SHOSTAKOVICH Festive Overture, Op. 96 - 'The President's Own' U.S. Marine Band

[gray]

I swear every time I listen to a new performance of this piece it's in a different key signature

[michaelhung]

By far the best I've heard this piece but is anyone else slightly bothered by the key

[darklord]

Ohhh... I'm sure not how i like it in Bb. But man, it is so much easier to play the runs on flute in this key.

[neaultp]

"Faster than a speeding bullet!"

[huskerguy]

Outstanding! Took me a second to figure it was in b flat. Although I am a dark sound guy(bass clarinet in wind ensemble, contra in drum corps), the brightness lends itself well to the lightness and just flat out SPEED of the ensemble.
Absolutely love it! Bravo!!

[rexsagle]

We just started to rehearse this great overture. what a lot of fun, such a an inspiring piece of music

[jmeyerrn]

Amazing, awesome. First heard this performed by IU music clinic students when my daughter played f horn in high school.

[jmcrml]

In this version clarinet Bb has the same score than clarinet A in orchestral symphonic version.
Holly tempo !!

[tl]

Holy damn! I don't think an orchestra could have played it any faster!

[twistedwoodworks]

Love the key, which is easier for a symphonic band to play. Now I will not listen to a recording of this that is over 6 minutes. Brilliant performance!

[johnfrazier]

Beautiful playing by ALL, me thinks I know who played the solo!

[BCoulter]

Is this arrangement available to purchase? I definitely like this arrangement, even better than Donald Hunsberger's transcription.

[_rhen]

I'll admit that I like this better than the Hunsberger. Retains the festiveness better played higher rather than lower in my opinion

[stuartjackson]

This is much closer to the tempi I'm used to hearing from orchestral performances of this work. I don't know if a band could play the Hunsberger transcription that fast because of the euphonium part. As a euphonium player, I'd be bummed if I was playing this arrangement but, speaking as a listener, this is much more exciting. Having said all that, I like it in A-flat better. B-flat is just too bright.

[DrakeLovett]

It is evident that it starts just a bit too fast (after the intro of course), as the woodwinds sound ever so slightly panicked, it does slow throughout until it gets settled and then sounds absolutely amazing. It was interesting to hear it in Bb, not sure if I like the Ab or the Bb more, would probably be easier for everyone in Bb though.

[waynebritton]

Are we sure that isn't just the Marine band's recording manually sped up. I just listened to another President's Own that was in a lower key and a more traditional tempo. They are both from 7 years ago. This sounds like the same recording just with the speed jacked up. Why would they record one the same year in 2 different keys and 2 different tempos. Just posing a question.

[VallejoBrawler]

This is not a good reference recording for mere humans.

[yaboyjosh]

Carolina forest high school played it just as good as the marines.