Grand festival march, for the opening of the Centennial [...] arranged for piano by Theodore Thomas.

Cincinnati: John Church & Co.. c. 1876. Grand festival march, for the opening of the Centennial, commemorative of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America ; composed; and dedicated to the Women's Centennial Committees, by Richard Wagner ; arranged for piano by Theodore Thomas. Original sheet music to the piano reduction of Wagner's march composed to commemorate the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence (also known as the Grosser Festmarsch.) Facsimile dedication from Wagner printed on the front wrapper; internally a facsimile of a statement by Elizabeth Gillespie, the commissioner of the work. 19 pp. Ownership stamp and signature to the front wrapper; one large tear to the front wrapper, with toning and light edge wear; spine repaired with thread. Overall very good. 11 x 14 inches.

Commissioned by Elizabeth Gillespie of Philadelphia under the name of the "Women's Centennial Committees," the march was performed at the opening of the Philadelphia Exhibition. As an foreword to the piece, Wagner had printed the quotation from Goethe's Faust: "Only he earns the right to freedom and to life, who daily is impelled to conquer them." Although Wagner was paid a very generous $5,000 for the work, it is generally considered one of his less inspired compositions, and is rarely performed today. (15864)

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Printed Music

Classical Music

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