JOHN PHILIP SOUSA

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 6, 9 August 1911, Page 16

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA

“THE MARCH KING.”

How He Wrote “The Washington Post.”

IN a brief article printed quite recently in a Lon lon newspaper, John Philip Sou-a, the ‘ March King,” who, together with his famous band, is now appearing in New Zealand, gives the following interesting account of how he wrote the popular march, the “ Washington Post”: — “Altogether 1 have some 200 compositions to my credit, and it is now more years than I care to remember since 1 took my first composition to a publisher’s I paid 25 dollars fur its publication, but it was a bad investment, for nobody took the slightest interest in Sousa’s initial effort. 1 had another try, and this time took two compositions to a publishing firin in Philadelphia, who said they were willing to us e them and pay for them. * How much?’ I asked, breathlessly. They would give me a hundred copies of each piece. Considering that the journey had cost me some 15 dollars, it did not seem that I should make a fortune very rapidly at this rate. Nevertheless, 1 accepted, but I do not remember hearing that the publishers became millionaires after publishing my two pieces. Sousa s First Success. “And then came the ‘Washington Post ’ march, which brought me exactly 42 5 in cash, and a small fortune in reputation. This march is not, as is generally supposed, named after a mail coach plying to and from Washington. it is named after one of the leading newspapers in the United States capital whose proprietors, many years ago, promoted a competition amongst school children for the best essay, which caught on sueh an extent that the National Museum grounds at Washington were needed for the distribution of the prizes. I was there with the Marine Band, of which 1 was then conductor, and played for the first time in public a inarch specially composed for- the occasion, which, by common consent, was called after the enterprising newspaper, the * Washington Post.’ Although it attracted some attention, the publishers to whom 1 offered it told me that they could only assume the risk and financial expense of publishing the ‘ Washington Post.,’ provided I would assign my exclusive rights for £5. 1 knew the firm were enl vrpii Jug, and would push whatever they published, and I co :seated. But of course, I had no idea that ihe ‘Washington Post ’ would he (into so popular in every (pi art er of the globe. However, although it only hi Hi; me, as 1 say, £’•>, in tush, it brought me into such prominence that I w.»> quickly inundated with requests lor more marches. In St. Mark’s Square, Venice. “By the a iy. in common with others possessing commodities valuable enough to filch, I have been persiste itly pestered by music pirates, lienee the following little story: Sometime after the ‘Washington Post ’ had become widely popular, my wife and I were spending a holi<l a y in Italy. (hie day we were in St. Mark’s Square. Venue, when the municipal band appeared to give its daily concert. Naturally interested, I listened to the pci lormanee, and was much gratified when, liter playing several numbers, tire orchestra struck up the ‘Washington Post. While they were plaving, I noticed a miisi<* shop in the .square, which I entered, ami, with becoming gravity, asked the -hopleeper the name <»f I *c pie.-e the band was playing. ‘ That/ said the music seller, after listening fur a moment, ‘is the ‘Washington Post* march.* 1 then asked for a copy. After searching his shelves, the shopman found he had run out, but volunteered to supply one within au hour. (In returning alter that lapse of time, I was presented* with an Italian edition of the piece by Giovanni Filipo Sousa. Taking the copy, I went to the piano • nd played through the first few bars. ‘ \ ea, that’ll it/ 1 *aid to the shopkeeper. * But thia Giovanni Filipo Suuma, who is

he?’ Tile music vendor volubly explained that he was a celebrated Italian composer. ‘lndeed!’ I remarked, ‘and is he as famous as Verdi?’ ‘ Well, no, signor/ replied the Venetian; ‘but then he is only young yet.’ ‘ Have you ever seen him/ I inquired. ‘ Not that I remember/ was the reply. Surprising the Venetian.

“ ‘ Then, with your permission, 1 should like to present you to his wife, the Signora Giovanni Filipo Sousa.’ When the Italian had done bowing. Mrs. Sousa interposed. ‘Permit me to introduce my husband, Signor Giovanni Filipo

Sousa, from Waslrington, U.5.A.,, tttiq composer of the. " Washington Post.” ’ The Venetian was so overcome that he insisted retailing the pirated copy of the inarch at cost price, and the respeet with which he bowed us out of the shop would have done honour to an Emperor.”