Gottschalk, Battle Cry of Freedom (abridged), op. 55

In America's Musical Life, Richard Crawford (to whom this performance is dedicated) writes, "The Battle Cry of Freedom, a recruiting song for the Union army, offered a potent mix of soul-stirring ingredients: the flag, the collective cheer, the notion of fighting for a high ideal, the blunt statement of the Union's goal in less than ten words ("Down with the traitor! / Up with the Star!). . ."
I hope those who know this tune mostly from Jacqueline Schwab's contemplative version for Ken Burns' The Civil War will be entertained by this very different version, which is perhaps more in the spirit of what was originally a rallying song. Gottschalk dedicated his "Caprice de Concert" "to my friend George F. Root", the composer of "The Battle Cry of Freedom." In his Introduction to The Civil War Songbook, Crawford notes that "of the war's most famous patriotic songs, only Root's 'The Battle Cry of Freedom' had both words and music freshly composed with an ultimately patriotic purpose in mind." In America's Musical Life, Crawford quotes Root, "If I could not shoulder a musket in defense of my country, I could serve her in this way."
The Union forever,
Hurrah boys, hurrah!
Down with the Traitor,
Up with the Star;
While we rally round the flag, boys,
Rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.
2:15 ben cantanto
3:03 Brillante
3:46 Trionfale
Note: Gottschalk's original contains many verbatim repetitions of phrases and even sections, which I have cut. This actually fits the structure of Root's chorus better, without leaving any pianistic effect out. Actually, if I had to do it again, I’d cut even more, as it does take a bit of time for this piece to get going.
An old video of another Gottschalk composition:
• Gottschalk Pasquinade
Another concert piece based on an American patriotic tune:
• Sebastian Bach Mills (...

[@DavidMalone74]

Word!!!

[@wendyzohar8596]

Masterful! Bravo!