On the Mall (arr Leidzen)

From Wind Repertory Project
Edwin Franko Goldman

Edwin Franko Goldman (arr. Erik Leidzén)


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General Info

Year: 1923 / 1938
Duration: c. 3:10
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

This sing-along/whistle-along march was written in 1923 for the dedication of the Elkan Naumberg Bandshell in Central Park. The title derives from the park's spacious mall where the bandstand is located and where New Yorkers enjoy gathering to listen to concerts. The march was composed and arranged in collaboration with Mayhew Lake in 1923 and rearranged by Erik Leidzén in 1937. Richard Franko Goldman (a well-known composer is his own right) stated in a letter that his father "did not think much of the march at the time and was astonished that it became the most popular of all of his compositions." In January 1956, Goldman conducted this march as an encore at the Nels Vogel Clinic in Moorhead, Minnesota. It was the last piece he would ever conduct.

Like many of Goldman's other marches, On the Mall has explicit expression marks, including staccato quarter notes and accented half notes. In his book Band Betterment he was rather insistent on another point: he wanted his marches played at a tempo between 120 and 128 beats per minute.

- Program Note by Program Notes for Band


On the Mall, the popular march composed by American bandmaster Edwin Franko Goldman (1878—1956), vies with Chimes of Liberty as his two most popular compositions. The phrase “On the Mall” refers to the Mall at the Naumburg Bandshell, where the famous Goldman Band frequently performed in New York City’s Central Park. Goldman composed On the Mall to honor local philanthropist Elkan Naumburg, who financed the bandshell construction in 1923.

When Goldman performed On the Mall with his band, he often encouraged the audience to whistle the catchy tune of the trio section along with the band, eventually letting the crowd carry the melody “solo.” The tradition of whistling that trio melody continues to this day.

- Program Note from Shujitsu Junior and Senior High School Wind Ensemble concert program, 17 December 2015


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by this Composer


Resources

  • Goldman, Edwin F. (2018). "Chapter XII: 'On the Mall,' [Excerpted from "Facing the Music," the unfinished autobiography of Edwin Franko Goldman.] Contributed by Robert S. Cutler and William D. Clark. Journal of Band Research 53, no. 2 (Spring 2018): 63-70.
  • Pease, Andy. "On the Mall by Edwin Franko Goldman. " Wind Band Literature. Web. Accessed 27 September 2018
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 237.
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