John Philip Sousa - King Cotton [Fennell, TKWO]

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

In loving memory to the great maestro Frederick Fennell.

No copyrights infringment intended.

[jonothantaylor]

As I was told, Fennell’s father took him to see a Sousa concert as a very young boy and he was hooked.
The Japanese Wind community reveres this man. If you ever get a chance to hear one of their military service bands, you will immediately recognize the man’s contribution.

[mathbrown]

Fredrick Fennell was the greatest wind instrument and percussion conductor since J.P. Sousa. As I have proclaimed on other videos featuring Mr. Fennell, he was an absolute gentleman to everyone. I loved the man, never performed in any of his ensembles, only Brian Bowman, the greatest Euphonium performer in the world could be qualified enough. However, with Mr. Fennell in the audience (Western Int’l Band Clinic, 86ish) he took the time to approach me and offer me his thanks for my performance: “When Jesus Wept”, along with a USAF Trumpet soloist. He was just so fine to everyone he met. Thanks for letting me share.

[MrKlemps]

Over 50 years after his seminal recordings with the Eastman School Wind Ensemble, he got this group from Tokyo to play this music just precisely and musically. He must have been close to 90 by then!

[Cardinal]

In the 1880's my grandmother lived in the Midwest USA. Before jazz or fine music reached her it was Protestant church music that she knew and loved - hymns that were her life. John Philip Sousa was her rock star and his marches were the "rock" music of her time.

[foodmore]

Thanks for the upload. We need more tkwo videos on YouTube! Sad that there isn't more comments here.

[brucebailey-bp]

I played in his Wind Ensemble in the 1960s and later became a close friend in later years. He always had a term "wait for one' and it was posted on the rehearsal room wall. I now conduct a city band and preparing the next concert using one of the top Sousa Marches, King Cotton. Listen to the break up strain in the trio and WAIT. Like good ballet. For a dandy Sousa march check out the US Marine Band doing "The Man Behind the Gun" with Jason Fettig probably the best band director today.

[vonmazur]

I would loved to have heard Fennell conducting Gunkan Machi or Umi Yu Kaba....Now that would have been something to hear!!

[gerardleidet]

Une version de référence de cette très belle marche de J P Sousa.

[Otokichi]

This reminds me of "The Tokyo Wind Orchestra" (2017) movie, where this tune is played (badly) by an amateur community band on Yakushima island.;)

[jb]

Conductor Frederick Fennell, (July 2, 1914 – December 7, 2004)

[radnerbearman]

Dont you know it would be great fun playing with him directing ?

[maplemuffin]

I wish they repeated each stanza just one more time. 
Otherwise a good interpretation!