A New Birth of Freedom

This narrative setting of Lincoln’s immortal “Gettysburg Address” was commissioned by the United States “President’s Own” Marine Band in early 2009. As beautiful as the speech is on paper, the best way to appreciate Lincoln’s musical instinct for timbre, phrasing, and rhythmic patterns is through recitation—and American composer Randol Alan Bass has created a unique musical opportunity for us to do that. (4:05)