The Rough Rider:
Life and times of Theodore Roosevelt
Posted by: Charles Booker on July 29, 2006
When commissioned to write a piece for this album, Charles Booker decided
to explore the life of one of his personal heroes, Theodore Roosevelt. The result is
the tone poem, The Rough Rider: The life and Times of Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt
earned his nichname leading a volunteer ca;vary regiment of western cowboys in the
Spanish-American War. Roosevelt also served as a New York State Assemblyman,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governore of New York, Vice President of the United
States. Following the assination of President William McKinley, Roosevelt became
the 26th President of the United States.
Booker discovered as he studied Roosevelt's the "call to glory"
that "compelled him to rise above difficult circumstances and succeed". Roosevelt
overcame childhood asthma, the tragic deaths of his infant child, wife and mother
in the space of just three days, the Battle of San Juan Hill and numerous political
struggles. Whether as a politician, western rancher, or military leader, Roosevelt
followed this call all through his life.
Throughout the piece bugle calls are used to signify that "call
to glory" along with a short four note motive "reminding Roosevelt and all of us,
that life is short, so hurry, make your place in history."
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