A Day Of Victory - Norman Corwin On A Note Of Triumph
Sunday the 8th of May 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of V-E Day - Victory in Europe - after Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies signaling the end of six years of hardship and suffering across the world. It would mark the end of the tyranny of fascism in Europe and the homecoming for many courageous Americans.
To celebrate the victory Norman Corwin, America's "Poet Laureate" was commissioned by CBS to write a piece for radio and On A Note Of Triumph was first broadcast the night Nazi Germany surrendered, 8th May 1945, and was listened to by millions of Americans. It is considered to be Corwin’s masterpiece and has been called the single greatest radio broadcast of the century.
"By late 1944, it was becoming obvious that we were going to win, and that the Nazis were going to go down before the Japanese did. Corwin began working on a Victory Day show for the European war in the fall of ’44, when some expected the Germans to give up by Christmas. When V-E Day finally did arrive, on May 8, 1945, he was ready with a masterpiece: On A Note Of Triumph. This one-hour live studio broadcast, with a full orchestra playing Bernard Herrmann’s original score, had an enormous impact. Thousands of calls, letters and telegrams poured in; the show was released as a set of 78-rpm records, which promptly sold out – and a hardcover copy of the script also went immediately into additional pressings, becoming an instant best-seller.
It is difficult to fully explain the impact of On A Note Of Triumph to anyone who has not heard the program. After more than half a century, its power is still overwhelming. It is, arguably, the greatest single radio broadcast of the 20th Century. It is, unquestionably, Corwin’s masterpiece."
To read more of the above article about Norman Corwin click on the following link Norman Corwin, The Grand Master Of American Radio Theater.
You can listen to On A Note Of Triumph on RUSC from Sunday 8th May 2005 as we remember those great men and women from all over the world, past and living who played their part in securing the freedom for us all today.
Happy listening my friends,
P.S Happy Mothers Day!