Many think "Chimes of Liberty" is a re-working of the
Liberty Bell (march) by
John Philip Sousa; however, although the influence of Sousa on Goldman is unquestionable, the two marches are totally different, being written by different composers, each with a different tone. Nonetheless (like Sousa's "Liberty Bell") Goldman's "Chimes of Liberty" does use chimes. It follows the regular march pattern: IAABBCDCDC. This march was written prior to 1922, when Goldman recorded it for the Victor Talking Machine Company, but he revised it at least once before publishing the 1937 edition now largely in use.
"Chimes of Liberty" is considered one of the most lively and tuneful marches ever written, and possibly America's greatest march not by Sousa after "
National Emblem" by
Edwin Eugene Bagley. It doesn't sound right without the chimes, but the piccolo is equally important. The piccolo solo is more distinctive than the piccolo part of any other march with exception of "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by Sousa.
