The 5 Browns [DualDisc]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Their story is truly one of the more unusual tales of classical music today. Pop music has produced world-famous examples of all-in-the-family groups (which typically gave way to one or two solo stars as the years passed). And of course there's the Trapp Family singers of The Sound of Music fame. But the sibling pianists known as the 5 Browns are in a category all their own. They've gotten mega-exposure from profiles on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and the like as the first example in the history of the esteemed Juilliard School of Music in which five members of the same family have won admission (scholarships at that!) and studied concurrently. But if this sounds like a P.T. Barnum publicity stunt, make no mistake: Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan are the real thing--musicians of intense dedication and talent. Their debut CD offers different perspectives on this pianistic quintet. It's not surprising that the literature isn't exactly overflowing with arrangements for five pianos--so only 4 tracks here actually have all ten hands busy tickling the ivories (arrangements of "Flight of the Bumblebee," West Side Story scenes, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from Grieg’s Peer Gynt). The flip DVD side includes videos of their amazing in-sync dexterity for "Flight" and the Bernstein excerpts, plus a charming interview introducing the very down-to-earth Browns. They talk about how they took to the piano, one by one, at a very early age and also point out that they remain each other's best friends, which helps them weather the stresses of the competitive classical performing arts world. Other tracks involve several four-hands settings and some solos (my own favorite is Melody's beautiful rendition of Debussy’s gorgeous "L'Isle joyeuese"). We're sure to hear more from this amazingly talented family--whether as a group or as soloists. --Sarah Chin

About the Artist
Classical music has 5 irresistible new champions, The 5 Browns (Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan). Having all attended Julliard where, for the first time in the school’s history, five members from the same family were accepted, these young American virtuoso pianists are eager to share the music they love. Featured on their debut album are some of classical music’s greatest works in new transcriptions for five pianos, as well as several surprises from the classical... read more

Album Description
CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album

DVD SIDE: * Entire Album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo * Video Performances: - Rimsky-Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumble Bee (arr. Jeffrey Shumway) - Bernstein: Scenes from "West Side Story" (arr. Kendall Briggs) * Exclusive interview footage with The 5 Browns This disc is intended to play on standard DVD and CD players. May not play on a limited number of models.

The 5 Browns [DualDisc]

Tracks:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble Bee
Bernstein: Scenes from West Side Story
Dukas: The Sorcerers Apprentice
Ravel: La Valse (po choraphique)
Friedman: Tabati usique, Op. 33 No. 3
Rachmaninoff: Moments musicaux, Op. 16 No. 4
Rachmaninoff: Ele from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3
Debussy: LIsle joyeuse
Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28
Bowen: Toccata, Op. 155
Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King, from Peer Gynt, Op. 23

Amazon.com

Their story is truly one of the more unusual tales of classical music today. Pop music has produced world-famous examples of all-in-the-family groups (which typically gave way to one or two solo stars as the years passed). And of course there's the Trapp Family singers of The Sound of Music fame. But the sibling pianists known as the 5 Browns are in a category all their own. They've gotten mega-exposure from profiles on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and the like as the first example in the history of the esteemed Juilliard School of Music in which five members of the same family have won admission (scholarships at that!) and studied concurrently. But if this sounds like a P.T. Barnum publicity stunt, make no mistake: Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan are the real thing--musicians of intense dedication and talent. Their debut CD offers different perspectives on this pianistic quintet. It's not surprising that the literature isn't exactly overflowing with arrangements for five pianos--so only 4 tracks here actually have all ten hands busy tickling the ivories (arrangements of "Flight of the Bumblebee," West Side Story scenes, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from Grieg's Peer Gynt). The flip DVD side includes videos of their amazing in-sync dexterity for "Flight" and the Bernstein excerpts, plus a charming interview introducing the very down-to-earth Browns. They talk about how they took to the piano, one by one, at a very early age and also point out that they remain each other's best friends, which helps them weather the stresses of the competitive classical performing arts world. Other tracks involve several four-hands settings and some solos (my own favorite is Melody's beautiful rendition of Debussy's gorgeous "L'Isle joyeuese"). We're sure to hear more from this amazingly talented family--whether as a group or as soloists. --Sarah Chin

Album Description

CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album

Customer Reviews:

Not all that impressed.......2007-06-01

I can't help but thinking that this is just another group of virtuoso kids that is being used for the fame of another. The music lacks fullness and invention, and tends to be a doubling of a lot of standard voicing. There is some ornamentation, and there's no doubt that each of these kids is a giften pianist, but as a group, I was not all that impressed. Cute group, though.

