by Claude T. Smith
Disc: SMITH CONDUCTS SMITH: THE MUSIC OF CLAUDE T. SMITH VOLUME 4: MASTERWORKS
Recording: Recording: University of Kansas Symphonic Band & Southwestern State University Wind Symphony
Conductors: Robert E. Foster & Dr. James W. Jurrens
Publisher: MARK Vintage Series (reissued from Golden Crest) 55994-MCD
Volume 4 in this superb Claude T. Smith series continues the same quality and professionalism put into an outstanding collection of a legendary band composer. The program begins with Dance Prelude; a most infectious rhythmic essay that will dazzle your senses. Moresca: A Dance Pantomime is a splendid portrait of dance and variation with several solo passages. Santiago Carnival is a very descriptive Latin American music festival. Jubilant Prelude features Smith’s gift for combining dynamic writing and expressive solo lines. Symphony No.1 is a four movement work filled with plenty of brilliance and lyricism…notice the creative use of mallet percussion in the Toccata. Shenandoah: A Sea Fantasy sheds a symphonic light on this beloved folk tune which is also known as Across the Wide Missouri (Smith was born in Monroe City, Missouri). Festival Variations has quite deservedly been frequently performed and recorded by bands/wind ensembles throughout the world. Volume 4, along with the three preceding volumes are highly recommended for your band listening library.
