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Unit HomeAudio ResourcesThe Complete Marches of John Philip SousaAcross the Danube March

Across the Danube March
Across the Danube March from The Complete Marches of John Philip Sousa: Vol. 1

 

“Across the Danube” (1877)

 

The Danube River was one of the borders of the Ottoman Empire, which was regularly at war with czarist Russia. In their fourth extended war, the Russians gained one decisive victory by crossing the Danube in June and July, 1877. Sousa credits the inspiration for “Across the Danube” to one such victory of Christendom over the Turks, and it was probably the news of this particular battle which caught his fancy.

Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984), 39. Used by permission.