The Belle of Chicago March - John Philip Sousa (1892) Piano Solo

The Belle of Chicago March by John Philip Sousa, composed in 1892.
Today's video is a piano solo arrangement (by an unknown arranger) of a Sousa march that apparently received some criticism in it's time. One quote from a reporter at the time read: “Mr. Sousa evidently regards the Chicago belle as a powerful creature, with the swinging stride of a giant, a voice like a foghorn, and feet like sugar-cured hams.” (From Paul E. Bierley's 1984 "The Works of John Philip Sousa.") The piano solo version isn't much better with some robust LH octaves in the final strain, but is still quite a nice march if you ignore how 'un-dainty' it is 😄

This piece was commissioned by John McDonnell who has a website dedicated to Sousa and other composers of the period: https://www.angelfire.com/ks/landzast... Enjoy!

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