Canadian Brass is a brass quintet founded by Charles Daellenbach, Stuart La… Read Full Bio ↴Canadian Brass is a brass quintet founded by Charles Daellenbach, Stuart Laughton, and Gene Watts in 1970. In addition to maintaining a heavy touring schedule, the Canadian Brass have recorded nearly seventy albums. They have commissioned, performed, and recorded hundreds of transcriptions and original works for brass quintet. They are best known for their ability to seamlessly cross between classical and jazz styles. They are also known for their unique performance attire, consisting of black suits coupled with white gym shoes.

The current members are: Charles "Chuck" Daellenbach (tuba), Eugene "Gene" Watts (trombone), Bernhard Scully (horn), and the "Trumpet Dream Team" to fill the two trumpet positions on rotating basis. Dream Team members are: Ryan Anthony, Brandon Ridenour, Jeroen Berwaerts, along with previous members Josef Burgstaller, Ronald Romm and Stuart Laughton.

Past members include: Stuart Laughton (1970–1971, 2003–2005), Josef Burgstaller (2001–present), Jeff Nelsen (2000–2004), Ryan Anthony (2000–2003), Frederick Mills (1972–1996), Ronald Romm (1971–2000), David Ohanian (1986–1998), Martin Hackleman (1983–1986), Jens Lindemann (1996–2001), Christopher Cooper (1998–2000) and Graeme Page (1970–1983).

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Canadian Brass Lyrics

We have lyrics for these tracks by Canadian Brass:

Ain't Misbehavin' No one to talk with All by myself No one to walk…
All You Need Is Love Love, love, love Love, love, love Love, love, love There's …
Amazing Grace Ross Diana Miscellaneous Amazing Grace (John Newton) A…
America Some have said, down through history If you last it's a…
Angels We Have Heard On High Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing ov'r the plains…
Basin Street Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Black and Blue Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead Pains in my head,…
Blackbird Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken win…
Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…

Come Together Here come old flat top He come groovin' up slowly He got…
Eleanor Rigby Ah look at all the lonely people Ah look at all…
Fantasy Every man has a place, in his heart there's a…
Frosty the Snowman Frosty, the Snowman Was a jolly happy soul With a corncob pi…
Happy Christmas So this is Christmas and what have you done, Another year…
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be li…
High Society [Instrumental]…
I am the Walrus I am he as you are he as you are…
I Wanna Hold Your Hand Oh yeah I tell you somethin' I think you'll understand When …
In A Sentimental Mood / It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing It don't mean a thing If it ain't got that swing (doo…
Killer Tango и мы убегаем с тобой неизвестно в каком направлении я вижу…
little drummer boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Maxwell's Silver Hammer Joan was quizzical; studied pataphysical Science in the hom…
One Hand Oh yeah I tell you somethin' I think you'll understand When …
Someone To Watch Over Me There's a saying old says that love is blind Still were…
Sophisticated Lady Sophisticated lady tryin' to change my ways Just because you…
St. James Infirmary It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner…
St. Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate…
Sweet Songs Of Christmas Sweet songs of Christmas Good will and joy Wise men wonder W…
Swing That Music It don't mean a thing If it ain't got that swing (doo…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
The Little Drummer Boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
The Night Before Christmas Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house …
We Are the Champions I've paid my dues Time after time I've done my sentence B…

When I'm 64 When I get older losing my hair Many years from now Will…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS

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Comments from YouTube:

Mr C

4y↑353

As a violinist, I've never considered how lucky I am to be able to breath at will whilst performing, before watching this.

FUNUSBANDOFFICIAL

4y↑6

Haha nice

Caitriona ni giollariabhaigh

2y↑24

Lol. As a flautist, my response to you is… You don’t even know you’re born! Whenever I play Bach, I always dealing with how unbelievably difficult he makes it for woodwind/brass. I love listening to Bach, but whenever I play his music, my overarching thought is… Bastard!!!

Alan Cantrell

2y↑12

As a trumpet player my breath has often been taken away by the beauty and artistry of the string section…

Jamie Smith

2y↑20

As a tuba player, I breathe on the way to the concert knowing that might be the last time I get a chance.

dana hansen

2y↑4

As a singer, I'm right with you, man!

5 More Replies...

LocoFan611

1y↑46

Amazing! Since a pipe organ is a simulation of individually played instruments, how do we know that Bach didn't have this composition in mind? This arrangement not only demonstrates the great versatility of a pipe organ to provide many voices, but the virtuosity of the Canadian Brass performers and Fred Mills' amazing orchestration. Their timing is unbelievable. A beautiful piece.

