Search - Grainger, Britten, Warlock :: Music of Grainger, Britten and Warlock

Fine selection of Grainger and solid virtuosity to boot

Instrumentalist | Michigan United States | 02/03/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. With the many fine wind ensembles out there, Dr. Westbrook's 52-member UCLA group is right up there with the best of them in this CD. The ensemble soloists are both individually expressive and almost technically flawless in the Grainger pieces. There are some very minor intonation misses as a group, a few spots where section unison playing (i.e. "sound as one") can be detected as not in unison, and a slightly irritating (controllable, but not controlled) over buzzing of the contraclarinet in a piece or two, but these constitute mere nuances (i.e. being over picky here). The Capriol Suite (by the string ensemble) should be nostalgically familiar to some high school (or grade school musicians) who performed in full orchestra, a nice bonus piece to supplement this concert band CD. I whole heartedly recommend a purchase here as the major Grainger pieces are included (e.g. Lincolnshire Posy, Colonial Song, Irish Tune, etc.--great selection, very well played). IF you either: 1) desire a more comprehensive selection of Grainger and/or 2) are, for example, a music educator, who could benefit from a 100-piece "traditional" concert band recording to use with your students (or you desire the mass of a full band) I'd suggest the Univ of Illinois "Begian" 2 CD Grainger set, but you have to order from the University directly. IF you don't have either of these needs, you can't go wrong with the UCLA purchase here as a solo CD!"