WINDS IN HI-FI

Description

Winds In HiFi Percy Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy | Bernard Rogers: Three Japanese Dances | Darius Milhaud: Suite Française | Richard Strauss: Serenade in E-flat major, op. 7 – The Eastman Wind Ensemble conducted by Frederick Fennell Wind instruments make a big noise, are heard in the open air or in beer tents, and usually play marches and folk music. That’s the general consensus of opinion, and it is one that must be decidedly contradicted! Anyone who has ever experienced listening to a good wind ensemble knows that the ‘big blowers’ can certainly match a symphony orchestra when it comes to refined dynamics and magnificent sound. This finding has prevailed in America ever since the beginning of the 20th century, and therefore it is not surprising that the best ensembles are still to be found there. The Eastman Wind Ensemble is a model of a modern wind band and thanks to its flexible instrumental formation it has no problem with performing both older and more modern scores. Thus it is no wonder that four highly different composers are united in this album. Percy Grainger’s gripping arrangements of English folk melodies are happily found alongside Roger’s Japanese Dances and Milhaud’s wanderings through French provinces. And as an encore there are late-Romantic harmonies penned by the young Richard Strauss. Because all these works are original compositions, “Winds in HiFi” is an excellent introduction to music for wind instruments. Recording: March 1958 at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York, by C.R. Fine Production: Wilma Cozart and Harold Lawrence. Track Listings Grainger Lincolnshire Posy Rogers Three Japanese Dances Milhaud Suite Francaise Strauss Serenade in E Flat, Op.7