Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Gustav Holst, Joseph Schwantner :: Eastman Wind Ensemble Live in Osaka

What is Band Music?

Clif Dodson | Jeffersonville, Indiana United States | 11/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, many musicians and dilettantes categorize band music as less in stature of that written for orchestra. Though major composers in history and present have used the orchestra as their main palette of tone colors to draw from, Many composers of stature have also chosen the wind band medium. Including Persichetti who began Parable 9 as an orchestra composition, but was later quoted as saying that the strings just "never came in" when he was composing it. Ponder for a moment the importance of what Donald Hunsberger has done. He has programmed a concert of wind band compositions, which comprise works from the major composers in history, and has taken them on tour in Japan. Japan, which at the time of performance is reported to have over 16,000 wind bands in operation. In the jacket notes, Hunsberger notes that the programming of Japanese concerts is typically heavy in the first half and lighter in the second half. His programming expertise shines in this recording. Certainly the Eastman wind ensemble has programmed a concert that attempts to define the eternal question "what is band music". In my opinion he has answered this question with the definitive stentorian response of the Eastman wind ensemble. Expect Hunsberger to adhere to score tempos, as I note that tempos are the main deviance from previous recordings of the same compositions. This recording would belong in the most discriminatory orchestral musician's library as well as the young band musician. This without doubt is True Music."

Simply magnificent ! ......

Clif Dodson | 06/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That an ensemble could play this beautifully is hard to imagine. If you've ever enjoyed a wonderful ensemble, a perfect concert, or a the thrill of a "tight", well-rehearsed concert band, you know then what to expect from this CD. The performances are great and the sound magnificent. The selection of music spans traditional to modern, and the ensemble rises to the occasion no-matter what the piece. A must-buy CD."

One Of The EWE'S Best!

"Bb" | NY | 02/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own many many of the Eastman Wind Ensembles Recordings and I have to say this is one of the greatest.
I have to say the Grainger works on this Cd are probably the best around, a great way to learn and to listen from the recording. The Shostakovich and Bach pieces are amazing as well
This is a Great CD of many Great Works by many great composers.
You will enjoy it!"