Walton - Crown Imperial [Fennell, TKWO]

Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra
The Special Concert Vol. 66
Conductor: Frederick Fennell
April 20th, 2000 / Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

[@Biber0315]

How am I just discovering these videos in 2024??!! That has to be one of the tightest ensembles I've ever heard.

[@Dorazonbi]

今から23年前の佼成ですね。 この中でまだ現役で活躍されている方はtpの奥山さん、hrの上原さん、clの大浦さんのみとなってしまいました。 時代の流れを感じますね。

[@dwightbrown2808]

He was a really sweet unassuming man. He was wonderful with kids and was never all that impressed with himself. It was a great treat to have known him. He always had his red corvette at camp in the summer and it was a great occasion when he came to the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan. His ashes were scattered under the trees there by his wife.

[@cattycorner8]

what a wonderful story! thankyou!

[@itzikdekel5798]

What a great experience for you all !

[@bobareebop]

He attended the Interlochen camp as a young man. My brother has a book showing him posing with a snare drum at the camp.

[@MrKlemps]

Fennell was one of the great conductors of our time--unfortunately never recognized as such because the repertory and ensemble that he espoused are thought by high-brow critics not to be of the first class. If he had trained his sights on Mahler symphonies, his historical position among conductors would have been at the top of the heap, A-number one, king of the hill!

[@CorvetteCoonass]

As much as I like listening to orchestras, I love the sound of wind ensembles much more. Let the high brow critics say what they will, there isn't a medium better than the Wind Ensemble in my opinion. Federick Fennel was and will always be the prime example of a revolutionary conductor. In my opinion, I think a lot more people know of Fennel than other famous orchestral conductors simply because of his influence to band music.

[@BrodyMulligan]

Fennell was a gift of love from up above.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

If there were a Mt. Rushmore of band conductors, Sousa and Fennell would have been two of the heads for sure.

[@troykawahara4496]

I think it is too bad that wind bands are not more respected among classical music fans. Actually, I think there is a lot of wind band repertoire that many classical fans would like and also that many people from the general public would like as well. Wind band music has a vitality to it that is rarely captured by symphony orchestras. Perhaps it is the way that the instruments must breathe like a choir, the added volume from an expanded brass and percussion section, the expanded color palette due to the variety of instruments used, or maybe even simply the fondness we gain from growing up in these ensembles. It is interesting that "band" has become such a main-stay in American culture, yet we only have a few professional or highly skilled amateur wind bands and ensembles in the US (it is different elsewhere). This would probably go a long way to help people like Fennell gain notoriety and attention. Perhaps we should be lobbying our classical radio stations to play more wind band music. Even if it is only one hour specifically devoted to it at 3 in the morning in the middle of the week. More public engagement wouldn't hurt either. But, it is clear that we have to be proactive in promoting these talented individuals.

[@CitrusGroveJrHigh]

I had the honor and pleasure of playing in his wind ensemble at the University of Miami. Of course he was much younger always sporting a flat top and black turtle neck long sleeved pullover. Each and every rehearsal was a music adventure. The intensity and thoroughness was amazing to me as a student. I might add that it was an amazing faculty at the time including J. Clifton Williams and Alfred Reed. WOW!

[@dbryant4]

One of the greatest conductors ever, Fennell could raise any group he conducted to new heights within days, or even hours.

[@tysonmaddux1126]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot my password. I would love any tricks you can give me!

[@wesleykelvin4468]

@Tyson Maddux instablaster ;)

[@allenlewis967]

Anyone notice that he isn't even reading a score? All in his head. I had the pleasure of playing for him at the Chicago TubaChristmas event a couple of years. An amazing conductor and communicator.

[@HelloooThere]

HE ALSO CONDUCTED GREAT GROUPS HE KNEW HOW TO PICK THEM FIRST NOT GO TO AN AMATEUR GROUP THAT WOULD SOUR HIS REPUTATION😊

[@evanvarns4785]

For a man of such small physical stature, he is an absolutely titanic presence in the world of band music.

