Music for an Awful Lot of Winds and Percussion

P.D.Q. Bach (Composer), Peter Schickele (Composer, Conductor), Lowell Graham (Conductor), David McGill (Performer), National Symphonic Winds (Performer), Ronald Bishop (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David McGill, National Symphonic Winds, Ronald Bishop
• Conductor: Peter Schickele, Lowell Graham
• Composer: P.D.Q. Bach, Peter Schickele
• Audio CD (September 29, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003CYJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,080 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Percussion
  • #28 in Music > Indie Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy & Spoken Word
  • #55 in Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy > Comedic Music > General

Track Listings

1. Introduction

2. I. Grand Entrance

3. II. Simply Grand Minuet

4. III. Romance In The Grand Manner

5. IV. Rondo Mucho Grando

6. Introduction

7. I. Mr. Minuit's Minuet - David McGill

8. II. Panther Dance - David McGill

9. III. Dance Of The Grand Dams - David McGill

10. IV. The Lowland Fling - David McGill

11. Introduction

12. I. Maestoso Animoso

13. II. Daintissimo

14. III. Allegro, But Not Too Mucho

15. IV. Molto Moderato

16. V. Vivace Cucarace

17. VI. Moving Right Alongo

18. Introduction

19. Lip My Reeds

20. Door Prize Scene

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The consummate Schicekle, January 6, 2004

By 

Timothy P. Scanlon (Hyattsville, MDUSA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Music for an Awful Lot of Winds and Percussion (Audio CD)

This isn't the old PDQ Bach, e.g., Concerto for Horn and Hardart--which was also good. It's "evolved," insofar as PDQ Bach is capable of evolution...

When my wife gave this to me for Christmas, I turned it on and thought it was a live performance, like the first albums--and like the Schickele performances we've happily attended. It took a few seconds to realize that it was a mock performance, of the Turtle Mountain Naval Base Tactical Wind Ensemble (who are also, as announced by Professor Schickele, busy protecting North Dakota from naval attack, a clever comment making the CD all the more worth it!) at a convenient North Dakota location.

As a Wagnerian, I was attracted to "Last Tango in Beyreuth," the last musical number on the CD. If I may paraphrase Schickele's statement of a long time ago, when you listen to it, be prepared to hear things you've heard before (PDQ's real talent having been in plagiarism, after all.)

And, since Schickele was a bassoon major, it's amusing that he picks on that instrument--for perhaps the best piece ever composed for bassoon and tuba. Then there are the pieces by the Tennessee Bassoon Quartet, an ensemble for which there are surely limited venues...

I heard one of PDQ's other numbers, Concerto for Two Piano's vs. Orchestra a few years ago. Schickele gave an hysterical historical presentation on that piece. I talked with him about it afterwards and suggested that too be put onto a CD. He said in essence that the market may not have room for it these days; renouned violinists and pianists are not sellable these days. That's distressing as Schickele's comedy form is beyond genius, and unique. So, while you can, listen to what's available. This is a gem!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical and not at all Esoterical, January 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Music for an Awful Lot of Winds and Percussion (Audio CD)

P.D.Q. Bach brings a funny irreverance to his subject material that is charming. He is at times on NPR (National Public Radio) and if you've ever heard him, you know what I mean. He obviously is an expert in his field, but he is outrageously funny in his parodies of famous music. Who would have thought one could bring a sense of humour to Wagner? Get this cd - or anything by PDQ - and I guarantee you're in for some laughs. You may even learn something!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There is music, and then there is PDQ Bach, September 18, 1998

By 

Matthew Legare ([e-mail]) (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Music for an Awful Lot of Winds and Percussion (Audio CD)

Once again Prof. Peter Schickele dons his crash helmet in an attempt to enlighten us to the works of that epic nadir of talent, PDQ Bach. This time by using the combined might of the Turtle Mountain Tactical Woodwind Company (the Nat'l Woodwind Company in a clever disguise) to subject us to seriously massive music which could easily be used to do something which the Geneva Convention prohibits. Glorious. Johan-Bob sez 2 thumbs up.