"On the Mall" is a famous march composed by American bandmaster Edwin Franko Goldman (1878–1956). It vies with Goldman's "Chimes of Liberty" as his two most popular compositions. As indicated by Jack Kopstein, it (as of 2013) remains a featured march and continues to be performed and recorded by bands throughout America and around the world.[1]
Publication history
editThe score of "On the Mall" was first published in 1923 by Carl Fischer LLC. A version edited by Edward S. Lisk is frequently used. Goldman wrote a number of marches whose titles begin with words On the, with the first being "On the Green" in 1920.[2]
Meaning of title
editThe phrase "On the Mall" refers to the Mall in Central Park, New York City, where Goldman's Band frequently performed. Goldman composed "On the Mall" possibly as early as 1922, but published the march in 1923 to honor Elkan Naumburg, who funded the construction of the new Naumburg Bandshell. "On the Mall" premiered there on September 29, 1923, with Franz Kaltenborn as conductor and Naumburg in attendance.[3]
Singing, whistling, lyricizing
editIn a technique identified with Goldman, the trio (third strain) is predominantly sung by the band members and then repeated, after a breakstrain, with whistling. A great believer in public participation as Goldman toured with his band in countless venues, he encouraged audiences likewise in "On the Mall" to sing along and then whistle with the band.[4] Audience clapping in sync with the score is also common. The concluding strain of the march can be sung with lyrics written by Goldman's wife Adelaide Maibrunn Goldman.[5] To reinforce the physical setting and the title, renditions have been known to substitute the words On the Mall in lieu of some of the lyrics.
Notes
edit- ^ Kopstein, Jack (January 21, 2013). "World military bands: The heritage of military bands". Biography of Edwin Franko Goldman. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ^ "Mabel Rosenthal Collection on Edwin Franko Goldman". ArchivesUM. College Park, MD: University of Maryland Special Collections. 1980. pp. 10–142–ABA. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ^ "Music pavilion". Naumburg Orchestral Concerts. 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
- See Zajec, Victor William; Camus, Raoul F. (2012). "The Edwin Franko Goldman Memorial Citation" (PDF). New York: American Bandmasters Association. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- See also Keane, Frank (1933). "The Goldman Band on the Mall, Central Park". National Stolen Art File. Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ^ "On the mall concert march". JWPepper. 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2013.Item 2477466. Bands frequently camouflage the piccolo into the whistling to enhance its volume.
- ^ Goldman, Adelaide Maibrunn (1923). "'On the Mall' lyrics". Lyrics zoo. Chatham, New Jersey: River City Brass Band. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
External links
edit- Goldman, Edwin Franko; Goldman, Adelaide Maibrunn (2008). South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble (SJAWE) (ed.). "On the Mall". Side by Side Concert. Stockton University Performing Arts Center. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- Goldman, Edwin Franko (July 10, 2010). "On the Mall". Columbia Summer Winds Ensemble. Retrieved September 23, 2013. (performed at the Naumburg Bandshell)
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