[@fgb3126]

The better to shine and impress if you have no "bigness" to use, just your natural abilities.

[@paulblichmann2791]

Just use a higher riser...problem solved. 😁👌👍

[@地引満]

マエストロフェネル、大好きでした！。

[@gorgo2005]

8:11 Fennell brought me to copious tears from the sheer emotion of the rapture he was experiencing in the music. Folks, it quite simply doesn't ever get any better than this!

[@mas.m5585]

フェネル先生お懐かしい…もう20年経つんですね

[@aarara3751]

圧倒的名演です… ブラヴォーしかない！

[@BrodyMulligan]

What an an honor and a privilege it must have been, to be under his baton.

[@kuz8075]

Bravi! Frederick Fennell ＆ 東京佼成ウインドオーケストラは、最高です！！

[@tanta800]

自分の高校最後のコンクール曲がこれでよかったと、今聴いて改めて思った。いい曲だよ

[@windsofnagual]

この曲初めて聴いたけど最高だぁぁぁぁ！　吹奏楽オリジナルじゃないのが悔しいぐらい。

[@rickguptill1460]

I played under Maestro Fennell once. He was visiting the area and he conducted "Moorside Suite" with the local brass band. During a question and answer session he was asked about his first rehearsal with the Tokyo Wind Ensemble. He said that after the first couple of pieces he realized that "They were playing my records back to me". He was very complimentary of the band.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

Maestro Fennell recognized that what the Japanese do very, very well, is play technically perfect. I agree with your comment alot!

[@jmcgatkinson]

It really is a blessing that the technique of recording used in the 'Mercury Living Presence' label presented Frederick Fennell a perfect opportunity for quality recordings. To this day, the very challenging repertoire to wind players are performed to perfection..

[@rebeltuba9422]

If there's anyone in the world who has a higher level overall of band musicianship than the Japanese, I'd love to see them.

[@MPeterson1958]

I had the pleasure of spending about 9 weeks studying with him at Northwestern when John Paynter was out due to heart surgery. Such an inspiration. I will take what this man can draw from a wind ensemble (or BAND or whatever anyone wants to call it) with the cornerstone literature of that medium any day over yet another boring reading of the Tschaikovsky 4 or "whatever symphony" any day. The beauty he draws from it and the tone colors he can paint with that baton are unparalleled.

[@braddavis4276]

Many Years ago I Bought The Album By The EASTMAN WIND , And Crown Imperial was Played on It ! It was The First Time I had a Chance To Hear This Great Peace Of MUSIC PLAYED !

[@troone01]

Fennell visited my Junior High School and conducted our version of the Earl of Oxford March....50 years ago, and I still remember the rehearsals...."Its all about accents and dynamics"....unforgettable

[@brucekuehn4031]

Those he inspired through personal contact and his recordings - a profound influence!

[@steveonmareisland5268]

I have to wonder if this was played so well at George's coronation. Fennell takes out all the "Hollywood" and leaves in the dignity, grace, and excitement.

[@keithbulley2587]

The version being played here seems to be a transcription of Walton's original as performed at the 1937 coronation rather than the shorter, more frequently heard revised version he made much later. I believe he revised this march several times including for the 1953 coronation but I cannot find exact details of what was changed: just from listening, I think a repeat of the first theme near the beginning was cut and some repeating bars near the end (trumpets, tubular bells and tamtam) and some bars were cut and recomposed in the middle of the first section.

[@carlynpinkins1182]

This is the best performance of this piece I've ever heard. Truly majestic, and I always get goosebumps toward the end.

[@sim100]

He seems overwhelmed by joy. It's so moving. What a lovely man and a great artist. The Ensemble have taken him to their hearts.

[@keithrouillard6069]

A superb rendition of this fine piece or music ....The best I ve heard . beautifully played.

