The Gallant Seventh (1922)
Last updated: 18.07.18
| Composer: | J.P. Sousa | Suppliers: |  |
| Editor: | Geoff Grainger | Quintet | T/T/T/B/GB(B) |
| Publisher: | Ditty Box Enterprises | Publication: | DBE 1326 |
| Audio |   |
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Length: approx. 3¾ mins.
Sousa as a Lt.-Cdr. U.S.N.R.F., dedicated The Gallant Seventh to the Officers and Men of the Seventh Regiment, N.G.N.Y. (National Guard New York). The handsome front cover of the original sheet music shows two gallant officers, Lt. F. W. Sutherland of the Regimental Band and Col. Hayes flanked by infantrymen in splendid historical uniforms. The regiment which has a long history under a variety of names was created in New York city during the conflict between British at American vessels off Sandy Hook in April, 1806 whereby Captain Philip Broke in HMS Shannon captured the 16-gun American brig Nautilus. The regiment took part in many 19th political disturbances, the Civil War and both World Wars.
As to the march itself it is a splendid rousing martial affair with some nice touches. Its form is AABBCCDCDC with an 8-bar introduction and an amusing 16-bar "Trumpet & Drum Corps" interlude between the initial C-strains. In this adaptation for recorder sextet the 1st tenor is involved from start. The basses have their say in the 16-bar interlude and the D-strain. A fine ensemble piece of which the editor whimsically wonders whether the recorder performers might be persuaded to play it on the march with bass recorders both sloped and reversed!
The Gallant Seventh was published by Sam Fox Pub. Co., Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
A tempo of 200 crotchets/min. is suggested.