1991 Grammy Award Winner: Best Traditional Folk Album

Nonesuch released the official soundtrack recording to The Civil War, the five-part film by Ken Burns deemed one of the most popular offering ever presented on public television, in 1990. With over 14 million viewers each night, The Civil War earned high critical acclaim and a 13 percent market share in the Nielsen ratings for its debut telecast. The documentary series traces the personal and political fortunes of both the leaders and the soldiers who were involved in America’s greatest internal conflict.

Featuring traditional American music ranging from brass bands to gospel choirs, “the music in The Civil War achieves an eloquence parallel to that of the narration, and it reinforces the visual illusion of aching, coming-to-life immediacy. All the music is contemporary to the period; Burns even hired musicians to play instruments that are no longer made.” (GQ) Ken Burns, the creator of the series, and John Colby served as producers of the recording.

Among the well-known American songs featured in The Civil War are “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Dixie,” “Shenandoah,” and “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” The theme music to the series, “Ashokan Farewell”, a haunting fiddle tune, opens and closes the 30-track recording. It also includes two spoken word excerpts of an opening track taken from the writings of Oliver Wendell Holmes, and a reading of a love letter from a Union soldier to his wife which serves as the finale of the recording.