Search - Gordon Jacob, William Walton, Gustav Holst :: British and American Band Classics

Fennell - A Wind Band Pioneer

A. Wolverton | Crofton, MD United States | 03/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'British and American Band Classics' is a great disc for band lovers and music lovers in general. Frederick Fennell has been one of the top leaders in wind band music for decades. Here, one of his early recordings with the Eastman Wind Ensemble survives as a ground-breaking event in wind band music. Anyone not familiar with Gordon Jacob's "William Byrd" Suite, "Crown Imperial," or any of the other greats on this disc should check out what serious band literature is available. In fact, this music has been available for many years, and has stood the test of time. I would buy the disc just for Clifton Williams' "Fanfare and Allegro," one of the most exciting works for band ever written. It will get your blood pumping!Contrary to to other reviewers, these performances are not flawless. Intonation is a real problem that shows up especially in the William Byrd Suite, particularly in "The Earle of Oxford's March," and "The Bells." For me, the trumpets are too harsh in some of "Crown Imperial," but these factors wouldn't keep me from purchasing the disc. Remember, these recordings were made in 1958 and 1959...A lot has changed since then! However, no recording is perfect, and this one deserves a place in your collection of great music."

Classics played in High School Band

JMKellogg | 06/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How many of you remember High School Band? We played William Byrd Suite for district and state contest. When I heard this recording, I cried, what can I say. I will surely pick up other band classics performed by the Eastman Wind Ensemble. The Mercury CDs are about as good as you can get from the original recordings."

The Gold Standard for Symphonic Band Music

John B. Day | New Fairfield, CT USA | 12/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second of the two gold standard recordings of symphonic band music, the first being the prior Mercury recording of Fennel conducting the Eastman Winds performing the Holst overture and Vaughan Williams' Folksong Suite. The arrangement, the conductor, the performance, the interpretation are all perfect; one can only wonder what a current all digital master would sound like. Close call whether the vinyl through a tube power amp gives cleaner bass, but by all means get this CD for an indelible recording of unforgettable music."