PARADE OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS

Music and text: Leon Jessel
Arrangement: Morton Gould

This sprightly march was originally written as a solo piano piece in 1897 by the German composer Leon Jessel, though it was then titled “Parade of the Tin Soldiers.” In 1905, Jessel orchestrated the work, and it became a popular favorite worldwide. Sousa’s band played it, and with a name change to “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” it was subsequently used in vaudeville routines, Broadway shows, films, and cartoons, and was published in many different arrangements.

Since 1933, the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes have marched to this tune in their Christmas Spectacular. The renowned American composer and pops orchestrator Morton Gould worked as staff pianist at Radio City Music Hall at that time, and later made his own colorful orchestral arrangement, heard in this concert. With that Christmas connection, and the charming fantasy-like quality of the music, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” has become a beloved children’s Christmas tradition.