Search - United States Marine Band :: Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief

Yankee Colonel | Fredericksburg, Virginia United States | 01/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hail to the Chief is unique, educational and without question, absolutely wonderful!



I was initially puzzled by the selections but as I began to listen and read the short narrative that is offered I started to realize I was being taken on a very different trip through American history. Consequently, the impact of the program had a totally unexpected and fascinating effect.



I was not just mesmerized by the sounds I heard, the arrangements which were presented or the memorable utterances of some of our Chief Executives. I was completely entranced by the realization that these men and others who had held the office of President of the United States, had listened and reacted to the same music the CD offers. It gave me an insight into their humanity that text books cannot provide.



As an example, I hadn't known the original sheet music for the "Star Spangled Banner" was arranged differently from the way we listen to it today --- who know how many Americans heard it played that way?



I had never actually thought about the fact that Washington might have actually heard "Hail Columbia" played, just as I was hearing it.



I was a bit startled that Chester Arthur commanded Sousa to compose what became the "Presidential Polonaise" and tried to imagine how much pressure he, (Sousa), must have felt in doing the President's bidding. (By the way, after listening to that unquestionably superb composition of the "March King", I must admit despite its delightful sound, I'm very pleased that we no longer use that as the official march of the President and we have returned to "Hail to the Chief".)



I vividly recall watching the casket of President Kennedy being carried over the steps of the Capitol and listening to "The Navy Hymn" and the music recaptured that moment as if it was yesterday.



It wasn't solely the music I savored but it was also the historical images they engendered. Indeed, music affects all "ages"!



The CD is a professional product that will hopefully be enjoyed by thousands for many years to come.

"

Hail to the Chief

George Barkman | Breinigsville, PA United States | 02/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hail to the Chief is the latest of about twenty-seven CDs offered by "Altissimo!", which offer recordings of the USA's fine military service musical organizations. Until Altissimo!, these recording were very rare and just about impossible to find. Thanks to Altissimo! every one can appreciate and enjoy the fine music of these top-notch musical organizations.

The program in Hail to the Chief is a tribute to our presidents. It is a varied program that shows the depth of the music played by one of America's oldest, established in 1798, and finest musical organizations, the United States Marine Band. This CD contains twenty-one marches and other classical numbers from Sousa to Strauss to Tchaikovsky. Some of the music in the CD is rare and for this reason alone of interest to music history buffs. One of these selections is a recording of the "Star-Spangled Banner" using the earliest published arrangement (1814) of the anthem. Another is the "Solemn March" played at Lincoln's funeral. Also included a rarely recorded Sousa piece, "Easter Monday on the White House Lawn." There is also an historic 1906 recording of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag."

The recording also contains excerpts from speeches made by five of our presidents four of which were from inaugural addresses. The program notes explain the musical selections and how each was of interest to the various presidents.

The only negative, and it is not with the CD itself, is that the program notes do not include recording dates, where recorded and who the conductor of the band was. I highly recommend this CD to all interested in the America's patriotic music as well as the serious collector of military music and those interested in the musical roots of our country.

George Barkman



"

Another Great Altissimo! Release

Lee Silvi | Ohio | 01/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to the latest CD from Altissimo! brought pleasure to my ears. Whether you like listening to ballads, waltzes, Hungarian Dances, or marches you will find something on this CD that you will love to listen to. This wonderful compilation presents the listener with music favored by 23 of our United States Presidents, and includes bonus tracks of excerpts from four inaugural speeches."