Description
Its title means a fighter of the Roman arena, and The Gladiator, published in 1886 while Sousa was still leading the Marine Band, is one of the early marches that spread his name, coming about a decade before signature works such as The Stars and Stripes Forever.
It opens with a valiant theme built on dotted rhythms, and the scheme Sousa would keep for years afterwards - introduction, contrasting strains, a trio in a new key - is already fully formed in this early work. In F major and cut time (2/2), it lasts about 3 minutes 14 seconds and has 1,975 notes. It reaches down to D1, the lowest note of any Sousa march collected here.
For over three minutes this advanced march asks for the stamina to keep driving the dotted rhythms without the tempo sagging. If the dotted figures go soft the march loses its edge, so place each short note precisely. Slow the playback to check the rhythmic shapes, and where the bass leaps are large, follow the left hand's movement with the hand colours.
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About the Composer
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was an American composer and bandleader known as 'The March King.' He composed numerous marches, including 'The Stars and Stripes Forever,' and played a major role in developing the American concert band tradition. This site includes ten of his works, such as 'The Liberty Bell March.'
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