King Cotton - John Philip Sousa

Описание: It is a curious fact of the music world that marches written for fairs and expositions almost always fade into oblivion. Two notable exceptions are Sousa’s “King Cotton March” and “The Fairest of the Fair.” The former was written for the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895, and the latter for the Boston Food Fair of 1908.

Sousa and his band had great drawing power at fairs and expositions and were much sought after. But officials of the Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta attempted to cancel their three-week contract with the Sousa Band because of serious financial difficulties. At Sousa’s insistence they honored their contract, and at the first concert they became aware of their shortsightedness. Atlanta newspapers carried rave reviews of the band’s performances.

The Sousa Band did indeed bring the exposition “out of the red,” and the same officials who had tried to cancel Sousa’s engagement pleaded with him to extend it. “King Cotton” was named the official march of the exposition, and it has since become one of the perennial Sousa favorites.

-- Program note in the score excerpted from Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984).

The Oklahoma City Symphonic Band is under the direction of Dr. Mark G. Belcik.

Dances!

This concert presented February 21, 2023 at Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Three Celtic Dances – Brian Balmages
   • Three Celtic Dances - Brian Balmages  

Chorale and Shaker Dance – John P. Zdechlik
   • Chorale and Shaker Dance – John P. Zdechlik  

Radetzky March – Johann Strauss, adapted/arranged Alfred Reed
   • Radetzky March – Johann Strauss, adapted/a...  

Armenian Dances (Part I) – Alfred Reed
   • Armenian Dances (Part I) - Alfred Reed  

Hands Across the Sea – John Philip Sousa
   • Hands Across the Sea - John Philip Sousa