[@braddavis4276]

I forgot to mention I played the FRENCH HORN , and playing this Peace Concert Contest as our first peace was a DREAM come TRUE

[@AndrewRance-y3c]

I love this music so much, as do you - much love to Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra!

[@braddavis4276]

Yes this is and has always been my Favorite MARCH ! And hearing it played with a full wind Ensemble is truly the way it was meant to be Performed ! I can’t get enough of IT !👍😍❤️🇬🇧

[@paulalberta4976]

When I was conducting as a young music educator Fred Fennell & the Eastman Wind Ensemble was certainly the model that inspired me. Programming, ensemble sound, interpretation was consistently the best. Fabulous performance.

[@davyspoon]

Still Phenomenal ...

[@braddavis4276]

This GRAND MARCH Is Everything There Is To Be 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 GREAT BRITAN !!!! I am From 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 WALES And I was Born In The AMERICA , But Ian Still Loyal To The CROWN !!!!

[@frankvee3425]

What a rendition of this piece of music! Fennell is a master bring out the best in that ensemble. Bravissimo!!

[@jamescareless159]

This ensemble is also superb.

[@andybungay1669]

It's great to hear this played rather then hacked through -Willie's subtle harmonies and taut rhythmns played with such tenacity.

[@starwarsjunkie7776]

So many hack through…just LISTEN to the middle section!!! Who plays with this detail?! This is why professional orchestras are a fucking JOKE!!!! Nobody plays with heart and there’s no intent to be malleable and change the music.

[@tromboneharmony5861]

2019年度の全日本吹奏楽コンクール課題曲3番「春」(福島弘和作曲)を吹くうえで、とても参考になるマーチの一つだと思います。こういったロイヤルな雰囲気が出るといいなと思いながら吹いております。

[@tromboneharmony5861]

あと、生でフェネルの指揮する音楽を聴いてみたかったな...

[@りりり-f5t]

卒業式の入場で吹いた思い出の曲です。

[@normannokes9513]

Ah! the great Frederick Vennell. i possess an Lp from the 1950's with the maestro conducting the Eastman Wind band playing English folk song arrangements by Holst and Vaughan Williams. Inspiring always .

[@normannokes9513]

Thank you for the response. Remember pleasure of playing on Pye Blackbox in the 50's. Now in my mid eighties.

[@Cuthbert25]

I remember that LP. I have it on Mercury. It must have hit Kneller Hall like an earthquake. This American college band playing 'British Band Classics' (that was the album title) better than our military bands.

[@marcfilippelli8128]

They seemed to love playing with and for him.

[@raymoland]

Wow! Incredible and the band and audience's love of their conductor is evident at the end. Bravo!

[@stephenfegely]

Incredible clarity

[@reginaldbrady6800]

Wonderful performance of this piece! It has been one of my favorite pieces for years and I absolutely love the nuances that Fennell achieves with it! God save the King!

[@Windband1]

Literally perfect.

[@brixhamboy2000]

Absolutely Wonderfull ! God Save The Queen !!!

[@johnkusske7535]

What a wonderful piece of music, and WHAT A PERFORMANCE!

[@からりえ]

It finished a performance is splendid. Bravo!

[@fseratim]

Superb sound and interpretation. I played in the RA Band, UK many yrs ago.

[@richardaxtell7429]

Magnificent! This is now my favorite version of the Crown Imperial. I am moved.

[@earlviney5212]

Did you ever 27th lancers drum and bugle corps arrangement of this? It might change your mind

[@Wearethechamps]

Love playing this amazing piece with my concert band. Fantastic performance- Bravo 👏🏾

[@Allanfearn]

Just now, on this You Tube page, it's worth bringing up Walton himself in this piece. The first 20 seconds of his performance say it all - by 1937 British imperial grandeur was best understated. And who better to understand that, you would expect, than an American conductor of a Japanese band?

