Fennell Interpretation
For Band Conductors / Teachers, there is no better conducting interpretation than those of Frederick Fennell. Tho these recordings are not new recordings, they are still viable interpretations. Glad to see them still available.

Symphonic Band Memories
I bought this album primarily for the "Symphonic Songs for Band" suite by Robert Russell Bennett and the "Fanfare and Allegro" By Clifton Williams. They are the favorite pieces I was privledged to participate in performing while a member of the Cal Poly symphonic ban in the 70's. I also remember performing them in high school. I was not disappointed in purchasing this disc! The performances captured here are excellent! The music sends chills down my spine .... I highly recommend the entire album for anyone interested in the genre of symphonic band music!

Fennell - A Wind Band Pioneer
'British and American Band Classics' is a great disc for band lovers and music lovers in general. Frederick Fennell has been one of the top leaders in wind band music for decades. Here, one of his early recordings with the Eastman Wind Ensemble survives as a ground-breaking event in wind band music.

Anyone not familiar with Gordon Jacob's "William Byrd" Suite, "Crown Imperial," or any of the other greats on this disc should check out what serious band literature is available. In fact, this music has been available for many years, and has stood the test of time. I would buy the disc just for Clifton Williams' "Fanfare and Allegro," one of the most exciting works for band ever written. It will get your blood pumping!

Contrary to to other reviewers, these performances are not flawless. Intonation is a real problem that shows up especially in the William Byrd Suite, particularly in "The Earle of Oxford's March," and "The Bells." For me, the trumpets are too harsh in some of "Crown Imperial," but these factors wouldn't keep me from purchasing the disc. Remember, these recordings were made in 1958 and 1959...A lot has changed since then! However, no recording is perfect, and this one deserves a place in your collection of great music.

The Gold Standard for Symphonic Band Music
This is the second of the two gold standard recordings of symphonic band music, the first being the prior Mercury recording of Fennel conducting the Eastman Winds performing the Holst overture and Vaughan Williams' Folksong Suite. The arrangement, the conductor, the performance, the interpretation are all perfect; one can only wonder what a current all digital master would sound like. Close call whether the vinyl through a tube power amp gives cleaner bass, but by all means get this CD for an indelible recording of unforgettable music.

Hold On To Your Socks!
I waited sixteen years for this recording to become available again, after first hearing it on the radio, and it was well worth the wait. The sound on this release, as well as on the others in this Mercury series of vintage recordings, is amazingly spacious and dynamic. This disc's rousing version of the Crown Imperial Coronation March is THE definitive recorded performance of that work. Complete with a stirring, regal melody, startling cannon blast, majestic organ, chimes, cymbals, shattering gong crashes, and thunderous drums, it will literally blow your socks off!