Product Description
This the last symphony to be completed by Joseph Dillon Ford and is written in memory of an ancestor of his by the name of John Fitch.
See below for the complete programme notes.
The pdf file contains the score (in Tabloid format) and parts (in letter format)
The sound sample is an electronic preview.
T H E T R A G E D Y O F J O H N F I T C H
A Biographical Symphony in Four Movements
i. "Convulsed Elements" (Allegro agitato)
"The night of the 21 of January 1743 old style . . . was the fatal time of bringing me into existance . . . all nature seemed to shrink at the convulsed elliments which . . . forebode the destiny of the innocent infant. . . .""My father married one Sarah Shaler from Bolton. . . . I . . . believe her death to be the greatest loss which I ever met with. . . ." (21).
ii. Friends & Enemies (Andantino)
Theme. "True hearted fellow"
"In my old wicar chair Ill set myself snug
Like a jolly and true hearted fellow."
Var. 1. Timothy King & Sarah Fitch King
"My oldest sister Sarah was married to one Timothy King, a poor industrious man of Windsor to which my father had great
objections. . . . These two persons was the greatest ornimant that ever adorned my fathers family. My sister was I think the most manly generous spirited woman I ever saw not only to me but also the others. And probably might take it in some measure from her husband as good wives indeavor to recommend themselves to their husbands by adopting their sentiments (3536).
Var. 2. Lucy Roberts Fitch
"Lucy Roberts came to pay a visit . . . . Whether she did it with a design of throwing herself in my way or not I do not know . . . I . . . finally married her after a short courtship. . . . had a son . . . and lived with her till the 18 January 1769 on which day I sat off [on] a journey from home and have never since found my way back" (4445)
Var. 3. War
"When Moses Alexander Caesar and Franklin have made themselves great by fomenting Wars Murder Rapine and Depopulating Countries, the more noble Washington has made himself greater than all without wadeing thro those seas of Blood. But men are but fallible creatures, and it is impious to worship any one as Deity. . . ."
Var. 4. Mary Krafft
"The most Noble Spirited Woman on earth Mrs. Krafft kept me . . . on charity. . . . (114)
iii. The American Dream Minuet: Foundering Fathers
"I . . . am sorry to live in a state that no sooner becomes a nation than it becomes depraved. The injurys I have received from my nation or rather from the first officers of government has induced me for a lesson of caution to future generations to record the treatment which which I have received." (207)"As for my partners, damn them all!They took me up to let me fall."
Trio: Hopes
"For full scope of seven years
Steam Boats excited hopes and fears In me, but now I see it plain All further progress is in vain."
iv. "A Dam Wicked World" (Allegretto)
"I think this is a dam wicked world and when I get clear of it never wish to come back. . . . I have been frequently apt to conclude it is a place where they transport souls . . . from other Planets that is not fit to live in them. . . . I am sure my lesson of caution will be sufficient to me make me more cautious when I get back to Jupiter. . . ." (128)
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