[@Abmb88]

Those clarinets are getting it with those runs!!! -a trumpet player

[@dlnnyc64]

Trumpets are killing it. - a clarinet player

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

Fabulous beyond measure!!!

[@braddavis4276]

First Time I heard This GREAT MARCH was on a Record Player by the EASTMAN WIND ENSAMBAL

[@johnmaxwell1750]

Superb version, marvelously performed!

[@indiandoctor7900]

Wow I have never heard an all=brass version of this. Outstanding job!!

[@brians9508]

you still haven't.

[@jamiechristian2477]

That would be 1975 27 Lancers also 1981 27 Lancers on you tube. Check it out.

[@AndrewRance-y3c]

Just wonderful!

[@TimothyReeves]

My favorite march ever. First horn is playing a Schmid triple!

[@gravics]

Outstanding!

[@glennmartin974]

Glorious!

[@songsmith31a]

Extraordinary. Certainly the longest arrangement of this uplifitng work that I've heard. I now have an alternative to my favourite recording by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Groves. Thank you for that bonus.

[@melvynroyrunham5988]

Wonderfull !

[@GTEd]

Magnificent! Thanks. If I were listening and not watching I would have surely thought: Eastman. But you have done as fine a job as that ensemble, conducted by the formidable conductor, Frederick Fennell.

[@jemiller226]

TKWO is a professional band, not a community group, and Fennell conducted Kosei for over a decade. This video is actually after that point. He must have come back as a guest or emeritus.

[@aphaia07]

Fennell has been their Conductor Emeritus since 1996, after leading the band from 80s, over a decade.

[@ianthompson9201]

Superb!!!

[@jennconducts]

86 years old.

[@ぱんだ-x6o]

I am japaneas. 東京オリンピックの関係でクラウンインペリアルを吹くことになった高校3年生です。 最後直前まで最高音がhiGからの最後の最後にhihiCがバテてしまってどうしても出ないです。 ハイトーンの練習方でいい方法は無いですか？

[@Skylark_Jones]

See what wonders human beings can bring about when they cooperate. Of course, KZbin would put an ad in the middle of this great performance, wouldn't they?! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤡

[@Belfreyite]

Heartily agree and would add that composers like Holst and Walton were far more succinct than ever Mahler was.

[@juanmanuelparadacontreras9565]

Una gran ejecución en la extensión de la palabra de esta agrupación.

[@mangobalaclava3329]

2:43 im crying why does the bassist make it look so easy

[@paulblichmann2791]

Usually it's so fast that bass/tuba part is a joke...play the eighth notes and ghost the rest!

[@vinceturner3863]

Great sound and lovely wind ensemble. It's played with precision and rhythmic accuracy, the overall tempo is just a tad too slow for me.

[@wayneerickson4979]

Great performance! Perhaps a bit too much tenor sax at times. Always enjoyed Fennell's conducting and interpretations.

[@cobblestonegenerator]

Wayne Erickson well william walton had a very healthy obsession with jazz, so it makes sense for that to be a thing you hear.

[@paulblichmann2791]

It's not covering lower clarinet so I don't see the harm. Probably a "rover"part doubling euphonium, low horn, whoever needs backup at that moment.

[@TimothyReeves]

4:20 contrabass clarinet!

[@Brad4Ellis]

I was wondering if it was an EEb Contra-alto or a BBb Contrabass. I bet you're right!

[@earlviney2820]

the best arrangement I've ever heard of crown imperial was Jim wedge's who arranged for the famous 27th lancers drum and bugle corps in 75 and 76. look it up on you tube.

[@cattycorner8]

Yep, my high school marching band actually did that chart in- I think- 1973-74

[@rebeltuba9422]

I was amazed not only with their fantastic sound but with the difficulty of the marching while playing at that unbelievably high level.

[@nagitorio]

フレデリック・フェネルさんは神様だ。フェネル神社をここに建てよう。

[@clclpanda]

小倉先生がお若い…

Next song up " Bridge on the River Kwai"

[@paulblichmann2791]

When King Chuck gets coronated will the march be better than this?? Or will it be auto-tuned mumble-rap.

