Frederick Fennell conducts Lincolnshire Posy with the U.S. Navy Band

[@JazzyJonas]

Fredrick Fennel is an absolute treasure of a person. I had the honor of meeting him back in my drum corps days. He has a smile that will melt your heart and a handshake that could tear your arm off. Maestro.

[@zed2466]

The 14 dislikes are the ones who didn't pass the audition with Lincolnshire Posy excerpts

[@forestannie]

LOL omg why do they always use the excerpts HAHAHA

[@humbertobravo7504]

THIS IS SO FUNNY😭

[@andrewboyle5550]

I reckon you could set the whole part for most instruments as the excerpt part of the audition and you’d cover everything you’d want to hear, in particular dynamic control and nuance

[@shonnolegario7110]

Brilliant

[@fredrikniemeyer]

narh, they just dont believe In god.

[@feinstei]

I had the honor of playing under Frederick Fennell in 1974-75 when he conducted the Interlochen Arts Academy orchestra and band as guest conductor (I played tuba). He didn't mince words when on the podium during rehearsal, but socializing with him at mealtime and hearing his wonderful stories of his time at Eastman and the revolutionary one-mike recordings made by C.R. Fine for Mercury Living Presence records were amazing. I hope that his legacy is remembered for many years.

[@SkiingsPiedPiper]

I played flute with San Diego's Coastal Communities Concert Band and had the honor and pleasure of being directed by Frederick Fennell at the American Bandmasters Association Convention in 1997. He conducted us on Little English Girl March (L'Inglesina). We had had an awful practice on it the day before and were very apprehensive about the performance. But Mr. Fennell had the magic!! He pulled us together and we played that piece perfectly. He was truly amazing and danced his way into our hearts!!

[@arizonastrip73]

'Tis a wonderful age to live in when you can find everything from changing the filters on a Mercedes to watching the most clever conductor I have ever watched. Grainger would most likely be overwhelmed with admiration. Lincolnshire Posey is yours, Conductor Fennell.

[@fgbowen]

Agreed.

[@limdongcheol]

+mesaman Ashman Well, he was probably more interested in autostrangulation and other wired sexual practices - he was a bit kinky like that!!! But a staggering piece of music and a devil to conduct or play!

[@arizonastrip73]

+Nick Elwood Aye matey. These swabbies will think they just finished a 30 day cruise on a short destroyer in a typhoon. But beyond that he was most entertaining to watch and anything by Percy Grainger is good enough for me. My favorite, Shallow Brown.

[@arizonastrip73]

Not being hung up on sexual fantasies, I failed to see the connection; even to the extent that latent Freudian impulses might be exhibited..

[@nickelwood376]

Grainger's sexual tastes were as 'exotic' as his music. Some of his tongue-in-cheek practices are 'documented' in the autobiographical museum he 'created' in Melbourne. A colourful character who composed colourful music! With the right key words, a quick search will fully expose him!

[@conductus]

Ah, the grace and elegance of how he goes some effortlessly through Rufford Park Poachers and all the mixed meter as though it were the most natural thing in the world (and therefore so musical). What a joy to watch this. Thanks so much!

[@fgbowen]

I keep saying Agreed to so many. I hope you don't mind if I say it once more. ( : Agreed.

[@conductus]

+fgbowen Not at all! If you enjoyed this you may enjoy the approximately two hour rehearsal Fennell has with the fantastic musicians of the U. S. Navy Band before making this recording. For me, it's endlessly fascinating to watch Maestro Fennel work his magic.

[@fgbowen]

conductus - yes - I saw that you (or someone - I think you) had said that - and then I looked for it - was listed right with it. good stuff.

[@eltigre0320]

His conducting of The Brisk Young Sailor is absolutely enchanting.

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

This man rides on the wind and vibration of each note. He is in complete harmony and emotion with the beauty of the composition . He encourages the musicians direction with many faces and arm and hand motions . His approval with smile is inspiring .

