The Germans, and the Prussians before them, and the older German stem Duhchies before
them, and so on back to the time when they consumed Roman Legions for lunch, won wars. They did not win by stepping out and deciding that it was a good day to fight a war. They prepared, systematically. A useful German word to remember in this connection is Gruendlichkeit.
As might be expected, this Discipline extended into every intellectual exercise. How to march was no exception. As early as in 1817, King Friedrich Wilhelm III collected 36 slow marches and 36 quick marches and decreed that no other marches were permitted in his presence! This grew, slowly, to three collections:
Collection I. : Slow marches for Infantry (Fusstruppen). 115 nos.;
Collection II. : Quick marches. 269;
Collection III : Cavalry marches. 149.
These were collected in the Armeemarschsammlung, or the AM,and took on a numbering code. Each march was numbered according to collection and a running number. For instance, of those already presented, the Hohenfriedberger was AMIII 1b*, the Koniggraetzer was AMII 195, the Pappenheimermarsch was a slow march, AMI 100, and Preussens Gloria was AMIi 240. Beethoven made a guest appearance with his Yorkscher Marsch at AMII 103!
* Group III! Why? Anybody like to tell us why this is a 'cavalry' tune?
This was the old numbering and is no longer the way these are numbered now.
Here please find Bethoven's Yorckscher Marsch, dedicated to the old Prussian general Major General Ludwig Yorck von Wartenburg, famous for his participation in the reforms of the Prussian Army after Tilsit. This march is not only excellent musically, it has a great deal of significance in present day military ritual.
http://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rc...9tXpfu_Sz4Zbf-MrA&sig2=v90m5K8nPPWVgtFSZNZAJg
I picked this out of the alternatives available because the music is "pure", not tarted up, and is played at the correct tempo, below 120, almost a Brigade of Guards tempo - very apt, considering that Yorck changed his name from Jark to Yorck to sound more British!