Hewitt, James, 1770-1827

Originally composed 1797 as a potpourri overture, quoting popular melodies of the period. This transcription commissioned by the Richmond Sinfonia. Transcribed 1975. First performance St. John's United Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia, 15 December 1975, Richmond Sinfonia, Jacques Houtmann conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

Originally composed for piano and privately published in 1797. This orchestration, 1950-51, first performed in Washington, D.C., National Gallery of Art, 22 April 1951, National Gallery Orchestra, Richard Bales conductor. Hewitt's dedication is to George Washington. This orchestration was later added to Bales' The Republic, as the opening movement, Sinfonia.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

Hewitt's song, with text by William Milns, is actually an arrangement for voice and keyboard instrument of Yankee Doodle, and an anonymous Washington's March. First published by J. Hewitt's Musical Repository, New York, 1798. This version commissioned by the Richmond Sinfonia. Transcribed 1975. First performance St. John's United Church of Christ, Richmond, Virginia, 15 December 1975, Richmond Sinfonia, Jacques Houtmann conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.