MS2001

Marches and Favorite Airs of the Brigade of the American Revolution (COMPACT DISC)

$18.00

A compact disc with a selection of over 45 18th Century British and American marches and favorite airs including a variety of British regimental quicksteps, most of which have never been recorded before. Many of the tunes are played twice enabling the listener to gain the full feeling for the music. All music was painstakingly researched and edited from primary sources and is available in the Brigade's music books.

All fife melodies are from primary sources prior to 1790. A number of harmonies have been selected from slightly later sources, primarily Carr (1796) and Cushing (1805). The drum parts are based on late 18th and early 19th century drum manuals, using rudiments known to have been used in the late 18th century.

British and American armies of the late 18th century marched at two different cadences, the common step and the quick step. The common step was marched at between 60 (British) and 75 (American) paces per minute, while the quick step was 120. Scotch Grey's March and the Duke's March are played at both common and quick tempos so that the listener can distinguish the different cadences. Common marches do not necessarily sound slow; they are essentially played in cut time with the soldiers marching two steps per measure. My Dog and Gun, Duke of York's Troop, Belisle March, Heart of Oak and Captain Money's March are included as typical common marches and have been recorded at a tempo of 60 to 75 paces per minute. Quick marches are recorded at a tempo of about 105.

The American Revolution was essentially a civil war. Americans had the same cultural heritage as their British adversaries. Therefore, the same musical tunes could be heard in both British and American camps. However, a unique aspect of this recording is the inclusion of some distinctly American and British pieces. My Dog & Gun, French Quick March, and Stony Point, were transcribed by Connecticut Fife Major Nathaniel Brown, and do not appear in contemporary British sources. In addition, several British regimental quicksteps, unknown in American manuscripts, are featured.

Marches and Favorite Airs of the Brigade of the American Revolution brings to life this spirited martial music as it was heard over two hundred years ago. We hope you enjoy it.