Bolcom Trombone Concerto
New York Philharmonic/Gilbert, David Geffen Hall, New York
William Bolcom’s Trombone Concerto was the centrepiece of a modernist programme
Read the entire review here:
https://www.ft.com/content/ddc05bf4-d409-11e6-b06b-680c49b4b4c0
"The eve...
- Financial Times
January 17, 2017
Bolcom Trombone Concerto reprise
"Then he led a feisty, colorful account of William Bolcom’s fantastical, blues-tinged Trombone Concerto, written for the Philharmonic’s superb principal trombonist, Joseph Alessi, who played dazzlingly. The orchestra gave the premiere of this pie...
- NY Times
December 30, 2016
William Bolcom Trombone Concerto
"On Friday the mood was festive for a program offering a look at what’s going on with American concertos these days. It began with the premiere of William Bolcom’s Trombone Concerto, featuring the Philharmonic’s formidable principal trombonist,...
- NY Times
June 12, 2016
Bolcom Trombone Concerto
"For fans of the trombone, a wonderful instrument that has been the object of musician jokes since the sackbut era, Bolcom’s remark that “The trombone is very well able to defend itself,” was particularly welcome. The crowd was relatively small...
- newyorkclassicalreview.com
June 11, 2016
John Mackey Harvest
Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic, played with satin-finished tone and effortless virtuosity.
- Dallas Morning News
March 28, 2013
Wagner Trombone Concerto
A substantial, well-crafted piece, it exploits the beauty of Mr. Alessi's sound as well as the trombone's high register"..."Mr. Alessi played his part with a liquid tone and consummate skill.
- Wall Street Journal
March 14, 2007
Wagner Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
The soloist in the work was the man for whom it was written: the Philharmonic's principal trombone, Joseph Alessi. He is a first rate instrumentalist, with a clear, elegant sound ó rounded and unblaring ó and gobs of technique. Also, he has a sense...
- New York Sun
February 27, 2007
Wagner Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
To balance the mellow trombone ó played with a beautiful, burnished richness by Joseph Alessi, for whom the piece was written ó the composer pitched her work dark: lots of viola, cello, bass and other trombones anchored the music.......
- NY Times
February 24, 2007
Bramwell Tovey's Urban Cabaret
One of the highlights of the concert was undoubtedly the sheer brilliance displayed by the soloist, Joseph Alessi. His first half offering of Tovey's own composition, Urban Cabaret, inspired by images of the soloist stuck in traffic in Manhattan, ent...
- British Bandsman
April 22, 2006
Filas Concerto
"Soloist Joseph Alessi handled the part splendidly...a fiercely dramatic player with reserves of emotional clarity......he turned the solo into a display of personal heroism, vaulting through Filas' arching melodies with ardor and imparting a darkly ...
- San Francisco Chronicle
April 7, 2005
T-Bone Concerto
The concerto also profits tremendously from soloist Joseph Alessi's ardent championship, bold sound and easy virtuosity. Alessi, principal trombone since 1985 of the New York Philharmonic, boasts a timbre that has point as well as roundness.
- Arizona Republic
March 21, 2004
Illuminations
...ironclad tone, formidable technique, and huge dynamic range have to be heard to believe.
- American Record Guide
March 1, 2004
Rouse Concerto
Alessi showed himself to be an exceptional artist, joining together Rouseís lines in such a way that phrases had direction and made musical sense. His skill at maintaining an attractive sound in all registers and his rhythmic steadiness were notable...
- The Virginia-Pilot
January 1, 2004
One4J
"Alessi's open horn work on "El Camino Real" is the very essence of virtuosity....."
- Blues on Stage
September 1, 2003
Rota Concerto
The Trombone Concerto by Nino Rota gave us the opportunity to appreciate the trombone in the virtuosi and lyrical facets so little exploited in the concert hall. The soloist demonstrated great technical agility, sense of ensemble and an impeccable h...
- El Vocero, San Juan, P.R.
April 1, 2003
Fandango/NY Phil
If more trombonists made that instrument sound as Mr. Alessi does, perhaps we 'd have more music for trombone.
- New York Sun
July 22, 2002
Rouse Concerto
Alessi, who plays principal trombone with the New York Philharmonic and who premiered the work with that orchestra, is the perfect candidate for Rouse\'s explosive style. With pinpoint intonation, snappy staccato tonguing and overwhelming power, he m...
- Birmingham News
January 1, 2002
Pugh Concerto
The program opened with two works............ and the well-crafted Trombone Concerto from 1992 by James Pugh, essentially a pops orchestra piece that gave the Philharmonicís excellent principal trombonist, Joseph Alessi an opportunity to shine.
- New York Times
March 1, 2000
Pugh Concerto
Alessi was spellbinding in his display of tonal range and expressive parameters. The finale was all spectacular virtuosity on Alessiís part capped by a cadenza of breathtaking aplomb and flexibility.
- Santa Barbera News - Press
November 1, 1999
Grondahl Concerto
Alessi played with consummate artistry.
- Santa Barbera Independant
November 1, 1999
NY Legends
Joseph Alessi produces an uncommonly seductive sound at all dynamic levels and possesses well-nigh perfect intonation
- Classic CD Magazine
December 1, 1998
Serocki Concerto
The soloist - here the flawlessly playing American trombonist Joseph Alessi...great applause for Alessi
- Manheim Morgan
May 1, 1998
Serocki Concerto
ì...he wore the limelight like a suit from Savile Row..a wonderfully elegant player, drawing from the bell of his horn a magic actís worth of tender phrases, raucous slides, leeping lines and stentorian bellows...
- New York Newsday
December 1, 1997
Serocki Concerto
...extraordinary accuracy and rhythmic dexterity...His variety of sound, from drainpipe low drones to trumpetlike high notes, was remarkable.
- New York Times
December 1, 1997
Rouse Concerto
Joseph Alessi tackles the virtuoso solo part marvellously. His sonority and projection in all registers, crystal clear articulation and eloquent phrasing deserve a bigger audience than simply brass enthusiasts.
- BBC Magazine
November 1, 1997
NY Legends
...a real find...
- Borders Books and Music
March 1, 1997
NY Legends
One of the best trombone recordings ever made..superb tone quality at all dynamic registers
- American Record Guide
March 1, 1997
Rouse Concerto
...the Essential Purchase of 97, Alessi has the edge...
- Twentieth Century Music
March 1, 1997
Rouse Concerto
...burnished tone, concentration, and virtuosity...
- Boston Globe
January 1, 1997
Rouse Concerto
Alessi displayed impeccable technique and exquisite phrasing
- Rocky Mountain News
February 1, 1995
Rouse Concerto
The incredible Alessi had it all
- San Jose Mercury News
August 1, 1994
Slide Area
The purity and excitement of Alessi's playing are breathtaking
- Fanfare Magazine
February 1, 1993
Rouse Concerto
a stunningly virtuosic performance by Joseph Alessi.
- New York Times
January 3, 1993
Rouse Concerto
His technique and powers of musical expression were flawless
- New York Daily News
January 2, 1993
Slide Area
Some of the best trombone playing I have ever heard
- American Record Guide
January 1, 1993
Rouse Concerto
...magnificently performed...
- Denver Post
February 1, 1992
Creston Fantasy
Joseph Alessi, the Philharmonic's principal player, was absolutely splendid
- New York Times
April 1, 1990
Mahler's 3rd Symphony
Joseph Alessi's performance in the first movement is unsurpassed on records
- Musical America
March 1, 1990
Serocki Concerto
The remarkable clarity of Alessi's trombone brought bravos from the house.
- The Lincoln Star
November 1, 1986
