Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 6, No. 6 (1932-03)

An independent journal of phonography and other arts of sound ^reproduction Phonograph N^onthly Review AXEL B. JOHNSON, Managing Editor ADOLPH A. BIEWEND, Associate Editor The Phonograph Publishing Co., Inc., 69 Marion St., Medford, Mass. Tel. Mystic 0882 Eastern Representative A. J. FRANCK, P.O. Box 171, Richmond Hill, Long Island, N. Y. THE PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY REVIEW appears on the 10th of each month. All material is fully protected, but may be reproduced under a credit line. Yearly subscription price $3.00 in the United States and $4.00 in Canada and other foreign countries, postage prepaid. Single copies 25 cents. All communications should be addressed to the Managing Editor, 69 Marion St., Medford, Mass. All unsolicited contribution* must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. All checks and money orders should be made out to THB PHONOGRAPH PUBLISHING CO., Inc. In HHmortam E record with deep regret the passing of Lieutenant Commander John Philip Sousa, who died in Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 6th. Mr. Sousa’s death ended a period of not less than forty-two years of extraordinary service as Bandmaster and Composer. John Philip Sousa was born in Washington, D.C., November 6, 1854. His father was Portuguese and his mother Bavarian. He studied with John Esputa from 1864-67, taking mostly violin, but also band instruments, and from 1867, while playing in the U. S. Marine Band and in civilian orchestras took up theory and composition with G. F. Benkert. After being conductor of the U. S. Marine Band from 1880 to 1892, he formed the Sousa Band, giving the first concert at Plainfield, N. J., on Sept. 26th, 1892. With this he has made annual tours through the United States and Canada, besides four tours in Europe and one around the world. The Band has played at almost^ all the great Expositions besides long engagements at various places. Its leader acquired the soubriquet of "March King” in 1885 from a foreign journal. His compositions make a long list, including 10 comic operas, 8 suites, the scenic "Sheri- dan’s Ride”, and the symphonic "Chariot Race”, almost 100 marches, about 20 dances, about 50 songs and several arrangements. Among his best known marches can be named first of all "Stars and Stripes Forever” which when played by Sousa and his band never has failed to thrill an audience. However, music critics differ when asked to select the finest of Sousa’s many marches. Other famous marches are: "Manhattan Beach”, Liberty Bell”, "Washington Post”, "High School Cadets”, "El Capitan”, "Semper Fidelis”, "King Cotton”, "Hail to the Spirit of Liberty”, "The Fairest of the Fair”, "Sabre and Spurs”, "Golden Jubilee,” "Solid Men to the Front”, "Riders of the Flag”, "Field Artillery”, "The Pride of the Wolverines”, "The Volunteers” and many others too numerous to mention. His individual style of conducting and program-making combined with the inimitable presentation of his own marches brought him the instantaneous success he enjoyed even at his very last concert. During the Spanish American War he served in the Sixth Army Corps of the United States Army. Upon the entrance of the United States in the World War, Mr. Sousa offered his services to the Navy and was placed in charge of over a thousand young men in the Bands of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. On the annual tours with the Band, Mr. Sousa was feted in almost every city by the different patriotic, civic and fraternal organizations in a manner befitting his position as one of America’s foremost citizens. Excellent recordings are available of nearly all of the popular marches, particular fine are those made by Sousa’s Band for Victor. I was among those who counted it a deep pleasure to know him personally, and his death comes with a keen sense of personal loss. I have no doubt but that many of the readers of this magazine were acquainted either directly or indirectly with Mr. Sousa’s genial and friendly personality, and I know that they will join me in expressing to his widow and children the regret we feel over theirs and our loss.