[@tboneeuph8753]

Words cannot begin to describe the level of musicianship displayed here. An old master directing music he recorded back in the 1950s with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Many of my generation discovered that performance and the marvelous score shortly thereafter. He is in complete command of this iconic music. Thanks for posting. Bravo!!

[@Gumshrud1]

and another American icon is born and loved.

[@JohnJApanovitch]

Mr. Fennell's expressions while conducting makes him look so professional, but also having fun at the same time. The band pulled this really hard piece off so nicely, and I wish I could meet them. Oh, and I was born in the exact same city as Mr. Fennell, which was Cleveland, Ohio. What a fantastic piece!!

[@fgb3126]

The Maestro is a July 2nd Cancer Sun and I am a July 3rd. I always feel that kinship with other Cancerian men but especially those born one day before or after me.

[@scarlette712]

He seems like such a sweet guy and he looks like he’s having so much fun conducting. I love it. ☺️

[@joshuahunt4708]

You're looking at the father of the modern-day Wind Ensemble and the one responsible I believe for the Eastman Wind Symphony

[@chriswhatley7991]

Yes he does. We should all seek to find this kind of joy in our work.

[@andrewbraid1815]

This is a desert island recording. This can't be beat. Fennell is possessed of this score - he simply embodies the music and hits every cue - and the players are completely up to the challenge. This performance exemplifies a fortuitous alignment of spirits, something that one would think could not be produced by any amount of rehearsal - it just needs to happen in the right moment. Given that Lincolnshire Posy is for symphonic band, and also an immensely difficult piece of music, it will never reach the level of mainstream notoriety of other works, and therefore it's genius will remain apart for the serendipity of those fortunate enough to come upon it.

[@bthomson]

Compare this presentation to others and they pale in comparison. Hard to define why but you know it when you hear it!

[@rogercuster3731]

I wish we could see the players too

[@tenor817]

He did a clinician with our college wind ensemble in the early 80's. We just happened to play this piece on our winter tour, and he worked us over good. He didn't use a score, and didn't need to. What a memory!!

[@christopherallen487]

Bravo, yourself!! Very well said, my good man. A kindred spirit, you are. This is a fave of mine. Glad you're out there in the world, too ... Best to you, my friend.

[@ColbyGibson1103]

im a sophomore in highschool and this is my bands main piece for our band this year its so amazing

[@JazzyJonas]

This piece makes me laugh and cry. Probably my favorite wind band piece of all time.

[@jimslancio]

A big part of that (the laughing and crying) is because Percy Grainger (the composer) was such a character.

[@madderbass]

Frederick Fennell is an absolute joy to watch conduct! Thanks to the US Navy Band for uploading this!

[@jeffreyrogers6244]

He is far better than 90% of orchestral conductors today. And one of the best of all time.

[@wesleydecasere9832]

This is the best version of Lincolnshire Posy I have ever heard 👌

[@sgsmozart]

Listen to the University of Michigan Symphony Band...H. Robert Reynolds...retirement concert...Better than this....

[@dougr.2398]

@@sgsmozartno. You can’t get better conductor performance than this!! 🤣😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@superior_nobody07]

​@@dougr.2398especially considering fennel actually knew Grainger and spoke to him personally about this piece. All things considered this interpretation can be considered the closest to what Grainger envisioned

[@davelibros1]

My high school band director knew Fennell and brought him to our band for a clinic. Amazing wonderful positive human being.

[@MarilynMilanoMusic]

I was thrilled and honored to have performed, in 1970, in the Washington State All State Band, and Frederick Fennell was the conductor. That was 50 years ago. What an incredible honor and experience. I will never forget it. And this particular song holds amazing memories for me because our high school band, under the wonderful direction of our own band director Terry Grove, won a big competition performing this composition. I am overwhelmed that so much time has passed so quickly, and it is bittersweet. But wonderful music lives forever and is balm for the soul!

[@craigwagner5486]

What a Fantastic Maestro and great 'performance' by the Navy Band. I was blessed to play under Fennell in 1966 Texas All-State when he conducted this. As with these "all" bands, the rehearsals are rushed. But come performance, Fennell was at his finest! What a joy. And Grainger's "Posey" - a real challenge but SO inspiring! He is such a thrill to see again.

