Children's March: Over the Hills and Far Away was written by Percy Grainger as his first original work for band.[1]
It was originally written between 1916 and 1918 as a piano showpiece for World War I relief efforts.[2] However, after enlisting as a bandsman in the United States Army, he quickly orchestrated it for the 15th Coast Artillery Band stationed at Fort Hamilton. However, Grainger was discharged in January 1919 before he had a chance to play the piece with the band. The premiere of the piece occurred 6 June 1919 at Columbia University with the Goldman Band, Ralph Leopold on the piano, and Grainger conducting.[3] An arrangement by Grainger for two pianos was later published in 1920 after a performance by Leopold and Grainger for the Red Cross on 2 December 1919.[4]
The title is a reference to Over the Hills and Far AwaybyFrederick Delius, who was a close friend of Grainger.[5]
^All Music Guide to Classical Music: The Definitive Guide to Classical Music. Chris Woodstra, Gerald Brennan, Allen Schrott. Backbeat Books. 2005. p. 522. ISBN0-87930-865-6. OCLC61295944.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