[@Osk0999]

精華女子がマーチングで演奏してて知ったけどここまで高尚な曲だとは知らなかった

[@peace-now]

Outstanding! Love the Japanese people!

[@brucekuehn4031]

And they love band music!

[@peace-now]

@@brucekuehn4031 They will love Sousa then - as do I.

[@林稟宗]

2:20

[@なかた-g7w]

田中先生、お若い、、

[@cha-lv4sm]

3:52 自分用

[@わんわんお-g6h]

須川さんわっけぇw

[@いかl]

みんな若い笑

[@Mobil-e]

一番気に入った曲

[@927drummerboy]

It is most difficult for the oriental psyche to understand the pomp of the British empire. Even though they play the piece with the utmost beauty, the "Grandioso" towards the end never quite reaches the intended majesty of the "Crown", as is visible with Maestro Fennell's facial expression. Their success of this piece belies the "genius" of Fennell's conducting.

[@aintthatsomeshit2920]

In other words, the tempo is off - haha

[@carlynpinkins1182]

What a load of racist nonsense.

[@dafyddmanton2981]

How very pompous and condescending

[@civwar054]

You apparently have never met many "orientals" ...as you call them.

[@colinbaldwin3833]

Pompous twaddle.

[@oldschooldrumcorps]

tempo! much too slow for a march! especially this one! beautifully played, but just a little slow in tempo which takes away some of the "grand-ness" of the piece

[@raymondolino]

Think of HM the Queeen coming down the isle of Westminster abbey....it really is not to slow.......maybe for a concert, but just for a few moments transport yourself to a crowning ceremony it would need to be regal and noble.....to be fair I think this fits the bill !

[@jimslancio]

A slower tempo adds to, not detracts from. the grandness. Most performances of Crown Imperial are too fast. A performance in under ten minutes is wither cut or too fast.

[@troykawahara4496]

To the people who argue for a slow/slower tempo: I don't know. I think it is best to take the trio section slower and the rest of the march much faster. I see it as the open capturing the excitement and energy of a coronation. People talking and cheering with excitement, waving flags and feeling British. And at the climax of that, we get a first glimpse of the Queen/King. The melody goes from loud brass fanfares and rapid woodwind flourishes, to, at first, a subdued and refined, then solemn and stately melody. The presence of His/Her Majesty has brought the audience to a silent contemplation of their place in the world and then a swell of national pride, simply feeling the gravity of the moment. The trio passes and the excitement once again picks up. The trio theme comes around again, this time almost as a strut. And finally, the piece ends almost in a timeless/tempoless manner as the designated ruler comes to where the coronation will occur, almost as if to suggest "Long Live the King/Queen!" I don't think this is a bad version at all. It is technically very clean. But I don't think the work gains anything from the additional propriety that comes with taking the general tempo slower. I do think, though, that the work is generally more exciting when the florid woodwind passages are much snappier and you can feel the excitement contrasted by the profundity of the trio. It should, in my opinion, have a similar feel to the mercurial opening and ending of Jupiter (from the Planets) which is balanced by the middle lyrical, andante section. The key here is contrast: vitality and profundity. While this recording is technically very polished, I think it lacks this contrast that, I think, would make it an absolutely stunning performance. The trio and end were perfect just the way they are, but the other sections of the work should be faster to capture the energy previously described. That's just my two cents.

[@Cuthbert25]

This march was composed for the coronation of King George VI in 1937. It was to accompany the newly crowned monarch as he processed slowly from his position in the centre of Westminster Abbey to the West door. You shound not expect this march to be taken at 120 bps. It is supposed to be slow and majestic.

[@dafyddmanton2981]

@@troykawahara4496 This a march. It is exactly at the speed the Royal Air Force marches to, i.e 120 ppm. Those who argue are obviously not trained troops.