[@jimslancio]

Many people will say that the third movement at 4:14 is the hardest piece ever written for concert band because of its metrical complexity. It was dropped from every performance of Lincolnshire Posy I've ever played. If you especially like that movement and the challenge of it, you also might like Aaron Copland's Short Symphony, which presents the same sort of challenges to an orchestra.

[@Altoclarinets]

I played the alto clarinet solo in that movement in highschool. It literally didn't come together until like the day of UIL but oh how it came together

[@padraicfanning7055]

I've only played through that movement once (we played version A, by the way), and I felt like the ensemble still struggled, even on the concert. It was so easy to lose your place.

[@JohnJApanovitch]

My friend who played this piece one time said something about the third movement being ridiculously hard. He mentioned something about off-beats and the many transitions. He also said that he cannot play it without a conductor to guide it.

[@Thunshot]

Playing this in a month. The 3rd movement was dropped, unfortunately.

[@johnnytheyoungmaestro]

I saw an article once that stated something about Movements 3 and 5. The very first performance of this piece didn't include them, because they were too difficult. Mr. Grainger himself actually picked the band that would premiere the piece. So, it's interesting to know that the third and fifth movements are completely optional, even if Mr. Grainger didn't intend it.

[@RossiniSoprano]

Fennell's recording of this great piece with Eastman is the reason it has become so well-known, loved, and widely performed today. Thank you, Dr. Fennell!

[@donnix6931]

One thing I enjoy in life is watching those who are passionate about something ,whatever it may be, watch and listen to them talk about or actually perform whatever it is they live for. Fennell was an amazing musician and what a pleasure it was to watch him in the act of his craft. This piece was graingers masterpiece and fennell knew every nuance of it. What a treat!! I once saw Greg Bimm conduct this with the Marian catholic symphonic band and that is when I fell in love with it.

[@bambino100011]

What a legendary person in the Wind Band world. I am sad he is no longer with us. :(

[@ChapDan]

one of my favorite pieces of all time, had pleasure to perform under him ... what joy, love how he sings along!!!!!

[@nickaf1990]

I love the way he conducts, great to watch. Fennell's facial expression in "The Brisk Young Sailor" at 8:21 is just so fun to watch. Love it

[@brokencablemusic]

one of the clarinets squeaked in that moment probably because they were laughing, i love it

[@ChipsAplentyBand]

In fall 1977 I was doing my instrumental music student teaching block in Waterloo, NY along with several, and a group of us drove up to Eastman School in Rochester one evening to hear their Wind Ensemble guest conducted by Frederick Fennell performing several works, including the Hindemith Wind Symphony in B-flat. The performance was of course excellent but it was Fennell who really stole the show. He wore all black (pants and a long sleeve black non-dress shirt) and I remember one of his opening gestures (sans baton) for a particularly loud beginning of a Verne Reynolds piece was to jump up and extend his arms like Spiderman slinging out an invisible web. His diminutive size and bony movements were truly acrobatic in character, and he was just totally committed to the whole endeavor. What I couldn't see from my audience seat that night was supplied by this video-his marvelous repertoire of facial expressions, which are seemingly those of an ageless child continually having ever so much fun. If Fennell had never been a conductor I'm sure he could have been a talented street mime instead, though I'm happy he chose music instead. And I'm so glad I got to witness him conduct live, and at Eastman to boot.

[@samuelj.ciurcajr.2662]

NEVER TIRE OF LISTENING TO THIS PIECE AND ALL THE NUANCES OF THIS GRANGER MASTERPIECE.

[@dougr.2398]

I’ve known of Frederick Fennell as a conductor since about my early teens, thanks to a Mercury sample LP my father brought home circa 1962(?). What a joy to see a conductor so thoroughly and expressively immersed in his work!

[@crushingbelial]

11:42 was absolutely masterful. Beautiful sound from the ensemble.

