by Evan Spencer
The Texian Grand March
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The Texian Grand March for the Piano Forte is featured in Special Collections' Fall 2022 exhibit, "The Shifting Shapes of Early Texas", on view until January 15, 2023.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AUDIO OF THE TEXIAN GRAND MARCH
Texian Grand March for the Piano Forte, Respectfully Dedicated to Genl. Houston.
Anthony Fleetwood (artist) and Edwin Meyrick (composer). Lithograph on paper, 32.5 x 25.5 cm. by Fleetwood's Lithography (New York: Firth & Hall, 1836).
The Texans won their independence from Mexico by their overwhelming victory over Santa Anna's army at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Houston officially reported 630 Mexicans killed and 730 taken prisoner with the loss of only 9 Texans dead and 30 wounded, including Houston himself who was shot in the ankle. Santa Anna, at first reported missing, was captured the day after the battle, dressed as a private.
Soon Texas and Sam Houston's fame spread far and wide through popular press coverage in the United States and elsewhere. This sheet music march piece for piano with its lithographed cover illustration typifies the way much popular music spread at the time. It appeared in three separate editions. This version bears the monogram of lithographer Anthony Fleetwood and carries the copyright date of 1835 suggesting that the music may have been prepared for production before a dedication was ready and the image completed. Composers and publishers of commercial music at the time often added illustrations and associated their productions with important events in hopes of profiting from popular enthusiasm and sentiment. The New York artist must have imagined the scene from early press reports with only a few visually relevant details about this widely celebrated event. Composer Edwin Meyrick's march later served as music for Houston's various political campaigns.
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