The Gladiator March

In its original edition, THE GLADIATOR MARCH by John Philip Sousa sold over one million copies. However, Sousa's actual performances, except for pitches and rhythms, often did not resemble the printed page. Strains would have altered instrumentation, dynamic changes, and occasional octave transpositions to color, change timbre and create textural contrasts within each performance. Robert Foster has researched those practices and edited the march to bring today's bands and ensembles all of the aural thrills intended in this great work. (duration 3:05)