Reviews
It was imaginative of John Wallace to include in this Sousa collection not only less familiar marches such as Jack Tar (Sousa's tribute to the British Navy), but more particularly some of Sousa's music in other rhythms. Undoubtedly striking are the descriptive Chariot Race, inspired by the success of the novel Ben Hur, and the immediately appealing Under the Cuban Flag, in which Sousa skilfully weaves Cuban national themes. It is good, also, to hear a selection from Sousa's most successful operetta, El Capitan, as well as the familiar march from the same source.
These performances incorporate all the effects that Sousa put into his marches, such as bells, whistles and the clash of drumsticks, and the digital sound and technically fine playing provide the disc with undoubted attractions for anyone wishing to sample, something of Sousa beyond the marches.
A.M.L., Gramophone.net