British military bands are as much a part of life in England as is the famous cup of tea! Just as the hot drink has its very own aroma, British bands have their very own imitable sound which is only to be found where it is ‘brewed’. Of course, there’s always an exception, such as when the highly decorated and well-versed Eastman Wind Ensemble and their experienced leader Frederick Fennell set their foot on English soil. The American musicians prove that they can do more than justice to Gordon Jacob’s arrangements of suite movements which William Byrd originally wrote for the harpsichord in the 17th century. With well-marked rhythmic contours and a freshness of tone, Fennell’s men pipe the music in lofty heights.
In Gustav Holst’s "Hammersmith" the ensemble really flexes its muscles and produces precisely the saturated, organ-like cascades of sound that only a wind band can.
The 'Eastmen' pull out all the stops, as it were, in Walton’s "Crown Imperial March", thus following the dramaturgical plan of this album which begins softly and dies away in splendour.

Tracks:

Gordon Jacob - Suite: William Byrd
1. The Earle Of Oxford's Marche
2. Pavana
3. Jhon Come Kisse Me Now
4. The Mayden's Song
5. Wolsey's Wilde
6. The Bells
7. William Walton - Crown Imperial: A Coronation March
8. Gustav Holst - Hammersmith: Prelude And Scherzo, Opus 52

Gordon Jacob: “William Byrd� Suite / William Walton: "Crown Imperial" - Coronation March / Gustav Holst: "Hammersmith" - Prelude and Scherzo for Military Band, Op. 52 - The Eastman Wind Ensemble conducted by Frederick Fennell

Recording: November 1958 at Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York, by C.R. Fine and Robert Eberenz
Production: Wilma Cozart

FREDERICK FENNELL conducting THE EASTMAN WIND ENSEMBLE British Band Classics Volume 2 (Original 1959 US promotional Mercury Living Presence Stereo 8-track LP, with 'for broadcast only' perimeter text printed both sides of the custom white labels. Contains three expertly recorded performances of Jacob's Suite: William Byrd, Crown Imperial March by Walton and Holst's Hammersmith: Prelude And Scherzo, material taken under the wing by British military bands. The front laminated picture sleeve reveals light spine wear only, the vinyl near mint with immaculate labels SR90197