Annotation:Charles XII March

Find traditional instrumental music

Back to Charles XII March


CHARLES XII MARCH. English (?), March (cut time). A Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). The title may refer to a march associated with Charles of Sweden (Charles XII), a skilled military commander, or it may refer more specifically to his 1707-1709 march of invasion of Peter the Great's Russia, which ultimately led to disaster for the Swedish.

Source for notated version: the late 18th century manuscript copybook of Henry Livingston, Jr. Henry Livingston purchased the estate of Locust Grove, Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1771 at the age of 23. In 1775 Livingston was a Major in the 3rd New York Regiment, which invaded Canada in Montgomery's failed attempt to wrest Québec from British control. An important land-owner in the Hudson Valley, and a member of the powerful Livingston family, Henry was also a surveyor and real estate speculator, an illustrator and map-maker, and a Justice of the Peace for Dutchess County. He was also a musician and presumably a dancer, as he was elected a Manager for the New York Assembly's dancing season of 1774-1775, along with his 3rd cousin, John Jay, later U.S. Chief Justice of Governor of New York.

Printed sources:

Recorded sources:




Back to Charles XII March