Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: February 15, 2025

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features Hungarian music and Hungarian composers. Born in Hungary and famous for his operettas, Franz Lehar has a strong wind-band heritage. Truth be told, he’s actually Franz Lehar, Jr., the son of Franz Lehar, Sr., the bandmaster of Regiment 50 of the Austro-Hungarian Army. After attending the Prague Conservatory, Franz Lehar, Jr., became an assistant bandmaster in his father’s band at age 18. But 2 years later, he became the youngest bandmaster in the Autro-Hungarian Army. Then he became a bandmaster in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. Yes, the Austro-Hungarian Empire had a Navy because it was not land locked. It accessed the Mediterranean Sea mostly through the port of Trieste, now part of Italy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire controlled most of what is now the northeastern corner of Italy and much of the Croation Coast.

1. Oliosi Attack March
   Composer:  Franz Lehar, Sr. (1838-1898)
   Performer:  Budapest Symphonic Band
   Album:  Lehár Dinasty Marches
     
2. It Starts Just Now
   Composer:  Franz Lehar, Jr. (1870-1948)
   Performer:  Budapest Symphonic Band
   Album:  Lehár Dinasty Marches
     
3. Mika (Gracy Kelly & Lollipop)
   Composer:  Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr., a.k.a. MIKA (1983- )
   Performer:  Police Band of Baden Wurttenburg
   Album:  Light Music, Vol. 3
     
4. Stallion of the Cimarron
   Composer:  Hans Zimmer (1957- )
   Performer:  Police Band of Baden Wurttenburg
   Album:  Light Music, Vol. 3
     
5. Concerto in B-flat Major: Marcia
   Composer:  Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781)
   Performer:  Colligium Musicum Prague
   Album:  Myslivecek: Il divino boemo
     
6. Concerto in B-flat Major: Menuetto
   Composer:  Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781)
   Performer:  Colligium Musicum Prague
   Album:  Myslivecek: Il divino boemo
     
7. Concerto in B-flat Major: Polonese
   Composer:  Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781)
   Performer:  Colligium Musicum Prague
   Album:  Myslivecek: Il divino boemo
     
8. Concerto in B-flat Major: Vivo
   Composer:  Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781)
   Performer:  Colligium Musicum Prague
   Album:  Myslivecek: Il divino boemo
     
9. Concerto in B-flat Major: Finale
   Composer:  Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781)
   Performer:  Colligium Musicum Prague
   Album:  Myslivecek: Il divino boemo
     
10. Rakoczi March (After F. Liszt)
    Composer:   Franz Liszt, arranged by Laszlo Marosi (1960- )
    Performer:  Hungarian Army Wind Orchestra
    Album:  Ferenc Liszt Marches
      
11. Ebb Tide
    Composer:  Carl Sigman (lyrics, 1909-2000) & Robert Maxwell (1921-2012)
    Performer:  Terry Snyder & His All Stars
    Album:  Gentle Purr-Cussion
      
12. Softly as in the Morning Sunrise
    Composer:  Sigmund Romberg (music, 1887-1951) & Frank Mandel (lyrics, 1884-1958)
    Performer:  Terry Snyder & His All Stars
    Album:  Unique Percussion
      
13. Misty
    Composer:  Errol Garner (1921-1977)
    Performer:  Cal Tjader
    Album:  Best of Latin Jazz
      
14. Variety Stomp (1927 recording)
    Composer:  Jo Trent (1892-1954), Fletcher Henderson (1897-1952) & Charlie Green (1893-1935)
    Performer:  Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
    Album:  Only big Band CD You’ll Ever Need
    June Cole plays the tuba on this recording.
      
15. March No. 2 in E-Flat Major
    Composer:  Antonín Vranický (1761-1820)
    Performer:  Netherlands Wind Ensemble
    Album:  Little Marches by Great Composers