Chimes of Liberty, The (arr. Custer)

From Wind Repertory Project
Edwin Franko Goldman

Edwin Franko Goldman (arr. Calvin Custer)


General Info

Year: 1922 / 1995
Duration: c. 3:25
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishers
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $57.00; (digital) - $57.00   |   Score Only (print) - $10.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes (or Bells)
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


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


Media


State Ratings

  • Indiana: ISSMA JH/MS/ELEM BAND GROUP II
  • Kansas: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Avon Lake (Ohio) High School Concert Band (Josh Brunger, conductor) - 28 January 2024 (Severance Music Center, Cleveland)
  • Rancho Cordova (Calif.) River City Concert Band (Tom Seaton, conductor) - 5 June 2022
  • Knoxville Christian Youth Bands - 17 November 2020


Works for Winds by this Composer


Resources