It's a very high-quality ensemble and all its members are from the Berliner Philharmoniker, says local music critic Li Yanhuan.

They will play Henry Purcell's "Suite Abdelazer," Bach's "Jesus Meine Freude," "Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme" and "Brandenburgisches Konzert Nr. 3" as well as "Anonymus Scottish Dances" (Prince Edward's Paven, The Quene of Ingland's Paven, Paven and Galliard).

After intermission the ensemble will switch to more popular pieces, such as Bizet's "Suite Carmen," Mogens Andresen's "Three Swedish Tunes (Posaunenquartett)" and Glenn Miller's "Glenn Miller Story."

"The pieces before intermission are good for professional audience, showcasing a high standard of performing skills. The pieces afterward are rather pleasant and easy to understand, perfect for an ordinary audience," says critic Li.

The brasses include first trumpet Tamas Velenczei, first trombone Olaf Ott and French horn performer Sarah Willis.

Founded in the 1950s, the ensemble is the oldest among 13 chamber ensembles of the Berliner Philharmoniker. Depending on its modern blow techniques and its beautiful timbre, the brasses have a wide repertoire ranging from the Baroque to adaptations of many classical and original pieces.

"I suggest the audience pay attention to brass quintet compositions, which are rarely played. I think it will be a fresh and novel concert."

Also in the Shanghai Concert Hall, French cellist Gautier Capucon will kick off a three-month cello festival with a concert tonight.

The festival running until October 14 features three symphonies and four chamber concerts. World-renowned cellists David Geringas and Mischa Maisky, among others, will perform.

Capucon's concert will be an "Hommage a Elgar," including compositions by British composer Edward Elgar, this being his 150th birth anniversary year.

The 12 brasses concert
Date: July 21, 7:30pm
Tickets: 100-680 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall, 423 Yan'an Donglu
Tel: 962-288