Chimes of Liberty, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Edwin Franko Goldman

Edwin Franko Goldman


General Info

Year: 1922 / 1937
Duration: c. 3:15
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Piano
Publisher: Feist
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Condensed Score
D-flat Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Bass Saxophone
B-flat Cornet Solo-I-II-III
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash cymbals
  • Snare drum


Errata

  • Basses. m.36, beat 1: After the Trio, clarify quarter note (G) should read half note (G)
  • Basses. m.49, 1st ending: After the Trio clarify 1st ending bracket (above staff), misprinted in some parts.


Program Notes

One of his most popular marches, “The Chimes of Liberty” reflected Goldman’s pride in his country. His concern for other countries and world peace was evident as well: the march was written in 1922 to commemorate the Washington Conference for the Limitation of Armaments. The chimes are featured prominently, carrying the melody in the trio. The march also boasts a piccolo solo that rivals the piccolo solo in John Philip Sousa’s march The Stars and Stripes Forever.

- Program Note by Marine Band


Chimes of Liberty is a military march by Edwin Franko Goldman (1878–1956). It vies with On the Mall (another march) as Goldman's greatest hit.

Many think Chimes of Liberty is a re-working of the Liberty Bell (march) by John Philip Sousa; however, although the influence of Sousa on Goldman is unquestionable, the two marches are totally different, being written by different composers, each with a different tone. Nonetheless (like Sousa's Liberty Bell) Goldman's Chimes of Liberty does use chimes. It follows the regular march pattern: IAABBCDCDC. This march was written prior to 1922, when Goldman recorded it for the Victor Talking Machine Company, but he revised it at least once before publishing the 1937 edition now largely in use.

Chimes of Liberty is considered one of the most lively and tuneful marches ever written, and possibly America's greatest march not by Sousa, after National Emblem March by Edwin Eugene Bagley. It doesn't sound right without the chimes, but the piccolo is equally important. The piccolo solo is more distinctive than the piccolo part of any other march with exception of "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by Sousa.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Goldman's pride in his country is reflected in such titles as Builders of America, America Grand March, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Freedom Forever, and Old Glory Forever. He was also concerned with other countries and with world peace. During a radio address regarding the status bands (over the NBC affiliate station WTAM in Cleveland, Ohio), Goldman stated, "I hope that strictly 'military bands' will soon have no military duties – and that wars will be a thing of the past." Like many of his marches, this chimes specialty has a robust introduction, a variety of dynamics and well-written countermelodies in the first two strains, and a simple and singable melody in the trio.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


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Works for Winds by This Composer


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