[@troone01]

Fennell visited my High School in New York and conducted The Earl of Oxford March....50 years ago and I still remember the looks on his face when we played well....such a kind man

[@fgbowen]

No words. I have no words. What an incredible experience that was. Thank you for uploading this.

[@ckanowitz]

Have you watched the rehearsal? it's over 2 hours, but absolutely breathtaking to watch him at work.

[@carolineclegg8898]

What an utter joy! Thank you Mr Fennell and Mr Tim Reynish for pointing me here.

[@aurahyel4700]

When I was a teenager I would save my allowance so that I could purchase any of the Mercury Living Presence LP records which featured the Eastman Wind Ensemble conducted by Maestro Fennell.

[@charleswoodward9804]

me too!

[@joelbader2510]

My parents had a collection of marches by Sousa and American composers (which came after Sousa, more or less) performed by the Eastman Wind Ensemble as directed by Fennell. We also had a recording of band music by Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams (including the English Folk Song Suite, aka The Folk Song Suite) featuring the ensemble and Fennell. Both were great recordings, even if they predated the advent of stereo, stereo-quadraphonic, digital or direct to CD or iPhone methods.

[@jimslancio]

Good for you. There's a small but devoted subculture of concert band music devotees who cherish their jealously guarded collections of Eastman Wind Ensemble LP recordings. And back in those days, you couldn't just order whichever one you wanted online. Your record shop had to have in stock the one you wanted. To this day, I don't own a copy of the secoond Eastman Wind Ensemble recording, the one titled "Fiesta," featuring H. Owen Reed's La Fiesta Mexicana (not to be confused with Roger Nixon's Fiesta Del Pacifico).

[@calgarywino]

Watching the whole rehearsal and then seeing this was a great and very interesting experience !

[@Thunshot]

His conducting is immaculate. It’s so clear where each note should land!

[@stephencoffelt1378]

Had the privilege of playing under his direction at Interlochen, back in that late 60's. What a great memory & experience while in camp that summer.

[@youraveragepercussionist7690]

Me while I'm in percussion waiting to play timpani, exact representation 😂 this man has my heart

[@calgarywino]

The band had been rehearsing for many hours and I think this was done after midnight by the light conditions. They must have been very tired but it was obviously worth it !

[@DasBullWy]

Thank you so so much for uploading these. The rehearsal video is a treasure in itself. The educational value is amazing!! Thank you!!

[@ClarinetistsMusic]

I had the honor of being Directed by the Maestro in 1981 All State Orchestra and also took a private lesson on the Weber Concerto #2 which I was performing the day after the Festival with Orchestra. I asked him if he had perfect pitch, and his reply was “I hear what I need to hear” :)

[@dianequelch3771]

Hello from Lincolnshire UK

[@elisecurran9497]

Do you all love this piece there as much as we do? I hope so!

[@fredbalmages6029]

We played this at Peabody and the expression and technique of Fennell is what any organization responds to when performing. I never had the pleasure to play under his baton.

[@tomy7451]

His conduct is very accurate,and very relaxed.GREAT!!!

[@ClergetMusic]

We played Eric Whitacre's "October" in tribute to him when he died. Would have loved to study with him.

[@mrewan6221]

So many things to say: I think it might have been Frederick Fennell who came to Australia, and visited the army band I played in. He took us through Lincolnshire Posy, telling us what Percy Grainger himself did, as FF had played with PAG. Even though the programme notes said to play Version B if possible, FF told us that PAG said "always Version A". Lucky for us, we were good with Grainger's music, and had done a centenary concert with all the difficult stuff, only a few years before. Eventually all the Australian army bands got into Grainger, but we were first, as he was from our city. Usually you want to see the players too, but in this case the conducting was compelling. And it might have been a recording done by the band for teaching or archive. Normally I'm not keen on conductors who never move the baton, or who mirror the arms/hands. But in FF's case, he only did that if he didn't need to do something else. The spot where he was stabbing the eights was very effective. The players knew the timing, and the jabs let the players get the style right. The wafting for the high winds in Brisk Young Sailor gave a freedom for the players. Cueing was spot on, and exactly what I'd like to have seen. Overall, it was obvious FF wanted the players to play their best, and every gesture was supporting. There was no fear of failure being imparted, and no pressure to "get it right or else" as some conductors can do. It's not surprising the band clapped at the end. It must have been wonderful playing with Maestro Fennell.

