17 The Stars and Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa

March: The Stars and Stripes Forever .............................................................. John Philip Sousa
Without a doubt, had Sousa composed no other piece of music, The Stars and Stripes Forever would have guaranteed his fame. It is the finest example of the march form in existence, with its sweeping melodies, stirring counter melodies, elegant form, memorable introduction, and dynamic, irrepressible rhythms. When coupled with the emotion-laden flag-waiving patriotism of Sousa and his band, every performance is as described by the Philadelphia Public Ledger in 1867 following the premiere: “It is stirring enough to arouse the American eagle from his crag, and set him to shriek exultantly while he hurls his arrows at the aurora borealis!”