Bill Klemm

4y↑79

It's always been remarkable to me that Fred and Ron were so lock-stepped in style and sound that it was difficult to distinguish one from another. That just makes these arrangements blend and flow so well.

Gregg Hurst

3y↑333

How can so many people give this a "thumbs down" ? They must be tone-deaf !!
This is magnificent arranging and performance!!

Esteban Tate

3y↑2

instablaster.

Gregg Hurst

3y↑1

@Frank Barone Ha-Ha

Agarn Willo

3y↑14

Organists!

ً

3y↑11

Eh, probably string players...

30 More Replies...

Louise Baranger

6y↑217

Fred was a true original. One of the finest people to walk the earth. He loved transcribing big orchestral and organ pieces for brass quintet. He always said, I'm not arranging them, I'm just orchestrating them. You can't improve on the original genius of these composers." Fred was modest to the end. This is surely one of his best.

Philippe Huysmans

2y↑7

Bach did exactly that for other composers he admired as Vivaldi...

Jessie Hernandez

2y↑4

Thank you for sharing

Thomas Sicard

It's a GREAT brass quintet arrangement, nevertheless... er,... orchestration...

Danny Popov

I had the pleasure and great fortune of studying with Fred, my trumpet idol and inspiration, at UGA. He will forever be missed.

Micah Butler

1y↑3

Being modest is very hard for tuba players. We know how awesome we are.

nunya biznez

4y↑469

I love when very good musicians take the music seriously but not themselves.

Cotton Candy Skies

3y↑7

Ikr🛐

Miguel Ramon Lorenzo

2y↑1

@Cotton Candy Skies bravo

HighStimulation

2y↑1

right on.

Philippe Huysmans

2y↑4

Precisely the case here, their jokes only show their immense respect for the Opus.

And good they are!

deborah colageo

The best combination!

turbostar101

2y↑28

Absolutely unbelievable performance on the part of the trumpets … to play with such speed and be perfectly synchronized is absolutely breathtaking. What a delightful composition, seemingly played effortlessly!! Bravo!!

Marty Schaefer

4y↑63

Fascinating! Years ago I played this on the organ (as it was originally written). Tradition is that Bach wrote it as a "demonstration" piece for testing newly constructed pipe organs in Germany. The wide dynamic range of an organ in a building with a five-second reverb is second to none. That said...this is a clever, creative arrangement, with an appeal all its own. The playing is remarkable.

Julie m

4y↑39

I saw them in concert when I was 11 yrs old! I was prepared to be bored as hell! They had me riveted with the first song as they walked behind us playing all the way to the stage :) as I grew, My talent grew because they inspired me.

3RTracing

4y↑109

I'll bet you that Bach would absolutely love this performance and arrangement of this work.

Rykehuss

I doubt it

Konrad the Wizzard

2y↑9

@Rykehuss I'm pretty sure he would have liked it. Although Bach was a rather severe christian composer and teacher, he's also the composer of the rather funny (for its time) coffee cantata (Kaffeekantate) and a few other funny pieces.

Bach was also known to liberally rearrange and change his own music all the time. For practical reasons. He had to provide a lot of music on many occasions - you have to adapt and be practical or you fail.

5 More Replies...

donald bradford

2y↑54

I play a trumpet in a big band and I've played with the symphony
These gentlemen are gifted beyond expression. Extremely dedicated, challenging and difficult . kudos

AVelez83012

9y↑136

This is by far magnificent, I can't find the words to describe how beautiful this arrangement is

Kaneya Das

6y↑6

además parece que las trompetas son celestiales

B Goff

6y↑452

Bach’s music sounds great for any ensemble because it’s so well written. A true genius..

Classical Playalongs

6y↑14

That's why it's called "absolute music". Because it works with any sort of instruments.

EKamal

5y↑4

the man who carries the giant instrument, he plays what bach did by his feet

Bunkyman

4y↑2

I have an album from back in the day of Bach played on harmonicas. Bach is a genius!

FUNUSBANDOFFICIAL

4y↑3

Yes he is very good. Also frescobaldi and buxtehude.

14 More Replies...

Борис Шалагінов

3y↑29

Я потрясён! Считаю, что каждому, кто изучает это произведение, следует прослушать это прекрасное исполнение. Доступна каждая нота про сохранении общего духового звучания.

かんぐちあき

5y↑43

I love this piece by Bach, and it's amazing how it sounds so good with brass! Bach was WAY ahead of his time 😎😎😎

Glen Osness

4y↑4

His music sounds great when played by piano, organ, brass or woodwinds!

Raimundo Moraes

41w

Interpretação maravilhosa!

