Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
***** Growing up in a poor family with 17 children, Franklin - an uneducated runaway - became one of the most notable historical figures of all time. Publishing newspapers, creating the post office, pioneering advances in science, founding universities and libraries, inventing the lightning rod, creating the Franklin Stove, starting a book on the cause of the common cold, discovering the Gulf Stream, organizing fire brigades, traveling across the Atlantic SEVEN times, diplomat to England and France, and the ONLY PERSON TO SIGN ALL THREE founding documents of this new country. Without his direct hand in shaping foreign and domestic policy, life would arguably be far different today, not just for those in this country, but far beyond: "Our cause is the case of ALL humankind....we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own." (BF)
LOOKING FOR A FRESH EXTENDED WORK? Invigorate your programming with FRANKLIN - celebrating "The First American" [Benjamin Franklin] and his quest for Freedom and Liberty for people everywhere. CARNEGIE HALL premier April 11, 2026. Hinshaw Music, Z. Randall Stroope, composer & Pearl Shangkuan, conductor! NATIONAL CONCERTS, commissioner.
Orchestra: 2211-1330 (2 fl, 2 ob, cl in A, bsn, hn, 3 tpt in C, 2 tenor trb, bass trb) timp, perc (2), SATB chorus, strings
MOVEMENTS
1. The American Dream was Born
2. Poor Richard, Silence Dogood, and Benjamin Franklin (Early Years as Printer and Inventor)
3. The Delight of All That Knew Him (Death of Benjamin and Deborah's Son)
4. Struck By a Bolt of Fate (The Key and the Kite)
5. Where Freedom and Liberty Dwell, There is My Country
6. From Loyalist to Patriot
7. Finale
Join the over 4,300 subscribers to Randall's channel, and see/hear the other 108 videos he has created. Several new works have just been recorded, including his new extended (six-movement) work, IN PARADISUM - released in the spring (Go to zrstroope.com to listen and see a score.)
***** Growing up in a poor family with 17 children, Franklin - an uneducated runaway - became one of the most notable historical figures of all time. Publishing newspapers, creating the post office, pioneering advances in science, founding universities and libraries, inventing the lightning rod, creating the Franklin Stove, starting a book on the cause of the common cold, discovering the Gulf Stream, organizing fire brigades, traveling across the Atlantic SEVEN times, diplomat to England and France, and the ONLY PERSON TO SIGN ALL THREE founding documents of this new country. Without his direct hand in shaping foreign and domestic policy, life would arguably be far different today, not just for those in this country, but far beyond: "Our cause is the case of ALL humankind....we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own." (BF)
LOOKING FOR A FRESH EXTENDED WORK? Invigorate your programming with FRANKLIN - celebrating "The First American" [Benjamin Franklin] and his quest for Freedom and Liberty for people everywhere. CARNEGIE HALL premier April 11, 2026. Hinshaw Music, Z. Randall Stroope, composer & Pearl Shangkuan, conductor! NATIONAL CONCERTS, commissioner.
Orchestra: 2211-1330 (2 fl, 2 ob, cl in A, bsn, hn, 3 tpt in C, 2 tenor trb, bass trb) timp, perc (2), SATB chorus, strings
MOVEMENTS
1. The American Dream was Born
2. Poor Richard, Silence Dogood, and Benjamin Franklin (Early Years as Printer and Inventor)
3. The Delight of All That Knew Him (Death of Benjamin and Deborah's Son)
4. Struck By a Bolt of Fate (The Key and the Kite)
5. Where Freedom and Liberty Dwell, There is My Country
6. From Loyalist to Patriot
7. Finale
Join the over 4,300 subscribers to Randall's channel, and see/hear the other 108 videos he has created. Several new works have just been recorded, including his new extended (six-movement) work, IN PARADISUM - released in the spring (Go to zrstroope.com to listen and see a score.)
![JUDASKUSS [Kiss of Judas] - Z. RANDALL STROOPE - Composer Commentary](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vKXuo8GE_5s/mqdefault.jpg "JUDASKUSS [Kiss of Judas] - Z. RANDALL STROOPE - Composer Commentary
***** One rarely if EVER, has heard Judas side of this actions that earned him villain status. Yet he was one of the chosen twelve. Randall gives a brief commentary, using two very unique sources to explain Judas protagonist/antagonist conflicted mind in the betrayal of Jesus. For the music/mp4 only of JUDASKUSS on YouTube, go to https://youtu.be/krRHmEFeo6A?si=glhEJlL0IRWfPtOv
Join the over 4,180 subscribers to Randalls channel, and see/hear the other 108 videos he has created. Several new works have just been recorded, including his new extended (six-movement) work, IN PARADISUM - released in the spring (go to zrstroope.com to listen and see a score.).")
