There are brass ensembles in many countries, but phil Blech Wien (the name is an informal way of saying "Vienna Brass Philharmonic") has a uniquely Viennese flavor. This ensemble, with percussion, draws on deep Viennese traditions in its music-making. The idea for phil Blech Wien came during a concert tour mounted by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 2010. The goal, in the words of the players, was "to maintain and foster the Viennese brass and percussion tradition, but also give that tradition new impetus." The musicians were drawn from not only the Vienna Philharmonic but also from other respected Viennese orchestras; all studied in Vienna and were deeply rooted there. The players recruited as conductor Anton Mittermayr, a Vienna Philharmonic percussionist who is also an instrument builder and embodies the living link between instrument-building and orchestral music-making in Vienna. Phil Blech Wien consists of 15 musicians in all, five trumpeters, three hornists, three trombonists, a tuba player, two percussionists, and the director. Moreover, the sonorities evoke the sounds of indigenous Viennese brass ensembles with the combination of rotary-valve trumpet, Viennese horn, and Viennese timpani. The group has quickly become an integral part of Viennese musical life. Signed to the Deutsche Grammophon label, phil Blech Wien released its self-titled debut album, featuring works by Verdi, Wagner, and other composers, in 2013. That year, the group appeared in an intermission film at the Vienna New Year's Concert, performing an arrangement of Joaquín Rodrigo's Fantasia para un gentilhombre for guitar. In 2015, phil Blech Wien issued the Christmas album Weihnachten. The group has accompanied tenor Piotr Beczala, the Vienna Boys' Choir, and the Chorus Viennensis. In 2019, phil Blech Wien made its debut at the Vienna Musikverein hall with organist Olivier Latry; after a pandemic-caused delay, that performance was released as the album Live from Vienna in 2022. ~ James Manheim, Rovi