James Moreland Oliver

2y↑18

Magnificent. It is astonishing to me how some people can achieve such technical mastery of instruments as difficult to play as the brass section.

Dr Bob

6y↑177

Phenomenal musicianship; Bach would be proud of you guys. You are all amazing players, but the trumpets do deserve extra rations.

altareggo

4y↑9

Really!!! I can't even IMAGINE playing some of the lines the trumpeters pull off so seamlessly here. ETERNAL PROPS to these Superb Musicians!!!

Don Garcia

4y↑7

I am in awe of the trombonist.

Walter Bushell

4y↑8

@altareggo You only think it's effortless. I heard about some one talking about how effortless duck move on the water. The fact is they are pedaling like hell.

Kennith Tubbs

4y↑1

Life is good

Kennith Tubbs

4y↑2

Doesn't get any better

4 More Replies...

Александр Павлов

2y↑3

Замечательная оркестровка и потрясающее исполнение музыкантами-виртуозами ! Браво!! Огромная благодарность автору ролика!

Alain Mare

1y↑4

Cet arrangement est absolument formidable et cet ensemble exceptionnel. Bravo messieurs pour cette interprétation magistrale !

Robert Adlington M0BOB

2y↑21

Absolutely, superb. It's a refreshing change to hear it played on brass instruments, rather than the organ.

Mark Nicholas

4y↑17

Mr. P.D.Q Bach himself! I did not know Peter Schickele was also Mr. Canadian Brass. I attended an entire Mozart-esque opera of his in Minneapolis about a hundred years ago (c. 1984) and loved every minute of it. These guys are astounding.

John Phelps

2y↑7

That was magnificent, I've always liked the classical organ renditions but this blew me away. Bravo to the players, they made it seem effortless when sustained precision was necessary. I've bookmarked it so can enjoy it again and again.

James Burnett

3y↑9

Stunningly accomplished. The precision of ensemble is a gem.

Brad Clifford

1y↑6

Good heavens. I ran out of breath just listening to this. These guys are inspiring. Played trumpet for 30+ years and never can make it through this song without stopping to catch my breath. It’s like trying to run a marathon at 20,000 feet.

MICHAEL LANCE

2y↑9

I love this! Bach is my favorite, and I love “Toccata and Fugue” in all forms. I believe this is the first time I’ve heard it in a brass ensemble. I like talented musicians who have a good sense of humor.

Jessie Hernandez

2y↑1

Played this piece when I was in high school, love it❤

David Rogers

3y↑16

This is still one of the most iinspiring, most enjoyable and most exact performances of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor played by any brass quitet. And the flourishes at 08:50 are marvelous! Oh how I would love to hear the CB live!!

felix rezola

This is JSB my friend.JSB!!

Mildred Kaye

2y↑44

This takes me back 40 years ago. I was invited by our school's music teacher to go to NY's Riverside Church. He had arranged to have him show him his organ; a pipe organ, of course. He had chosen to play Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D minor for us. I didn't realize it, but I was standing right in front of the bass pipes. After a couple of minutes the deepest tones are launched. I can only describe my sensation as having heebie-jeebies running up and down my spine. It was a sensation I'll never forget.

Nicholasmoore962@gmail

Hello Mildred

Rich Reed

Virgil Fox?

Vivienne Doonar

2y↑8

What an amazing transition from the grand organ sound. This is a great variation.

Janet Smith

2y↑5

Bach like never before heard! Magnificent arrangement and magnificently played!! Canadian Brass, you are superb musicians!!!!!!!!

DonnaLynn

3y↑11

This is as near perfection as is humanly possible. 🎼❤🎶

czarnick2

4y↑34

I miss Fred - these guys had some phenomenal chemistry as a group.

sissi Rebagliati

4y↑3

Bello sentire un classico suonato con strumenti che non ti aspettavi

Seth Sharkman

5y↑11

So many moving parts that come together as one coherent and grand piece; I love it!

Timothy Miller

3y↑11

I love the way that The Canadian Brass stays true to the original! 🇨🇦🇺🇸

ExEssex :

2y↑10

I've heard this played by all sorts of bands, including one of about 15 guitarists called Sinfonity. It sounds great by all of them. Well done Mr Bach!

Homzy Music

Breathtaking arrangement & performance - it advances all music -

Francisco Lima

2y↑3

MARAVILHA SENSACIONAL 👏👏👏👏👏🇧🇷

Kevin Garrett

Got introduced to Canadian Brass by a band teacher friend I marched drum corps with and then was lucky enough to see them live while at university. I was (and am), of course, in awe of their technical ability but the humor and personality on top of everything is just superb.

