[.ca] West Point Symphony

One Word: Contrabassoon!:
What a strange and wonderful collection of band music. I especially like the solos for piccolo, bass clarinet, and CONTRABASSOON. The brass harmonies in Hohvaness are a perfect example of erethreal beauty. The ominous CONTRABASSOON solo is very different to hear in a band work. The marimba solos are in 19/8 and 20/8 meter. The other works are also wonderful to listen to.

Great Performances, Great Music:
We lovers of music for symphonic band owe a lot to the pioneering recordings of Frederick Fennell and the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Here are three wonderful performances of three classic band works. Gould's West Point Symphony is full of martial spirit, but is tender and expressive as well. Giannini's Symphony is bold and exuberant, with a wistful slow movement. Hovhannes work is full of Eastern atmosphere, with it's long melismic solos and evocative brass chorales. Together, under the expert direction of Fennell and his associate, A. Clyde Roller, they make for a richly varied and thoroughly enjoyable program.

• West Point Symphony - Epitaphs
• West Point Symphony - Marches
• Symphony No. 3: Allegro energico
• Symphony No. 3: Adagio
• Symphony No. 3: Allegretto
• Symphony No. 3: Allegro con brio
• Symphony No. 4, Op. 165: Andante
• Symphony No. 4, Op. 165: Allegro
• Symphony No. 4, Op. 165: Andante espressivo