Customer Reviews

Homespun America: Mid-19th Century Brass Band, Social Orchestra & Choral Group Music

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This is a 2 Disc set of charming 19th Century American music of the "everyday" variety: polkas, quadrilles, waltzes...tunes like "Pop Goes the Weasel" played sweetly and without a hint of irony. If you're looking for sophisticated concert music, look elsewhere. This is the music Americans were playing and hearing in park bands, "social orchestras", etc. Highlights include stunning performances by trumpet virtuoso Alan Vizutti on E-flat cornet. Also notable are the vocal quartet recreations of the spiritual songs and abolitionist anthems of the Hutchinson Family Singers. This collection is like a lively little piece of American history on disc, elegantly performed by all invloved. The 27-page booklet is crammed with interesting information.

I bought this originally because I play trumpet and saw Vizzutti's name on the list of artists. Of course, he's excellent, but what's really special here is that you can close your eyes and be back in the town park in small town America of the 2nd half of the 19th century when every town had a band while they waited for TV to be invented. I have a photo of my ancestors posing with the Mount Pleasant Mills (PA) band in the early 20th century and feel I'm there when I hear this music.

Good historical performances. Something anyone ionterested in this period in American musical history should have.