Track List

Imperial Echoes (1913) A. Safroni

The Liberators (1916) C.W. Ancliffe

Action Front (1912) H.L. Blankenburg

Under The Double Eagle (1897) J.F. Wagner

Wellington (1906) W. Zehle

Blaze Away (1901) A. Holzmann

The Children of the Regiment (1905) J.E.W. Fucik

The Britisher (1935) T.A. Chandler

Marche Lorraine (1887) G.L. Ganne

Skywatch (1975) R.E.C. Davies

Trafalgar (1908)W. Zehle

The Royal British Legion (1922) T. Bidgood

National Emblem (1906) E.E. Bagley

The New Colonial (1895) R.B.Hall

The Thunderer (1889) J.P. Sousa

Old Comrades (1889) C A.H. Teike

Arromanches (1948) A.E.Kelly

Out of the Blue (1931) H.Bath

Glorious Victory (1947) W.M. Kendall

Royal Air Force March Past (1918) Davies/Dyson

Programme Notes

This CD contains a selection of some of the finest marches ever written, all of which are still regu­larly performed at ceremonial occasions or on the concert platform. And this despite their age: the earliest was written as far back as 1887, with the majority composed before 1920. Why is it then that their appeal persists? Certainly the confidence and optimism that they exude, as well as the unselfconscious manner in which the composers approach the style has something to do with their attraction. And perhaps old is still best because the winning march formula of combining uncomplicated melodies and countermelodies in a simple form had reached a satisfying completeness by the early 20th Century. As a consequence, composing in this genre became increasingly more difficult to do without sounding contrived. Whatever it is, however, you will find that all of these marches have their own individual charm and character, and we wish you an enjoyable listen.

Front Cover: 'Cloud Witness' Hawker Demon 64 Sqn by kind permission of the artist, Anthony R.G. Cowland, whose work can be viewed at http://www.argc-art.com/.

Engineering, editing, mixing and mastering by Gareth Williams.
Produced by Squadron Leader GordonBain, co-produced by Warrant Officer Richard Skelton .
Recorded at Royal Air Force Uxbridge on 22nd and 23rd of November 2007.
Layout and Design by Flight Sergeant Grant Charleston.
Sleeve Notes by Squadron Leader GordonBain.

© 2008 Royal Air Force Music ® 2008 Royal Air Force Music.