Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-03-07
MISCELLANY Y.
For the Bellows Falls Times.
Songs and Song -WriterS.---6.

lne tune, 10 WHICH Judge 1OpklnSon
adapted his words I" Hail Columbia" was
composed in 1889, by German, named
Fdytes, who was at that time, leader Of
the orchestra and composer as well as ar
ranger of music for the old theatre. in john
street, New York; the music was called
8. The Presidents March," and was first
performed on the occasion of President
Washington's first visit at that play house,
by invitation of the managers. MIR. Gusts
the ADOPTED son of Washington, was pres
ent on the occasion, at the theatre, where
he heard the march performed; and al
though then lad, in after years recollected
the music and the occasion when he first
heard it from him the important facts con-
corning the music and the author were OBJ
tanned. Thus we find that not only the
words, but the music was patriotic and pop
ular. After the words were written, the
march was known only as " Hail Columbia .
| Mr.. j. Wilson, music publisher, at No
62, Broadway, New York, very soon, how
ever, published the New Presidents
March" price one shilling; and this, in
time, came to be called by the more signif-
cant title of 9 Gen. Washington's March '
and is known by the latter name at this day.
OF Faytes, author of the music 8 Hail
Columbia" we find no mention other than
tha, he was connected with the theatre.
July 5, 1858, IS Hail Columbia was per-
formed on Boston Common, by united bands
10 the number of eighty instruments, and
six field pieces. B. A. Burditt, was the
arranger and conductor Of the music and
the guns used were those of the Light Ar
tillery, Capt. Minis. Mr. Burditt, in a let
ter published in g Dwight's journal of Mu-
Sic relating hoao it was done, says: The
result shows with what unerring prescision
the art of firing salute is brought by prac-
tice. The guns were discharged at the in
stant marked by the conductors baton, dis
pelling all doubts held by eminent military
men as to the result; triumph in which,
it is believed, that for the first time bat
terry, or park of artillery, kept perfect time
with the music of the band"
Those who were present, will recollect
that the thing was very well dones and if
musical persons, they will also remember
that the gunner pulled trigger at the beat
of the bar; and as the gun hangs fire for
an instant, this brought the report apprecia-
bly, after the true emphasis of the note.
Any gunner attempting musical firing, needs
critically accurate musical ear to appreci-
ate the precise value of the dPpogiatare-
grace note, the time of which must be
taken from the preceding note and not from
that 10 which it is attached. The pull of
the trigger should be the appogiature; this
would bring the report upon the emphasis,
with careful attention. The performance,
however, as it was, elicited rapturous ap-
plause, and an almost universal encore from
the multitude of listeners. The novel ex-
pertinent, so wrought on the Imagination of
the Turkish Ambassador, or admiral, who
was visiting Boston at the time, that he
commissioned Mr.. Burdiit to arrange the ma
tional air for the band of the Sultan. He
thought this kind of music admirably adapt
ed to give speaking emphasis TO the jubilant
demonstrations of any national holiday
Mr.. Burditt, and Dwight's Journal are
mistaken in supposing that The use of can
non with music is Re,c thing. The artil-
cry have many times before, been called to
aid the effect of music Giuseppa Sarti,
having been invited to ST. Petersburg by
the Empress Catharine H.. composed for
the celebration of the capture of 0czakow,
a 7e De,am, with oblgato thunder of can
mons, which had been placed in the court
yard, and which were fired off in correct
time, according 10 the directions Of the COM
poser and leader Of the band in attendance.
This performance must have been about
the year l77e or 1880.