After yesterday's National Anthem post, I started listening to some music and coincidentally, iTunes shuffled up Gottschalk's 'The Union' Concert Paraphrase On National Airs. It's like a piano concerto version of the Star Spangled Banner coupled with some militaristic flourishes and Yankee Doodle Dandy quotes. Although of historical interest, it's not really recommended for inspiring patriotism in 21st-century ears...
"Blue" Gene Tyranny describes via NewMusicBox:
A real virtuosic show-stopper, Gottschalk's "L'Union: Paraphrase de Concert on National Airs," Op. 48 (1862) is this southern-born musician's declaration of loyalty to the Union: a tumultuous introduction—with grand minor to major chords and fiery (strepitoso: clamourous, resounding) descending octaves alternating with a pedal point...
