by Carlos Chavez
Album Title: LATIN WINDS
Recording: Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Conductor: Clark Rundell & Mark Heron
Publisher: Chanos Chan 10975 Purchase
Among the exquisite RNCM recordings are some international themed wind classics (German, French, etc.). Latin Winds continues this fine tradition with legendary works for wind orchestra by three well-known composers. Heitor Villa-Lobos is represented by a pair of compositions written for the famous American Wind Symphony Orchestra. The Fantasia in Three Movements in the Form of a Choros is based on Brazilian free improvised song while Concerto Grosso features a woodwind quartet as the principal soloists. Joaquin Rodrigo’s Adagio for Wind Orchestra is a popular composition frequently performed by ensembles worldwide. Per la flor del lliri Blau (For the Blue Lily) is Rodrigo’s own wind orchestra arrangement of a programmatic 1934 orchestral work. The final work on Latin Winds is the only piece for standard concert band instrumentation. Carlos Chavez’s Chapultepec is the composer’s unique setting of three popular Mexican tunes; the most familiar piece is Marcha Proviniana based on Zacatecas (Genaro Codina). Bravo! to this wonderful collection from the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra.
