Posted by Steve Dedman on July 12, 2001 at 22:12:34:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Band Composers, a Survey posted by Ron on July 12, 2001 at 00:04:34:
While agree with you that great music is still being written today, I find your stance re: Sousa unfortunate and myopic. Yes, Sousa wrote many, many marches. But he also wrote operettas and waltzes for both band and orchestra, and (gasp!) songs for singers. And yes, the marches all have boring old oompah tuba parts. But they also have some very challenging spots in each one; almost as if saying "OK tubas, you've been doing a great job holding the tempo, treat yourself to a little fun passage." In addition, each march has wonderful little melodies. That's the true measure of Sousa's genius; that he could turn out so many similar, yet unique pieces of music. It takes a lot of talent and imagination to compose any piece of music. How much more so when you self-impose the limitations of a march style? He wrote a LOT of good music within a very defined set of rules. THAT takes immense talent and imagination. The other stuff he wrote was probably a welcome creative outlet. I have played one of his waltzes, and it didn't sound Sousa-ish in the least. So don't limit your views of a very talented and important early 20th century composer to a handful of overplayed marches.
Steve