Marching to the canon: the life of Schubert's Marche militaire

Abstract

Marching to the Canon examines the history of Schubert's Marche militaire no.1 from its beginnings as a modest piano duet published for domestic consumption in 1826 to its ubiquitous presence over a century later. Myriad performances by professionals and amateurs made it Schubert's most recognizable and beloved instrumental work. Its success was due to its chameleon-like ability to cross the still porous borders between canonic and popular repertories. This study of both its reception and impact offers a unique narrative that illuminates the world that enshrined its otherwise humble dimensions. After detailing the composition, publication, and reception of the original march, the book examines the impact of transcriptions and arrangements for solo piano, orchestra, band, and other settings. Contemporary to these versions was its symbolic manipulation during three conflicts involving France and Germany: the Franco-Prussian War and the two world wars. Multiple iterations created a performance life that made deep inroads into dance, literature, and film, and inspired quotations or allusions in other music. The work's creative uses are remarkably diverse, ranging from now obscure individuals to significant figures as varied as Willa Cather, Isadora Duncan, Walt Disney, and Igor Stravinsky. Scott Messing is Charles A. Dana Professor of Music at Alma College, and the author of Neoclassicism in Music and the two volume Schubert in the European Imagination.