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Mercury Living Prescence Boxed Set CD22 van 55
Eastman Wind Ensemble olv Frederick Fennell
Frederick Fennell Conducts Grainger, Persichetti, Khachaturian, Hartley, Rogers
'Lincolnshire Posy' is one of the greatest compositions written for wind band, and this is likely the definitive recording of the work. Frederick Fennell's (the conductor's) full score has become the definitive edition, since Grainger never published anything but a condensed score. The Eastman Wind Ensemble provides a tremendous performance of the piece, and of all the works on the album.
I must admit that I usually only listen to 'Lincolnshire' and 'Hill Song' because I'm a bit of a Grainger fan, but all the music if great, especially Persichetti's 'Symphony for Band' and Rogers' 'Three Japanese Dances'. If you're not familiar with Grainger, get this album and get familiar with him. He is one of the most important and best composers of the twentieth century, despite how little attention is paid to him outside the world of wind bands.
Of all of the excellent re-releases of the Fennell/Eastman Wind Ensemble recordings, this album is de rigueur for any connoisseur of music for band and wind ensemble. The famous Fennell sound is superbly exhibited in masterful interpretations of two of the most exquisite compositions written directly for winds: Lincolnshire Posy and Persichetti's Symphony for Band. For decades these recordings set the standard by which other performances were judged. The rest of the album is outstanding as well. A fundamental for any serious classical music discography.
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