Morton Gould's 1943 American Salute was written for a radio broadcast--and, according to the All Music Guide, ovenight. It stands out in its cluttered field because it's so extraordinarily effective--otherwise, it's one in a zillion. Anyone who digs through old sheet music has encountered enough varitaions on/odes to Yankee Doodle; America; Hail, Columbia; and Star-Spangled Banner to fill the memory banks of a hundred collectors. By 1943, a rhapsody on Louis Lambert's 1863 When Johnny Comes Marching Home was more of a cliche than "Let's put on a show!" But who cares? It hits the mark, and then some.
The magnificent Civil War march in question originated as the Irish ballad Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye, a denunciation of war so bitter as to make Where Have All the Flowers Gone sound like Wouldn't It Be Loverly.
Louis Moreau Gottschalk, who wrote louder and flashier patrotic "Pops" pieces in the 19th century, might have advised Gould to add a piano. Or two, or three. At least four.
American Salute (Morton Gould), National Symphony Orchestra. From RCA Victor LP set.
Played as it should be played--with the orchestra blowing the roof off the studio. Take that, Boston Pops!
Lee
Saturday, May 27, 2006
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4 comments:
This is one great piece of music, and yes, Fiedler and his style of wave-the-baton-until-the-orchestra-finishes could have taken a few lessons from this (or any other passable) conductor. Loved it loved it loved it. Makes the marches I put up tonight oale in comparison.
But I overdid myself, making postings to ALL THREE blogs.... eee-yipe.
I hate technology...
Happy Memorial Day to you & the Feline Following
... I meant "PALE" in comparison.
Racing soon, brain numb, need beer.
Brad,
I like "oale." It evokes an image of something turning into liquid. ("I'm mellllllting!!")
Seriously, thanks. Yes, that version kicks butt. Fiedler's stuff is too gentile for me. I think his audience wanted it that way, though.
Lee
Could you repost the music?
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