Customer Reviews

Screamers (Circus Marches)

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Frederick Fennell's position as America's leading band master is solid, but he is less known perhaps as a scholar. Over his long recording career (which continues now though he's well past 80) Fennell has also documented a rich part of America's musical heritage. This CD focuses on the circus marches, but that's only half the story. Screamers is actually a CD compilation of two LPs Fennell made in the early sixties and, as good as the circus marches are, the disc is equally valuable for the selection of marches by Fennell's great musical mentor Edwin Franko Goldman. Special treasures on the disc include rollicking circus marches like Them Basses and The Screamer (a reference to the steam pipe organs at early circuses), but also classic Goldman fare like On the Mall, Onward, Upward, and the utterly charming Children's March that forms a pastiche from Pop Goes the Weasel and a dozen other kids' favorites. The sound quality continues to be remarkably good. These are more than high steppers -- it's a collection of wonderfully melodic, wholly infectious tunes worth savoring.

Simply put, there are recordings of circus marches on this CD which will blow your mind. Fennell really captured the heart of the fever-pitch nature of live, all-out circus music. There are a few gems on this album that must be owned if you have any interest in energetic band music. Some of the rest is just "classics", but don't let that deter you!

When I first heard the last eleven marches on this recording; I heard them on tape, and I really enjoyed them, this was back in 1988 when I was in the seventh grade. When I moved in the winter of 1988, I lost that tape. I was very sad when I did, and it was not until the summer of 2002 that I saw this recording at amazon; 14 years later still great, and sounds even better on CD than it did on tape. This time was even better, because it has even more marches, in the old tape, it had what on this recording are tracks 17-28. Tracks 1-16 are equally good, this recording is of a great sentimental value for me...I hope you enjoy as much as I have 14 years later....

If you have any band experience this is a must own album. Origionally available on vinyl it has made the transition to CD very nicely. I consider myself fortunate to have played many of these selections during my band career and this album brings back many great memories.

If I were limited to only one album of march music this would be it.

First, for those not familiar with Fredrick Fennell and the Eastman Symphonic Wind Ensemble, they are a treasure. During the early 50's and through the 60's, Fennell and the ESWE raised the level of band and wind ensemble playing in this country. See British Band classics vol 1 as a starting point. In Screamers, Fennell hits an important but often overlooked piece of Americana--the circus march. Think of a hot summer afternoon in the main tent with sawdust, popcorn, and animals providing "atmosphere". The artists hold your attention, but what fills your ears has been captured on this recording. Recorded with state of the art equipment, circa 1960, this album looses nothing in re-issue. It still thrills.

I was specifically looking for music of the circus and this recording just blew me away. It is clean and well done -- technically speaking. The Eastman Wind Ensemble is spectacular! If you are looking for something that sounds like a circus band, this is NOT it. This is a very professional, high quality recording of some of the best march music ever composed.

This is music I have not heard, or played, for years. Most impressive musicianship. And the tempos are unbelievable! For this size group, it is amazing--and nothing less would be expected.

I am a retired music teacher, and this brought me back to the times when I played in large marching bands, or smaller groups for the local rodeo, as a college student. Great excitement in listening, and being swept away to a time when I had less to worry about.

The music itself has a great affect on me, besides the impressive way in which it is delivered. Great sound. Great precision. Great music that just isn't played or used much anymore. How fun to relive those moments--especially the ones featuring the trombone.

A great collection of marches not by Sousa conducting by none other than Fennell. You can't go wrong having this in your band CD collection.

IF YOU LIKE THE CIRCUS, AND LIKE CIRCUS MUSIC, THIS IS THE CD FOR YOU. THE EASTMAN ENSEMBLE IS 45 PIECES, BUT SOUNDS LIKE A FULL 100. CRISP AND EXCITING. PUTS YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE MIDDLE RING! AN OLDER RECORDING BUT DONE VERY WELL.

This recording sets a performance and sonic standard for circus marches that will likely never be surpassed. The recording dates from 1962 but could not possibly sound better. The performances by the Eastman Wind Ensemble conducted by its founder, Frederick Fennell, crackle with the excitement of the circus ring. The passion of the conductor and the performers for this music can be heard in every selection, in the breathless succession of one march after another, like circus acts parading past the listener. It is really difficult to believe that this recording (and the others by the Eastman Wind Ensemble) were made by college music students -- the thoroughly professional standard of their playing has never been matched on recordings, and will stand as a tribute to the Eastman teaching faculty, and to the performers themselves, for as long as band music exists. On this recording, the low brass is exceptionally well featured, with the trombones executing their parts with a speed and clarity that seems impossible. It has to be heard to be believed. Anyone who likes marches or band music should have this recording.