[@fauxmosmexual]

i feel my orchestra circuits awaken from their slumber when i watch this guy

[@blainedunlap8571]

I grew up in Dallas, the son of a Ravel, Milhaud, Ellington, Sondheim, Mercury Living Presence et all FANATIC-- only recently have I learned out Mr Cozart-Fine, what is it about the astringent clear winter days, brass rising, always there is Fredrick Fennell- YEAH

[@bahdopbop]

6:38 Such a look of sheer joy on his face.

[@RossiniSoprano]

That 5th mvt was hilarious! And shows how great the Navy Band is! ;-)

[@karlkutac1800]

Talented musicians, and conducting! Excellent

[@chefpablo2000]

He was my Conductor at band camp in 1977. Master as I was a padawan. Canyon, TX.

[@kyushujet]

Wait a min…Frederick Fennell came to West Texas State in 1977? 😲

[@FliegerB]

Trust Me!!! Freddie Fennel was a Super Cool Guy!!! He was the conductor for the Virginia All-State Band in 1973. I was in the group. He was so much fun! He made us feel At Ease! That led to a Super Performance, too!!! He gave me a very positive impression of music, as well as life in general. Miss Him! 👍🏽😀👍🏽🎼🎵🎶!!! Oh,... Back then, I played Oboe/English Horn. Recently, I have restarted music on saxophone!

[@JohnJApanovitch]

Fun fact: Frederick Fennell was actually born in Cleveland, Ohio, the same city I was born!! Love this man!

[@BandBoy1410]

This was absolutely wonderful to watch.

[@JazzyJonas]

Fred's the best. He's the original hype man.

[@JRY13sp]

In December 2004, I was playing E-flat clarinet in the University of Akron Symphonic Band. At our concert on the first Saturday of the month, we were to play this piece with Frederick Fennell. The third movement features a very exposed E-flat clarinet part, and I was SO nervous I was going to get yelled at. I practiced a lot, but was still worried. Fennell wasn’t able to conduct us because he was sick, and at the time, I breathed a sigh of relief. However, I was very sad a few days later because Frederick Fennell passed away on December 7, 2004. I now very much wish I would have had the opportunity to have him conduct.

[@wuzzum]

Sheer joy to hear and to watch.

[@TheRangerfanforever]

From 8:00 minute to 9:28 - such enthusiasm. love it

[@michaelschonauer7238]

great performance, loved watching Fennel. Would like to have seen the musicians too!

[@Moschtschorle]

Master conductor, Masterpiece. Absolut great!!!

[@jeremyvig9936]

wow! that was amazing to watch (and hear)!!!

[@lilbill88]

So dope! My ears just want more....I wish it would just keep going. Can we get a sequel to Lincolnshire pls

[@NicholasWingComposer]

Wonderful and dynamic performance. Although Frederick Fennell somewhat resembles F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri in one of the greatest classical music films of all time "Amadeus", thankfully there is no comparison between their conducting. The nuanced changes in tempi, articulations and dynamics are truly extraordinary. Bravo!

[@ThePumpkin506]

The best performance of Lincolnshire Posy, in my opinion.

[@jeffreyrogers6244]

I am watching this for the first time and I agree with you completely. It may not be as perfect note for note as Simon Rattle and Birmingham, but it is so much more stylistically accurate.

[@quinftbl]

How fortunate to be able to watch this magnificent man conduct! He changed the course of wind music. ❤️

[@dwightbrown2808]

F.F. and Percy Grainger were Interlochen folks. Grainger used to go down to the rail crossing and meet the kids when they arrived, Fred started going there as kid.

[@FreelanceOboist]

Thank You for posting both the rehearsal and the complete take of "Linconshire Posey". What a great performance and learning experience from a master conductor!

[@garyodle5663]

Wonderful. Simply wonderful.

