The versatility of the wind band has been widely recognized and utilized throughout the history of Western music. From broken consorts in the Renaissance to Beethoven’s Janissary music to the modern day marching band, composers have utilized this malleable tone and commanding power to satisfying ends. The beginning of the 20th century was no exception, and that’s why the Peabody Conservatory Wind Band offers four of the century’s best known composers in this style on their latest release Trendsetters: Music for Wind Band.
With selections from Gustav Holst, Paul Hindemith and Joseph Schwantner, this recording reflects some of the finest music written for wind band in the Twentieth Century. Among many band conductors, however, one piece stands alone as an icon of the literature. Percy Grainger’s 1937 Lincolnshire Posy is considered the pinnacle of his folk-music settings. Grainger considered the wind band “a vehicle of deeply emotional expression” that he found unrivaled, and his writing reflected that fact. This tour-de-force is performed beautifully by the Peabody Ensemble under Harlan D. Parker.
Our quick pick this week comes from Cappella Coloniensis. Johann Friedrich Fasch’s instrumental music is highlighted, featuring sinfonias, concerti and the Overture in E minor.