Fifty Very Talented Fingers..........2006-12-05

I got this CD for Christmas, and I was a little reluctant to listen to it, thinking "Oh what a yawn. Probably Mozart and Bach and--horror of horrors!--Rachmaninoff!" Well needless to say, boy was I wrong! I caught the name 'Bernstein' in the track listing, and although I had never really listened to Lenny's works, I always thought he sounded like an interesting guy, so in went the disc into the player, and on went 'Scenes from West Side Story.' I listened to it once. I listened to it twice. The third time I was hooked. I didn't recognize anything they were playing, but man it was good! It was awesome! The Browns' masterful piano version of Bernstein led me to explore deeper the marvellous music of West Side Story. To this day, after listening to recording after recording of Bernstein's West Side Story suites, the 5 Browns have a timeless rendition. It's positively brilliant. That's the only word for it--for them. They're glorious. Let classical music bore you no more, for the piano has found fifty VERY talented fingers to capture its beauty. Personally I think the very best track is West Side Story, but don't forget about The Flight of the Bumble Bee and the very fun In the Hall of the Mountain King. This is music at the height of its glory. And of course don't miss No Boundaries (note my review: I was the one who raved about The Firebird.) Enjoy, bambini!

The Browns are Great.......2006-08-04

I had vaguely heard of the Browns before I popped their CDs in my player. WOW!! What playing & what great enthusiasm. They obviously have fun making music together and they have the chops to make it exciting for the listener. Especially fun are the excerpts from Bernstein's West Side Story & Grieg's Peer Gynt. The DVD video bits are a nice bonus.

Outstanding Young Pianists.......2006-07-14

I was fortunate to see the 5 Browns in person therefore, it has been enjoyable to listen to the music that they performed in the concert. These 5 siblings are so refreshing and so talented. I recommend this CD to anyone who is looking for a CD that has outstanding piano music performed by 5 very talented young people.

Disappointed.......2006-06-07

BUYER BEWARE! When the CD Cover warns you that the "...audio side of this disc does not conform to CD specifications and therefore not all DVD and CD players will play the audio side of this disc." THEY ARE DEAD SERIOUS. I bought the album, tried it in FIVE different CD and CD/DVD players - NONE of them would play the CD. Fortunately, the retailer who I bought the CD/DVD from was willing to allow me to return it (sounds like they have had similar problems!) The 5 Browns are great artists, however, it is VERY disconcerting that their CD producers/manufacturers are putting these kind of limitations on their product.

Average customer rating:

Great
The 5 Browns & No Boundaries
A bit dissapointing
Plenty of speed, but little passion
Wow!

No Boundaries
The 5 Browns
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The 5 Browns
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ASIN: B000EQ47G8
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Tracks:

Rhapsody in Blue
Malaguena from Andalucia Suite
Simple Gifts/Going Home; Shaker Hymn\ Going Home
Full Stride Ahead (Rag)
Feria from Rapsodie Espagnole
Gargoyles, Op. 29; III. Allegro moderato
Gargoyles, Op. 29; IV. Presto feroce
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6
Variations on a Theme of Paganini
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2; I. Danza del viejo boyero (Dance of the Old Cowherd)
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2; II. Danza de la mozo donosa (Dance of the Delightful Young Girl)
Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2; III. Danza del gaucho matrero (Dance of the Artful Herdsman)
Valse and Romance; Valse
Valse and Romance; Romance
The Firebird (from the 1911 Version)

Album Description

CD AUDIO SIDE: Entire Album

DVD SIDE: - Music Videos: "Simple Gifts/ Going Home", "Firebird" and "Rhapsody in Blue" - Photo Gallery - PCM Stereo and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound mix

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2007-06-20

These talent kids are waesom they are just wounderful.

The 5 Browns & No Boundaries.......2007-01-15

Both CD's are very good. Great talent! Looking forward to the next CD.

A bit dissapointing.......2007-01-14

I guess I was expecting more of a Ferrante and Teicher thing with more than one piano going at a time ... could be that it is but, if so, am missing depth ... great family but disappointing album

Plenty of speed, but little passion.......2007-01-12

The essential problem with the 5 Browns is that no one (including the Browns) seems to understand who they really are. Are they serious classical musicians? Or are they just bouncy high-energy classical missionaries preaching to the un-converted who may not know Ravel from rap, but can be impressed by anyone who can play their instrument really really fast?

