Brahms By The Bridge

The Bridge Sextet, a vocal quartet and piano duo, was formed in 1983 by alumni and faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to explore repertoire written and arranged for this combination of musicians. This unique group has performed extensively to wide public acclaim and has accumulated radio and television credits in the U.S., Germany, Italy, Australia, Thailand, and Africa. Their concerts include a wide variety of engaging repertoire ranging from Brahms to Sondheim. Several composers from the San Francisco Bay Area have also written compositions for the sextet.

The Bridge Sextet Members:

Mimi Ruiz, soprano
Sarah Johnson, messo-soprano
Michael Matson, tenor
Hermann Le Roux, baritone
Catherine and Anthony Angelo, pianists

Here is a "seductive, breezy rendition of the sunny Brahms (Liebeslieder) Waltzes." (Riek van Rensburg, The Sun, London) This CD contains both the Liebeslieder Waltzes Op. 52 and the Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes Op. 65. Included also are three "sparkling" madrigals by Haydn and a "delightful" rendition of Gregg Smith's amusing "The Boy and his False Alarms" from "Aesop's Fables."

"The Bridge Sextet's interpretations are notable for their "intimacy, freshness, and pure joy." (The Sun)

"The Singers were first rate, as were the two pianists... The popular four-hand transcription of 'The Hebrides Overture' by Mendelssohn and vocal works by Elgar, Vaughan Williams and a bouquet of music from Gilbert and Sullivan allowed the outstanding soloists to be heard in turn." (Wyatt Insko, The Diapason)