José João Aiex

2y↑1

Eles são incríveis! Já fizeram uma gravação magistral de "A Arte Da Fuga" e agora a "Toccata & Fuga em Ré menor". Acho que até Bach aplaudiria com entusiasmo.

Jacques FONTAINE

2y↑1

Mille félicitations , c'est superbe.La grande écriture de Bach ressort très bien.Quelle virtuosité ds les traits rapides.Merci.

antonio lettiero

2y↑2

Son cinco músicos de primera calidad.emiten el sonido limpio y puro . excelente.

Karen Blust

2y↑20

Incredibly difficult arrangement, but nearly perfectly executed! wonderful lovely masterful brilliant amazing beautiful awesome...!!!!! Thank you Canadian Brass!

Brian Ruskin

2y↑1

Wow!

NNN

5y↑28

Wow, this is suddenly my best version of Bach's Toccata😍

Christian Buczko

Well thats complete bollocks... this is one of the worst versions of this, and theres 5 musicians instead of the 1 it takes on an organ. And its far better on an organ.

Roger Jenkinson

4y↑2

@Christian Buczko it's a lot easier on the organ, the instrument it was written for, but still not easy. But 5 brass players gelling together harmon iously and rhythmically on such a complex piece. Amazing.

Doubting Thomas

Christian Buczko - A matter of personal taste, mate.

Spike's Pa

NNN I'll give it best brass version. The piece lends itself to many instruments. Even heard a great version on accordion. But it sounds its best best on a colossal church pipe organ, playing to the acoustics of the building.

Dave Van Etten

4y↑14

Greatest Quintet of All Time. This version is the best IMO. I heard them play with members of the New York Phil at Avery Fisher Hall and that was unreal - about 94-96' if I remember...

Thomas Thune

4y↑8

Canadian Brass has been one of my favorites from many, many years ago. Here they play one of my favorite compositions. This is done so well by so many venues that it is timelessly a favorite of many people groups around the world! Music is a language of its own! 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶

Matt Rost

2y↑2

Amazing! Hearing this played by brass instead of organ pipes is profound! Having been a trumpet player in my youth, I can certainly appreciate the difficulty of this piece with a brass ensemble instead of organ. BRAVO!!!!!

Winston Basilio

4y↑8

Como Bach fez uma música tão criativa, envolvente e tão complexa. Exigia muita inteligência e cálculos. Por isso é tão usada quando se mostra os astros do universo de Deus. Combina de fundo musical.
Parabéns aos canadenses! Brasil dando Like aqui!

GUILLERMO AMADO

2y↑6

Que hermosura de interpretación con solo instrumentos de viento, y que belleza de instrumentos

Maureen McClintock

3y↑5

A totally awesome rendition of Bach's fuge!!!

Eijzman

5y↑9

I'm mesmerised by this performance. The execution is outstandingly beautifull.

Oswald Anthony

1y↑1

The best music never dies...

einst35

3y↑5

It's perfect! a great interpretation of the magic tocatta of Bach

Judy Parent

Phenomenal musicians!

Scott Larock

2y↑6

This is wonderful.
For fun, listen to part of the song watching the video and then close your eyes for some of it.
It lives in your head in such a different way when your eyes are closed.

David Weiss

2y↑4

Every arrangement gives me chills. No less this one.

Joel Stein

2y↑4

I've been a fan ever since their rennaissance album back in the seventies. Thanks for reminding me how great they are.

Zbigniew Lipski

To brzmienie jest niezastąpione. Świetnie się go odbiera.

Cabeca

10y↑28

Flat out, awesome! I saw these guys live,back in the 80's.

Eva4 Adam

2y↑2

Briljant arrangement.
Fantastic musicians

Scott Mayer

1y↑1

WOW I have heard this piece on a organ a pipe organ a harpsichord piano and a harp but never covered in brass that was absolutely outstanding thank you

jvargas454

5y↑23

I have a new respect for the trombone. And to the amazing skill of breathing and all the while, pushing air into the instruments continuously. Amazing.

John Heywood

3y↑1

Do u by any chance play trombone? I do n can c both the air control, coordination of when to breath n maintaining faster tempo is little understood by many.

jvargas454

@John Heywood Hi Johnny, I didn't see this posting until tonight. I do not play a wind instrument, but I surely can appreciate the years of study and practice. My daughter play classical piano. I use to play guitar. (I have Parkinson's now.) This is truly one of my favorite compositions.

Carlo Alberto Bortolotti

4y↑1

Esecuzione splendida di uno dei brani di tutta la musica che più amo!!!

Andi H.

