Chimes of Liberty


"Chimes of Liberty" is a military march by Edwin [Franko Goldman]. It vies with "On the Mall" as Goldman's greatest hit.
Many think "Chimes of Liberty" is a re-working of "The [Liberty Bell (march)|The Liberty Bell]" by John Philip Sousa; however, although the influence of Sousa on Goldman is unquestionable, the two marches are totally different, being written by different composers, each with a different tone. Nonetheless Goldman's "Chimes of Liberty" does use chimes. It follows the regular march pattern: IAABBCDCDC. This march was written prior to 1922, when Goldman recorded it for the Victor [Talking Machine Company], but he revised it at least once before publishing the 1937 edition now largely in use.

Reception

At a concert at Columbia University on June 12, 1922, Goldman agreed to perform his new march, "Chimes of Liberty", as an encore by special request. According to Musical Courier, it "proved to be a composition of a stirring nature. Its presentation was so enthusiastically applauded that the composer-conductor found it necessary to repeat it."