L'Union

The Union is a piano composition by American-born composer/pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk from 1862 that represents an early American patriotic warhorse. His mixture of three nationalistic songs from the Civil War era creates a brilliant showpiece for the piano that adapts magnificently as a concert band attraction for public performances such as the 4th of July. It is given a 'Medium-Advanced' (grade 4) rating due to the upper woodwind technique required, the prominent use of the French horn section, and the low brass dexterity in the 16th-note triplet groupings. (NOTES: 11x17 score, 8.5x11 parts)