Because that's what the Browns excel at--playing really fast. Subtlety and nuance just aren't what these siblings are all about.

But maybe it's not them--maybe it's the Sony Records marketing geniuses who are telling them to lay off Clair de Lune. Look at the packaging. The photos and liner notes tell the story--these aren't your parents' classical musicians. The photos show laughing kids jumping in unison. The liner notes don't talk about the music, but about things like energy and joy and that it's okay to like classical music.

As serious classical musicians the Browns are undoubtedly technically gifted, but lack the lyrical and emotional depth of true artists. Far too often they mistake speed and rhythm for nuance and feeling. Their sheltered life at Julliard may have something to do with it--but whatever the reason, in the entire hour of music there's very little here that is moving. I'm inclined to want to check back with them in a decade or so after they've been knocked around by life a little and see how they play then.

This album is more even than their first, but doesn't reach the highs of either "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" or "Scenes from West Side Story" from their first album. Their arrangements are less intriguing, and the results are less fulfilling. The final benedictive chords of the Firebird come across as unsubtle chord-crashing when moved onto five pianos. It's always interesting, but rarely moving. I sat my wife down and played the Brown's Firebird finale back-to-back with Bernstein's version with the NY philharmonic. No comparison.

Yet only one cut really fails. Unfortunately, it was the one I was most hoping would be a success. The idea of weaving Copland's "Simple Gifts" with the largo from Dvorak's New World Symphony was brilliant. Unfortunately, the arrangement is uninspired and weak. They went mining for gold, and only found a little pyrite.

In the end, classical music fans will find this an interesting experiment, but not much more. Non-fans (which appear to be Sony's target audience) will like the gee-whiz go-power and energy. Perhaps the 5 Browns will serve the world best as recruiters for the classical cause, whose converts will go on to discover the Serkin's and Van Cliburn's of the world.

Final thought. While listening to the album I got a mental image of the 5 Browns recording the Minute Waltz. At the end of the take they look anxiously at the in-studio coach. "How'd we do?" they ask. The coach looks up from his stopwatch. "58.2 seconds," he says. Their heads drop. "Our personal best is 57-flat," one of them says. "Come on, guys, let's do it again. I know we can do a 56.5".

Wow!.......2007-01-10

I highly recommend this DVD/CD combo disc to appreciate that FIVE people play simultaneously in lock-step rhythm. Let alone, siblings. It is quite a feat to accomplish their task, and wholly resonated when you listen to the depth of tonal quality in their unique selections.

Average customer rating:

The 5 Browns
The 5 Browns
Manufacturer: Sony BMG Masterworks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FEBW76
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

Tale of Tsar Saltan; Flight of the Bumble Bee - The 5 Browns
Scenes from "West Side Story" - The 5 Browns
Sorcerer's Apprentice - The 5 Browns
Valse (Po Choraphique) - Deondra Brown,
Tabati Musique, Op. 33; Allegretto Gioviale, No. 3 - Melody Brown
Moments Musicaux, Op. 16; No. 4 - Ryan Brown
Morceaux de Fantaisie, Op. 3; Ele - Gregory Brown
Isle Joyeuse - Melody Brown
Sonata No. 3 in a Minor, Op. 28 - Ryan Brown
Toccata, Op. 155 - Gregory Brown
Peer Gynt, Op. 23; In the Hall of the Mountain King - The 5 Browns

Average customer rating:

The 5 Browns

Manufacturer: Sony / Bmg Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000A2H6UA
Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

Flight Of The Bumble Bee
Scenes From West Side Story
Sorcerer's Apprentice
Valse (Poeme Choregraphique)
Tabatiere A Musique, Op. 33, No. 3
Moments Musicaux, Op. 16, No. 4
Elegie From Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op.3
L'isle Joyeuse
Sonata No. 3 In A Minor, Op.28
Toccata, Op. 155
In The Hall Of The Mountain King. From Peer Gynt, Op.23

Album Description

The 5 Browns consist of 3 sisters and 2 brothers from an All American family of piano virtuosos. Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody & Ryan offer up their self titled debut featuring 11 total tracks. RCA Red Seal. 2005.