Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > August 2005 > 2005.08.12 > 05Prev  Next


"Entry of the Gladiators" & "Thunder and Blazes"
By Roger Wiegand

The popular circus tune by Julius Fucik goes by two different names,
"Entry of the Gladiators" or "Thunder and Blazes".  The story I've
heard forever from various generally believable band conductors is 
that when taken at a stately "British March" tempo (circa MM=120) it's
titled "Entry of the Gladiators", and when taken at "Circus Tempo"
(Presto, MM=160+) it's "Thunder and Blazes".

I'm curious if this convention is followed in mechanical music.  All
of the recorded fairground organ versions I have are titled "Entry of
the Gladiators" (well, a couple have been altered to "Entrance..."),
and they are played at the slower tempo.  Does anyone know of a roll
or book where the "Thunder and Blazes" title is used as the primary?
If so, is the tempo Presto? Is the band music convention an urban myth?

Cheers,
Roger Wiegand
Wayland, Massachusetts, USA


(Message sent Fri 12 Aug 2005, 20:04:13 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Blazes, Entry, Gladiators, Thunder

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page