High Flight - Poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr. - Music by Robert Thurston

High Flight - Poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr. - Music by Robert Thurston

Shortly before the United States entered World War II, a 19-year-old American
named John Gillespie Magee Jr. joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was
sent to serve as a pilot in England. He flew fighter sweeps over France and air defense over England against the German Luftwaffe.

It was during a high-altitude test flight of a Spitfire V that Magee - an accomplished poet - was inspired to write a sonnet celebrating the joy of flying and the wondrous thrill of seeing Creation from a whole new point of view.

Magee's life was tragically cut short in a midair collision during a training exercise in December 1941. His beautiful poem is his lasting legacy.

"High Flight" has inspired many musical settings. In creating this one for chorus and orchestra, I tried to describe that same grand, humbling, dizzying sense of joy and wonder Magee expressed so eloquently in verse.

This world-premiere performance is by the United States Air Force Orchestra and Singing Sergeants, conducted by Col. Dennis Layendecker, recorded live at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, on June 30, 2007. It was part of a program celebrating the 60-year anniversary of the Air Force.

Read more about Pilot Officer John G. Magee Jr. here:
http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006492

Category:

Music

Tags:

• High Flight
• John Gillespie Magee Jr.
• Air Force Band
• Air Force Orchestra
• Singing Sergeants
• Bob Thurston
• Robert Thurston