What?s not to like about classical music?
Maybe some think it?s boring. Maybe it makes others feel old, or they think that liking Liszt and Gershwin makes them a nerd. A person may even have to sneak around the music store in a hat and sunglasses when they want to pick up a Mozart symphony because they are afraid their friends might catch them.
Despite the typical stereotype, The Browns are a different story. All five siblings were awarded scholarships to the Julliard School of Music, a historical first at Julliard. None of them are embarrassed about classical music. In fact, Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody and Ryan are proud of being piano prodigies, and are not afraid to show it.
Their story is truly one of a kind, a tale of classical worth that all should know. After releasing their first self-titled album, The 5 Browns in February, the siblings have come out with yet another musical compilation, titled No Boundaries, a compilation of classical music both well known and rare.
There are no boundaries to this CD. Songs without words are the best songs, and a song with fifty fingers flying around at once on five Steinway grands is even better.
Their album begins powerfully with Gershwin?s ?Rhapsody in Blue,? a ten-minute piece that showcases the siblings? talent as a quintet. Their performance continues as brothers Gregory and Ryan perform Lecouna?s ?Malaguena,? a speedy Spanish tune with a steady beat and a powerful ending.
With the third song, the five try a different approach. They perform together with a calmer, subtler composition, ?Simple Gifts/Going Home,? derived from pieces by both Aaron Copland and Antonin Devorak. Together, these songs mimic a feeling of singing a hymnal, and are two of the only tranquil songs among the chosen masterpieces.
The fingers fly through tracks one to fifteen, with scores of beautiful music both wild and moving. Whether in a quintet, a duo, or individually, these brothers and sisters have found a way to harmonize beautiful music and, with unique arrangements, make songs original.
Only one song, the two movements of ?Gargoyles? by Lowell Lieberman, could have been left out of the otherwise flawless album. Though the most modern composition within the disc, these songs are monotonous and are rather dry within their measures.
Despite ?Gargoyles? four minutes and forty-nine seconds, No Boundaries is something for anyone looking for freshness as well as a little culture. The 5 Browns were a thrill to listen to and should be enjoyable for most, and embarrassing for none.
Both The 5 Browns in February and No Boundaries can be bought at any local music supplier. For more information on the siblings and their albums, visit www.the5browns.com.