[@charleswoodward9804]

This man was my musical idol.

[@laserdisque]

WTH is Fennell wearing there? Did he borrow that outfit from the Percy Grainger Museum, or did he commission it himself? Not the sort of thing you can buy off the rack at your local Men's Wearhouse.

[@mlefeb]

laserdisque lmfao

[@Altoclarinets]

you're just deadass going with the "was that sweater specially made for you or did the knitting machine explode" angle on the foremost wind band conductor in history huh

[@Altoclarinets]

(for the record, it seems to be some sort of jacket or sweater, I think this is rehearsal footage)

[@blackletter2591]

As you seem to acknowledge, Percy could be fairly original in his clothing choices; this is comparatively restrained.

[@reev9759]

There's a solid chance this was straight up swiped from the Grainger museum.

[@TheStoneblogs]

Great upload. One of the best performances I've heard and a joy to watch. Wish someone could somehow fix the static though :/

[@calewis55]

One of the best things I've seen. I played under him in the mid-80's . His conducting completely changed how we performed. It was fascinating and thrilling. I love how fully he is "in" the music as he conducts. He is truly a treasure. Thank you.

[@MichalDennis]

that mmde my evening. I remember him with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. He had a crew cut back then.

[@__SL__]

i really miss the time when I got to play this in my wind ensemble

[@GiancarloLocatelli]

FANTASTIC!!!

[@alanosterman7130]

Always tend to well up at the end of this piece. Nice man.

[@joshuahunt4708]

I can always count on this video not having ads. Another of many reasons to respect the military!

[@kidmarine7329]

That was really good.

[@davidbloss7863]

I've played under conductors who could easily just be holding a glow stick dressed in all black. I've also played under conductors like Fennell who are a visual treat for the band. There ought to be a camera focused on the conductor visible to the audience. Would add a lot to their perspective and understanding of the music!! The Heart Of Texas Concert Band will be playing this at our next concert on 20 November 2022 @ 3 pm. Hopefully will be livestreamed on our youtube channel and on facebook. Concert will also include Bizet's "Symphonie Fantastique" and highlights from Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Gondoliers". Ambitious program, but one should always stretch their boundaries and improve!

[@krazie835]

12:30 everyone's favorite movement.

[@Altoclarinets]

Pole Dance

[@havocmangawip]

Beautiful conducting.

[@Muudge]

God bless that man

[@RobertRavosa-vc4lo]

An inspiration !

[@Gumshrud1]

simply amazing.

[@a_doggo]

True genius, Fennell. True genius...

[@richardtomasek]

No one conducted this better than he did.

[@sousafan100]

I never was a fan of grainger's program music but I can certainly appreciate this top notch performance with fennell at the helm - thanks usnb

[@aurahyel4700]

+sousafan100 Show some respect by spelling each of the composer's names with a Cap.

[@fgbowen]

+Aura Hyel - Agreed.

[@RealTheBigGsmaji]

If only they had a better mic, this would've sounded amazing on KZbin

[@robbyboy28]

Is anyone else bothered by the sound delay? Or is that how conducting actually feels like?

[@sdwhitm]

I was told by a college director that "The more advanced the ensemble, the more delayed the sound is from the ictus." And I feel like that pretty true from what I've seen and experienced.

[@hyperluke1034]

We did this for marching band recently.

[@mybonesfellout]

Luke White 🤔

[@afwagner]

Easy to practice to having a conductor right there.

[@shaanfliesplanes]

I play snare on this piece and we basically sit around for the entire 16 minutes

[@craigprovens5023]

Amazing!

[@JazzyJonas]

Get it Fred!

[@mroxannevh]

make a hologram of him composing and play it live to him in 2023. 😮

[@bcstechnologylimited896]

Very good! Note to videographer: an occasional shot of the musicians would have been nice.

[@redbrian3655]

I could play effortlessly under Fennell; other directors?... hmmm not so much. For myself, Fennell= joy

[@jacobcox9408]

9:37 moreeeeeee

[@MargeRosenMusic]

Bravo!