Septura
Brass septet
At a glance
Septura
Brass septet
Virtuoso playing: glossy, brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless.Anna Picard, BBC Music Magazine
Septura brings together London’s leading players to redefine brass chamber music through the uniquely expressive sound of the brass septet.
Biography —
Artistic Directors: Simon Cox & Matthew Knight
Septura brings together London’s leading players to redefine brass chamber music through the uniquely expressive sound of the brass septet.
By creating a canon of transcriptions, arrangements and new commissions for this brand new classical configuration, Septura aims to re-cast the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium.
Currently Ensemble in Residence at the Royal Academy of Music, London, the group is recording a series of 10 discs for Naxos Records, each focused on a particular period, genre and set of composers, creating a ‘counter-factual history’ of brass chamber music.
The first five discs have received critical acclaim, described variously as “brilliantly done” (Fiona Maddocks, The Observer), “dazzlingly polished” (Anna Picard, BBC Music Magazine) and “brass playing at its most exalted” (Robert Markow, Fanfare). The sixth disc was recorded in 2017 for release in late 2018. In addition, Christmas with Septura was released in November 2016.
is ever-increasing repertoire into captivating live events, Septura is gaining a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and imaginative programming. Following a successful 17-18 season – featuring the group’s debut concert series, Kleptomania at St John’s Smith Square London, and tours to Switzerland, Germany and the USA – in 18/19 Septura will perform brand new programmes across the UK, and as far away as New Zealand and Japan.
Septura’s members are the leading players of the new generation of British brass musicians, holding principal positions in the London Symphony, Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Basel Symphony and Aurora orchestras.
News —

Septura on Tour
Septura embark this afternoon on a short UK tour of 'An American in Paris' Read more

SEPTURA continues groundbreaking series of Naxos recordings with new album of English music
Following their busiest concert season to date, with debuts in the USA, Germany and Switzerland, Septura return with their sixth recording in a 10-disc deal for Naxos, Music for Brass Septet 6: Elgar, Finzi, Parry, Walton, released on 12 October 2018. Read more

Septura embark on debut American tour
Septura will open their first American tour tonight in Oklahoma. The group will give ten concerts in eight states, in a tour that spans the entire height of the country from Illinois to Texas. Read more

Pioneering brass chamber music group Septura joins Ikon Arts Management
By creating a canon of transcriptions, arrangements and new commissions for this brand new classical configuration, Septura aims to re-cast the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium. Read more
Photos —





Reviews —
If you like English pastoral music, and the sound of brass, this album is irresistible
Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian
I heartily recommend Septura to anyone who likes chamber music, even if he/she is not a brass fan in particular. I have certainly been converted to the unique sound world of the brass septet.
Nahoko Gotoh, Bachtrack
The standard is absolutely higher than brass playing has ever been before
Alison Balsom, BBC Radio 2
Virtuoso playing: glossy, brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless *****
Anna Picard, BBC Music Magazine
British brass playing is the envy of the world, and when you hear Septura you can hear exactly why
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal, Royal Academy of Music
This is brass playing at its most exalted
Robert Markow, Fanfare
Beautifully intoned
Paul Driver
Some of the most perfect technical execution in brass performance recorded to date
Tom Davoren, Brass Band World
The sound of Septura is exceptionally beautiful – warm and rounded but with dazzling brilliance too when required...the perfection of ensemble, balance and intonation is striking
Nick Barnard, MusicWeb International
An uplifting debut from a magnificent seven *****
Fiona Maddocks, Observer
It’s an inspired idea to take classical pieces and rearrange them for brass septet. It’s a unique combination of instruments, and it produces a unique sound, which I love
John Suchet, Presenter, Classic FM
A recital of pure gold
Ritmo
Beautiful from beginning to end
Barry Kilpatrick, American Record Guide
Selected Discography —

Music for Brass Septet 6: Elgar, Finzi, Parry, Walton

Fauré, Ravel, Debussy: Music for Brass Septet 5

Christmas with Septura
BBC Music MagazineA recital so entertaining that the missing words don’t matter *****

Gabrieli, Lassus, Palestrina, Victoria: Music for Brass Septet 4
Paul DriverBeautifully intoned

Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Rachmaninov: Music for Brass Septet 3
Fiona MaddocksBrilliantly done *****

Handel, Purcell, Rameau, Blow: Music for Brass Septet 2
Anna Picard, BBC Music MagazineDazzlingly polished…this is virtuoso playing: glossy, brilliantly articulated, audaciously coloured, technically flawless

Brahms, Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Schumann: Music for Brass Septet
Fiona Maddocks, The ObserverUplifting debut from a magnificent seven *****
Related Media —
Debussy: The Girl with the Flaxen Hair – Septura with Phil Cobb
View on YouTubeDebussy: Minstrels live in the USA
View on YouTubeIn the Bleak midwinter (Darke) – Christmas with Septura
View on YouTubeShostakovich: 8th String Quartet for Brass Septet – Septura
View on YouTubeHandel: Suite from 'Rinaldo' for Brass Septet – Septura featuring Matthew Gee (trombone)
View on YouTubeDownloads —
Contact —
Name
- Hannah Marsden