PLAY CLOSE

Composer:	J. Lenzberg	Suppliers:
Editor:	Geoff Grainger	Sextet	D/A/T/T/B/GB(B)
Publisher:	Ditty Box Enterprises	Publication:	DBE632

Length: approx. 2¾ mins.
Gallant Commodore is a bright, cheerful march with a humorous 8-bar introduction to whit a "jazzed-up" Yankee Doodle strain. To liven things up and perhaps to provide a little martial spirit, the composer scores the final note of the introduction in the great bass voice with a succinct "cannon", an instrument not generally found in recorder ensembles or indeed in any other chamber ensemble.
Lenzberg dedicated this march to "The Hero of the Battle of Manilla [sic], Commodore George Dewey" no doubt cashing-in on the then prevailing patriotic fervour with regard to the America-Spanish War of 1898. George Dewey (1837-1917), later Admiral, was born in Montpelier, Vermont. He graduated from the naval academy and served with Admiral Farragut during the American Civil War (1861-5). In command of the US Asiatic Squadron on his flagship USS Olympia, he was in Hong Kong when war was declared with Spain. He sailed immediately to Manila Bay in the Philippines where he destroyed the futile Spanish Fleet he found there after giving the famous order, "You may fire when ready, Gridley". The front cover of the original sheet music depicts a splendid reproduction of the USS Olympia, a 19-knot, 6000 ton cruiser completed in 1892, as well as an inset of the good Commodore himself. All of which combined with this very jolly melodious march delights the cockles of this naval-buff author's heart! A tempo of 160 crotchets/min. is suggested.
Gallant Commodore was published by Geo. Willig & Co., Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

This recorder adaptation is respectfully dedicated to all officers and men who have served on USS Olympia, SSN 717, a Los Angeles Class Attack Submarine.