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Band revisions- marches (arr. Frederick Fennell)...

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:31 pm
by jon112780
Does anybody have a copy of the typical half page old (normal) style of 'Rolling Thunder'- Fillmore? I would be interested in what differences, if any are in the tuba part between the 'old' version and the 'new' one Fennell arranged.

I am aware of his excellent legacy, and own many CD's of him conducting. However, I was in a college group he guest conducted a few years before his death, and he had a tendency to make (in some cases) drastic changes in dynamics, tempo and sometimes octave changes during rehearsal.

Admittedly, towards the end of their lives everyone may not be at the top of their game, and this is to be expected. However, I don't want to think (my view of) one rehearsal towards the end of his distinguished career would be a clear overall reflection; but that one rehearsal does make me skeptical concerning an arrangement of an already-fine-march in my (one) hour long experience with him on the podium.

Anybody have the original (old part) I can have a peek at? :wink:

Re: Band revisions- marches (arr. Frederick Fennell)...

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:32 pm
by tbn.al
After my first encounter with Frantic Freddy in 1965 I was sure the man was crazy. A couple of years later I was under his baton again and had matured a bit. This time I was merely amused at his anctics and delighted with the music we made. Yes, he always did unusual things with scores, mostly marches. His interpretation of Lincolnshire Posy is a true pinacle of the conducting art IMHO. In resotrospect, I really can't think of anything he did to change a march that didn't work. But again I never was a purist. I think he was always like that.

Re: Band revisions- marches (arr. Frederick Fennell)...

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:34 am
by Uncle Buck
tbn.al wrote:But again I never was a purist.
Is there such a thing as a purist for marches?

I love marches, and think they are a wonderful genre. Their nature, though, lends them to be "fiddled with" by conductors more than other genres - and that's a good thing. It makes playing and listening to them more fun.

Sorry this post didn't provide any insight for the original question. I do think FF would agree with me, though.