Album Notes

These are songs of the Civil War played by a 5-piece brass quintet from central Pennsylvania. "When Music Was Live" is a re-creation of the music played by the local and military bands during the Civil War. Radio had not been invented yet and all music was performed live. You will find this music easy to listen to in quiet moments; the melodies will stay with you long after the CD has ended. There are many up beat pieces, patriotic tunes and some beautiful but somber melodies. You will be able to experience the emotional times of the Civil War re-lived through its music. The instrumentation of the quintet is the same as in that period and consists of an Eb cornet, a Bb cornet, Eb bass, Eb alto horn and a tenor trombone. Some period instruments are used along with some replicas. The arrangements are close to authentic, some taken directly from music published at that time. If you have not heard music played by a brass group similar to this, you will be pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the sound is. We invite you to take a trip back in time with the Coburn Brass, "When Music Was Live".