Ffortissimo: A Bio-discography of Frederick Fennell : The first forty years, 1953 to 1993

The definitive biography of the legendary conductor who was responsible for the promotion of the symphonic wind ensemble. Filled with photos and information covering forty years of Fennell's recording career, including his time as conductor of the famed Eastman Wind Ensemble. Appendices include: "Study/performance essays and articles by Frederick Fennell": pp.328-330. "Music editions/arrangements/compositions by Frederick Fennell": pp.331-332. Indexes. Frederick Fennell (1914-2004) was an American band conductor of international renown "arguably the most famous band conductor since John Philip Sousa." He was among the very first band conductors to establish the wind ensemble as performing group. Having performed under the personal direction of Sousa at a student concert in 1931, Fennell received music degrees from the Eastman School of Music, with further studies in Austria (1938) and with Serge Koussevitzky at Tanglewood (1942) - a classmate of Leonard Bernstein - before serving with the USO during WW II. He became assistant director to Kousevitzky in 1948, returing to Eastman in 1952. During his long and illustrious career he conducted in many renowned ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestran, the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, The Boston Pops, Minneapolis Symphony, and Miami Philharmonic. In 1997, Fennell was the first civilian chosen to conduct an entire concert of the United States Marine Band. This special honor was repeated at a performance at the Kennedy Center a year later.