Simon Rattle leads the Berliner Philharmoniker in this New Year's Eve Concert in Berlin. The orchestra, accompanied by soprano Pauline Malefane and bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff perform a number of works by John Adams, Samuel Barber, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and John Philip Sousa.

John Philip Sousa was known to millions of Americans as the "March King," but Sousa was also a formidable writer, as this volume amply demonstrates. The Fifth String sees Sousa laying down his baton and taking picking up his pen to tell the story of Diotti, a renowned violinist, coming to America. This novellette is a must addition to any collection of Sousa's works, musical or otherwise.

The book contains full scores to five Sousa marches for modern band instruments. These were originally published without scores or only condensed scores. The marches in this second volume are: The Stars and Stripes Forever, The Pathfinder of Panama, The Invincible Eagle, Jack Tar, The Liberty bell, The Thunderer, and Washington Post. The format is reduced size for study.

The book contains full scores to five Sousa marches for modern band instruments. These were originally published without scores or condensed scores. The marches in this first volume are: The Stars and Stripes Forever, The Pathfinder of Panama, The Gallant Seventh, The Glory of the Yankee Navy, and Hands Across the Sea. The format is reduced size for study.