Civil War Music

[mmichaelson]

So Nicole is about to play the Ashokan Farewell. Is there any other music of the Civil War era? I bought the Cold Mountain soundtrack, and adore this track as well.
Does anyone have any recommedations?

[The Great Carouser]

I wonder if there's a soundtrack recording of Burn's The Civil War ?

There is:

Civil War soundtrack

<small>[ 05-27-2004, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: The Great Carouser ]</small>

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

I have it. It's quite good but the selections are mostly very short. Ashokan Farewell is in there twice, once as background for a scene and later a longer reprise for a different scene.

I still find it very nice working music.

[mmichaelson]

Thanks guys, at least I have one more thing I can buy.
You should give the Cold Mountain Sdtrk a try. It's got good music on it as well!

[shostakovich]

Question: Is Ashokan Farewell actual Civil War music, or late 20th C imitation? I've heard some Civil War music, mostly songs. I remember Charles Root as one of the "composers". I wonder what the vintage of The Battle Hymn of the Republic is.

Just checked it. Julia Ward Howe wrote the words in 1861 to the tune of John Brown's Body.
Shos

PS: I just looked up Charles Root. NOT the song writer. I think that was the name of the Cubs (?) pitcher who Babe Ruth hit the "pointed" homer off. The song writer was George Frederick Root (1820-95). He wrote The Battle Cry of Freedom (1862).

[OperaTenor]

Wasn't Stephen Foster a Civil War era composer, too?

[dai bread]

There were lots of songs relating to the U.S.
Civil War. Some of them even percolated out here. Examples: "Marching Through
Georgia", "Eating Goober Peas", something about a campfire by the Potomac, I think; "Dixie", though that may pre-date the war. Somebody narrating a radio program I heard on the subject refered to that war as "the singingest war there ever was", so I guess I've left out lots.

[The Great Carouser]

Originally posted by shostakovich:
I just looked up Charles Root. NOT the song writer. I think that was the name of the Cubs (?) pitcher who Babe Ruth hit the "pointed" homer off.

He was indeed. So much for my idea of using him for June's 'mo bio!

[The Great Carouser]

Originally posted by shostakovich:
Question: Is Ashokan Farewell actual Civil War music, or late 20th C imitation?

This is from the composer of 'Ashokan Farewell' on his website:

"Film maker Ken Burns heard the album in 1984 and was very moved by this piece. He used a version played by Matt Glaser in the film, "Huey Long", and planned to use Ashokan Farewell as the theme for The Civil War. The original recording by Fiddle Fever is heard at the beginning of the series. This and other versions are used 25 times throughout the series including behind the reading of Sullivan Ballou's letter to his wife, for a surprising total of 59 minutes and 33 seconds of the 11 hour series. The members of Fiddle Fever (plus pianist Jacqueline Schwab, Jesse Carr and others) play much of the 19th century music heard throughout the soundtrack. Ashokan Farewell is the only contemporary tune that was used."

[shostakovich]

You're a fount of information, GC. Thanks

quote:
Originally posted by shostakovich:

I just looked up Charles Root. NOT the song writer. I think that was the name of the Cubs (?) pitcher who Babe Ruth hit the "pointed" homer off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He was indeed. So much for my idea of using him for June's 'mo bio!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aw, shucks. Not to worry, though. I still wouldn't have gotten it :Charles, George, or Babe himself.
Shos

[barfle]

Babe Root? Shuah!

[linguinut]

I was at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI, yesterday and heard a wonderful performance from a fife and drum corps. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the corps. It played several tunes from the Civil War era. They were a joy to hear...and as one cavalry officer said, "Their music makes me want to follow them into battle." I felt the same way.

Search for some fife and drum music and you may find more authentic music from that era, even back through the revolutionary war.

[linguinut]

It was the Camp Chase Drum & Fife Corps.

http://www.hfmgv.org/village/events/cwr/default.asp