For the 5 Browns, life hasn't been the same since the the Alpine quintet released its self-titled CD last year.
The group — Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody and Ryan — has been the talk of the classical-music scene, and recently embarked on a world tour. But they have also managed to stay in school and keep true to their Utah roots.
Last month, the 5 Browns released a sophomore album, "No Boundaries," which doesn't seem to have suffered from the curse of the "sophomore slump." Instead, "No Boundaries" finds itself on the top of the Classical Albums charts in Billboard magazine. And the siblings are gearing up for a return concert in Salt Lake City.
Desirae, Gregory and Ryan spoke by phone with the Deseret Morning News about the new album and the upcoming concert. Desirae called from her home in Alpine, while her brothers were conferenced in from New York, where they are attending Juilliard.
"The last time we played in Salt Lake City was at Kingsbury Hall last year," said Gregory. "We were working on our performance and working to get the bugs out. It is a challenge getting all five pianos together. I think we've got things down better this time. We're looking forward to playing Abravanel Hall."
"After the success of our first album," said Desirae, "we knew we had to make another. But we didn't feel a lot of pressure trying to top it. We just felt natural. We chose some music that we felt would best expand on what we did on the first album. So we went into the recording sessions confident."
The new album features the five siblings playing George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," a medley of Aaron Copland's "Simple Gifts" and Dvorak's "New World Symphony," and Stranvinsky's "Firebird (1911)."
The other tracks include Gregory and Ryan playing Lecouna's "Malaguena" from "Andalucia Suite"; Ryan's solo on Ginastera's "Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2"; Melody's solo on Liebermann's "Gargoyles, Op. 29"; Gregory's solo on Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody"; and Desirae and Deondra's take on Ravel's "Feria," from "Rapsodie Espagnole."
"We titled the album 'No Boundaries' because we wanted to broaden our horizons," said Gregory. "We had a lot of energy going in to the studio."
"It was natural for us once we got there," said Desirae. "Playing the piano solo for some of the sessions wasn't as difficult as you would think. It ended up feeling like we were playing in our living room."
With the new album sitting on top of the classical charts, and being honored last month by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., the 5 Browns are looking to other events in the near future. "We will be playing a Fourth of July concert at the Rose Bowl," said Ryan. "We're looking forward to that."
Highlights of this past year include playing with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and European and Japanese tours. "It was great to get out of the country," said Desirae. "And we were able to play in Brahms' hall in Germany, the place where he premiered a majority of his works."
The group is also proud to be hooking up with VH1's "Save the Music" program. "Save the Music" strives to restore music education in America's public schools and raise awareness of the positive impact music has on the youth. "Their goals are the same as ours," said Gregory. "It's important for us as young musicians to reach out to other young musicians."
Speaking of school, Ryan, Melody and Gregory are still studying at Juilliard, while Desirae and Deondra have graduated from that prestigious school. "It was interesting trying to get our schedules set for the tours and concerts," said Ryan, "but we managed."
If you go
What: The 5 Browns
Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 S. West Temple
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $19.50-$32.50
Phone: 355-2787 or 888-451-2787
Web: www.arttix.org
E-mail: scott@desnews.com