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Battle Hymn of the Republic (Smith)

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William Steffe

William Steffe (arr. Claude T. Smith)


General Info

Year: 1861 / 1982 / 1997
Duration: c. 6:15
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Claude T. Smith Publications, Inc. through C.L. Barnhouse
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00   |   Score Only - $15.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Field Drum
  • Gong
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

A stirring masterpiece which begins with an imaginative introduction using fragments of the theme. As the work develops, the tonality also changes between major and minor keys evolving into the next section, using the familiar Civil War melody “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” An off-stage cadenza follows with muffled drums and muted trumpets. The triumphant finale is sparked by a modulation accompanied by a strident rhythmic background. This is a grand concert finale especially fitting for patriotic events.

- Program Note from publisher


William Steffe (1830–1890) collected and edited a camp-meeting song with the traditional Glory Hallelujah refrain, in about 1856. It opened with "Say, brothers, will you meet us / on Canaan's happy shore?" The tune became widely known. Early in the American Civil War, this tune was used to create the Union army marching song John Brown's Body, which begins with the lyrics "John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, but his soul goes marching on."

In November 1861, Julia Ward Howe, having heard this version, used the tune as the basis of her new verse, later known as Battle Hymn of the Republic, also known as Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory outside of the United States. Howe's more famous lyrics were written in November 1861 and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. The song links the judgment of the wicked at the end of time (New Testament, Rev. 19) with the American Civil War. Since that time, it has become an extremely popular and well-known American patriotic song.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

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