As a student I had the opportunity I had the extreme privilege of playing in about 3 select bands for James Nielson. Later, in college he directed our college symphonic band at a reading clinic at BGSU where many high school bands were present. Three years later he did a conductors master class for a week at BGSU and they assembled a student band to play for the week. I was there attending summer school. Got to play lead cornet/trumpet. He was such a gentleman with a dry sense of humor. Finding this recording brought tears to my eyes. A truly great performance and a truly great maestro.
I got to play this for Mr. Neilson in a select band in h.s. If you pick up the tempo it definitely makes the fanfare harder, but that tempo isn't tooooooo fast. James Neilson was one of the great men it was my privilege to meet, play for and talk to over a period of 5 or 6 years.
great playing and recording i played this in a 7th thru12th hs at state band contest 1962 recieved superior rank of course we didnt play this well but we did play at this tempo! (25 of 70 members were 7th and 8 th grade students)
The piece starts out in 2/2 (cut time), but the first woodwind ostinato is in 4/4. I guess that saves a bit of space and ensures that the players play the rhythms precisely. The allegro portion (beginning with the fugue) is in cut time. Though much of the Allegro to begin with is in 6 beat cycles (could be written in 6/4--or 6/2). Keeping most of it in a uniform cut time is a good solution to all the changing meter schemes where 4 wouldn't work perfectly. Clifton uses 4/4 for all the ostinatos
Yes, that's my Dad on the right playing 1st flute, during the time he was assistant Principal flute with the CSO. Next to him would be Ralph Johnson, who played 2nd flute in the CSO, and I believe that was Ben Gaskins playing piccolo next to Ralph. Ben was the principal piccolo with CSO before he died in '58 and my dad became piccolo. Nice piece, huh?
The fanfare is way too fast. The first 8 measures of the allegro are way too slow. It is at a correct tempo for some parts, but more of it is way too fast. I wouldn't show this to anyone if I was trying to teach then their parts.
@Music-vv9fz bro this comment is from 11 years ago when I was a senior in high school. I'm 29 now and tbh I don't know why I was so triggered by this. I think it sounds fine.
![[Full Score] Clifton WiIliams - Fanfare and Allegro (1956) for symphonic band](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XUefWa2_YaA/mqdefault.jpg)
![[Full Score] Clifton WiIliams - Fanfare and Allegro (1956) for symphonic band](/img/tr.png)
As a student I had the opportunity I had the extreme privilege of playing in about 3 select bands for James Nielson. Later, in college he directed our college symphonic band at a reading clinic at BGSU where many high school bands were present. Three years later he did a conductors master class for a week at BGSU and they assembled a student band to play for the week. I was there attending summer school. Got to play lead cornet/trumpet. He was such a gentleman with a dry sense of humor. Finding this recording brought tears to my eyes. A truly great performance and a truly great maestro.
One of the finer articulated and crisp versions of the opening in the trumpets I've heard-wonderful recording!
That echo at the end is just so good. It reflects how amazing and awesome this peice is.
Very nice recording. I remember performing this when I was in the US Army.
I got to play this for Mr. Neilson in a select band in h.s. If you pick up the tempo it definitely makes the fanfare harder, but that tempo isn't tooooooo fast. James Neilson was one of the great men it was my privilege to meet, play for and talk to over a period of 5 or 6 years.
I would like to echo your comment ! ! thanks !
This is an amazing photo and recording. Thanks for posting.
Ray Still is Amazing!!!
great playing and recording
i played this in a 7th thru12th hs at state band contest 1962 recieved superior rank
of course we didnt play this well but we did play at this tempo!
(25 of 70 members were 7th and 8 th grade students)
nice to see this caliber of musicians (smaller school 7-12) making comments of this nature. Shows respect to a very high class of musicians.
Clark Brody (clarinetist on this recording) died today at age 98.
Great to hear and see this AMAZING performance!
They played the two woodwind ostinatos very very fast.
Now--this was at the time that the piece was written, so I can't complain about it.
James Neilson was my great-uncle!!!
people making cynical remarks on this post owe you an apology ! ! . . . . you have my respect.
The piece starts out in 2/2 (cut time), but the first woodwind ostinato is in 4/4. I guess that saves a bit of space and ensures that the players play the rhythms precisely.
The allegro portion (beginning with the fugue) is in cut time. Though much of the Allegro to begin with is in 6 beat cycles (could be written in 6/4--or 6/2).
Keeping most of it in a uniform cut time is a good solution to all the changing meter schemes where 4 wouldn't work perfectly. Clifton uses 4/4 for all the ostinatos
LOL. I don't think Dr. Williams was too worried about your thoughts on how to notate music.
Don Jacoby playing trumpet..I have this recording...
I have yet to find a recording of this piece (on this website) that is surpasses this performance.
US Marine Band recording from 1963 comes damned close.
@okcmaestro83 amen
It would be assemble a group of musicians that surpassed the one assembled for this recording.
Looks like Wally Kujala on the right, playing flute or piccolo.
Yes, that's my Dad on the right playing 1st flute, during the time he was assistant Principal flute with the CSO. Next to him would be Ralph Johnson, who played 2nd flute in the CSO, and I believe that was Ben Gaskins playing piccolo next to Ralph. Ben was the principal piccolo with CSO before he died in '58 and my dad became piccolo. Nice piece, huh?
@tromuniapp
Sorry, but the tempi are much too fast. I've got the score. Fennell is closest to the original tempo indications on the score.
The fanfare is way too fast. The first 8 measures of the allegro are way too slow. It is at a correct tempo for some parts, but more of it is way too fast. I wouldn't show this to anyone if I was trying to teach then their parts.
OK, then don't "show this to anyone" if you are "trying to teach [sic] then their parts."
@Music-vv9fz bro this comment is from 11 years ago when I was a senior in high school. I'm 29 now and tbh I don't know why I was so triggered by this. I think it sounds fine.