Fw: Fw: [Dixielandjazz] slick slides???

[R. John Braun]

Listmates,

thought you might be interested in these comments from a member of First Brigade Band.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dave Braun 
To: R. John Braun 
Cc: Gina Braun 
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: [Dixielandjazz] slick slides???


We've got a copy of this CD set. It's part of the Mercury Living Presence series that was recorded on 35mm film. I think you have some of the other Fennell/Eastman Wind Ensemble LPs.

An interesting item from the liner notes - Fennell used modern clarinets instead of antiques because they're easier to play in tune, and there's not much difference in the sound.

Here are just a few Civil War brass band websites you might like to pass on to the list:

1st Brigade Band
33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band
Excelsior Cornet Band - New York's Authentic Civil War Brass Band
Michigan 5th Regiment Band

It's always interesting to see the reaction in people that didn't know the old horns are still playable!

Dave



R. John Braun wrote: 
  Thought youmight be interested. 
  ----- Original Message ----- From: <Cebuisle2 at aol.com> 
  To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com> 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 8:04 AM 
  Subject: [Dixielandjazz] slick slides??? 



    Well now that the long thread about trombones and Yamaha wonderhorns has 
    sort of died down, I'll add a few horn related lines-- 

    My son recently found a two record (LP) set in an obscure Maine antique shop 
    and presented it to me for my birthday The records are attractively packaged 
    in a heavy cardboard case with a 24 page description of the recording 
    methods, etc. They are titled The Civil War, an obvious misnomer as everyone  here 
    knows it was the War Between the States-but I digress- 

    Mercury Records recorded the four sides in 1961 to commemorate the 
    centennial of the War. In addition to recording the actual sounds of the weapons  used, 
    they recorded the music played. Two original band books were used, the 26 
    North Carolina and the 3rd New Hampshire, representing the songs played by both 
    sides . Eastman School of Music conductor John Fennell conducted the two 
    ensembles which faithfully played all the parts in the original band books- 

    But what amazed me was the use of the original band instruments from the 
    War, totally rebuilt for the occasion. I was impressed for two reasons-the 
    excellent intonation and technique possible on ancient, conical bore horns played 
    over the shoulder pointing backwards. These instruments had string operated 
    lever valves, and were without water keys. As the instruments filled  with 
    water (spit, for you non players) the intonation went south, and the musician had 
    to stop playing and drain the water. Of course, the mouthpieces  were those 
    with the razor sharp rims-no cushion rims here! 

    The other amazing feature was the difficult arrangements in the band 
    books-far beyond anything playable by even a good high school band today. The Eb 
    soprano cornet parts spit out notes as rapidly as the early Gatling guns, and 
    even the lower brass had intricate parts. 

    The opening tune for the 26 North Carolina was ":Dixie" (it was politically 
    correct to play it 
    then) and it was so spirited I felt like enlisting! 

    My point? There were some amazing musicians in the mid nineteenth century 
    and also some amazing horns, even though they would be regarded politely as 
    "crude" by today's Yamaha standards and modern players. I had no idea that Civil 
    War musical units could sound this good- 

    Too bad they didn't play any OKOM- 


         Ted 
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