Search - Regimental Band of the Coldstr :: Marches for the Connoisseur

It doesn't get any better than this!

Daniel E. Turkington | Danville, VA USA | 03/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album presents ample evidence that the Coldstream Guards are certainly one of the premier bands in the British Isles - in fact anywhere in the world (as good as any in the USA, which, of course, I normally have a preference for). The marches presented here were, naturally, written by a preponderance of English composers (13 of 23), but also include five selections each by American and German composers. About 2/3 of these are written in the military style, with the remainder best described as "concert" marches. The band produces a beutiful sound, well balanced with great dynamics between loud and soft parts, and favors the woodwinds and upper brasses, with lower brasses only heard (rather than "felt") occasionally in the 2nd and "break" strains to provide contrast. This "light touch" is even evident in the German marches! And for those of us who already have several versions each of the world's most popular marches in their collection, it is nice to acquire examples of fine marches that are less often recorded, not to mention accompanying notes that give information about obscure composers and their works.The first piece on this CD is "Washington Grays", written by Claudio S. Grafulla (1810-1880), who was born on the island of Menorca, off the coast of Spain, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 28, perhaps as a member of a band. He became a member of the Lothiers brass band, and eventually took over leadership of it in 1860, when it became known as the Seventh Regiment band, and directed it, with great success, for the last 20 years of his life. He was one of the earliest American march composers, writing in a style that is slower-paced and longer in duration than march writers that came later (this march, for instance, was published when J. P. Sousa was only five years old). The final selection, "Europe United", by Wilhelm Zehle, was written by what can only be described as an oddity, a German composer who wrote many marches specifically in a "British" style. Zehle (1876-1956), did this owing to winning a march composing competition sponsored by Hawkes of London, who he subsequently wrote other marches for, some of which may have had their titles changed to better suit a British audience. Since this march was written shortly before World War I, and is in a more "German" style than his "British" marches, it would seem that he did not have the present "European Union" in mind, but a less eqalitarian one which would have been more of an expanded Germany. Still, an appropriate title for our current time!This album will make a great addition to your march collection."

Marches for the Connoisseur

Alfred Tapia | Calais, ME | 10/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an outstanding blend of marches from Europe and America. The variety presented allows you to visit both continents and come away with your toes tapping. There are marches that may not be very familiar to most and this recording is a wonderful way to hear these fine examples of European composers. As usual, the Band of the Coldstream Guards performs in a sterling manner!"