1y↑1

Hätte es nicht für möglich gehalten, wenn ich es nicht gerade eben gesehen hätte. Fantastisch! Gänsehaut und Dauergrinsen, Wahnsinn! Danke fürs Hochladen 👍🏻

Roman

Znakomita technicznie i perfekcyjnie wykonana... profanacja.

Andres Hernandez

1y↑1

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo, mis felicitaciones, excelente, muchas gracias, la verdad que sí.

Harry Potter

2y↑1

Brillante virtuosité ! Remarquable.

Dennis Rickman

2y↑2

I've heard toccata played in harp pipe organ and even an electric guitar ensemble and I never fails to leave me in breathless awe

Philip Byrnes

2y↑3

Simply magnificent, thank you so much

LittleDuckVideos

2y↑1

La obra de Bach es genial, y este arreglo suena fenomenal. Cuando vi el anuncio del video, dudé en escucharlo. Despues de oírlo, externo mi más efusiva felicitación por tan extraordinaria idea y ejecución.

Godngunclinger

Outstanding!⭐⭐⭐⭐

David Smith

2y↑5

I wonder if Bach had any notion how loved and admired this piece would be 300 years later.

Charles Bishop

6y↑11

Most unusual but, totally excellent arrangement. BRAVO!

fernan marin

6y↑1

QUE TALENTO, QUE MARAVILLOSA INTERPRETACIÓN.

Alicia Smith

2y↑11

It's only the few minor "fracks" that give indication that they are indeed... human. For they have accomplished the near impossible! Bravo! Well done!

Mike Franzusan

1y↑1

A masterclass in circular breathing. This is impressive!

osmiridium

It's not real circular breathing if you're not wondering how they're still conscious

Susie Henderson

This took my breath away 💞🎺 I loved every moment of the performance 😮🙌

Enrique Cancino

Fantastically done! These guys are so good individually but as a quintet there's no equal! Bravo gentlemen!

Paulo Roberto

2y↑1

Bravíssimo!!!!

Pufango

It’s usually played on a wind instrument a huge organ ! Excellently played

Stephen Caine

6y↑46

So miss the original group. Masters of their instruments. These guys ushered me into college music and have no equal.

Trey

They're called the original Empire Brass. But, yeah, kudos to the great Canadian Brass!

Connie Titus

My love for Fred, Ron, Gene and this original quintet revived. Saw them in concert 1980ish, they blessed us with a ballet - literally. Ready to get out all my old CD's. Thank you for sharing.

BKF

4y↑3

Fred had a crystalline tone to his pic playing that I've always loved. Very pure.

John D. Smith

6y↑14

Perfect! Love this performance.

EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS

2y↑2

OMG....what a world class performance!!

Юлия Петровна

4y↑1

Спасибо Вам! Браво!👍👏👏👏

Mary Cavender

4y↑6

I had a CD of this group years ago. My talk about musicianship! A very difficult piece to be played so synchronized and clean!This is a 5+Star. Rating! Great job...!Would love to hear more of the same!

Peter Bayliss

Not as good as being played on a organ

Mary Cavender

To play this piece with an ensemble with the skills and techniques and virtuosity these guys do s superb job which is a rare feat in and of itself! Their chops and air support are phenomenal!👍

Fernando R Souza

2y↑2

Great musicians! I loved the sounds. Thank You!

Leonaldo Brum

2y↑6

The incredible genius of Johann Sebastian Bach always needs talented people to be able to play his music... regardless of the instrument choice 😊

VeeJay Vargas

6y↑13

With surgical precision! On Point!! Just ~ GOLD. 🙌

Aodhgan Merrimac

2y↑3

Truly amazing!

Phemida Ivanova

3y↑4

Интересно было послушать классику в таком исполнении.

Robb

2y↑3

This was amazing! Majestic.

wccroft50

2y↑1

I used to play trumpet, so this is amazing. Well done!!!!

Malcolm Marshall

2y↑1

Never herd this played like this amazing

Thomas

Most excellent!!
Marvelously played!!

LuckyTrucker1

6y↑1

Fantastically arranged and masterfully played , thank you .

Ken Albertsen

2y↑4

as a musician for well over a half century, I am roundly impressed. Thanks!

Kim Smeltzer

2y↑3

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it with my own ears! BRAVO!

socialite

Marvellous! Better on an actual pipe organ but a brilliant transcription for brass players to to demonstrate their skill and absolute mastery of their instruments.

Gordon Cherry

Utterly awesome....they set the bar for virtuoso brass ensemble artistry. I believe this was from the mid 70's, as the late Fred Mills left the NACO around 1972 or so.