[Sheet music] The Turkish patrol : Op. 83

Sheet music for the instrumental march titled 'The Turkish Patrol'. Music composed by Theodor Michaelis with this version arranged for piano by Diedrich Krug. The copyright statement on the front cover states that this is the only legal edition that can be sold in Great Britain and associated colonies and was published by Bosworth & Co, London. An alternative title of the piece is 'The Turkish Reveille'.

The cover of this copy is coloured a light pink with an elaborate design adorning the title. Inside the front cover is an advertisement that lists the contents of the Bosworth edition of popular and instructive pianoforte music. Also included are an advertising preview for 'Slumber Song: Entr'acte', written by W H Squire; and two pieces written by Francis G Byford titled 'Vision D'Amour: Reverie' and 'Tender Appeal'.

A note at the top of the first page of the printed music states 'This piece of music is intended to illustrate the approach, passing by, and gradual disappearance of a Turkish patrol.' It appears that this was first written as an orchestral version by the composer with several piano arrangements written by others afterwards. 19 editions of this piece of music were published between 1879 and 1947.

This copy of the music originally belonged to Private Ernest Alfred Nicholls, and features his name at the top of the front cover. It is part of a collection of sheet music that was donated to the Memorial in 1971, and is symbolic of the concerts, theatre and other musical performances that Australian soldiers took in whilst on leave in London during the First World War.

Born as Gustav Theodor Michaelis, Michaelis was a German composer and writer about the history and theory of music. 'The Turkish Patrol' is one of most well-known compositions.

Towards the bottom of this page is a sound recording of this sheet music, or a parody, that was created as part of the Music and the First World War project. More information about this recording, including names of the performers, can be found on the catalogue record for the sound recording. A link to the catalogue record for the sound recording can be found at the bottom of this page, under the heading ‘Related objects’ where it can be identified with the prefix [sound recording].