Venue(s):
Central Park Mall
Manager / Director:
Harvey Bradley Dodworth
Price: Free
Event Type:
Band
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
2 November 2011
“'What a release.' 'What a change.' 'Out of all the noise and racket.' These and many similar remarks were made on the afternoon of the Fourth by the visitors to the Park. Not a report of a gun to be heard except its noise had become decreased and moderated by distance. Everything was peaceful and quiet, the sounds reaching the ear being principally those of the birds or the strains of the Park band. Dodworth, the presiding genius of the
The selection of pieces performed were in accordance with the day. In the first part was 'Viva l'Amerique;' in the second 'The Flag of the Free,' and the 'Volunteers Welcome Home March.' This last composition is certainly a very fine piece of music. In the third part was performed for the first time a new National Anthem in the peculiar metre of three lines of 6s and one of 4s repeated. The piece would, however, never be a popular one among the American people, as it has too much of the European Continental solemnity, and too little of the martial character in its composition. Dodworth’s ‘Bunch of Melodies’ was deservedly well received. In it are several curious effects. The change from the lively waltz to ‘Old Hundred’ was particularly striking, and the echo parts were finely executed. It will deserve a repetition before the season is over.
Those who spent the afternoon in the Park doubtless did not regret it.”