WWII Music: Pianos

From Dear Nora:

In a letter to her parents, Nora writes, "We recently got a Victory Vertical piano for the Rec Hall and have some patients who can play. Everyone loves it. You can’t imagine how much the boys love to get around the piano and sing—morning, noon, and night."

Victory Vertical pianos were treasured by U.S. troops, lovingly cared for, often given names, and brought back to life when damaged. No new pianos were being made in the U.S. during WWII due to the diversion of metal for war purposes. Steinway & Sons’ head of sales had the idea to create small, portable pianos with handles that could be used in military settings such as ships, hospitals, Red Cross facilities, and base recreation halls used for dances, concerts, and worship services. He sold the idea to the War Production Board in June 1943 and 405 pianos were ordered. By the end of the war, 5,000 Victory Verticals had been shipped to locations where troops were serving. Pianos came packed with sheet music, tuning tools, and instructions.

Music was vitally important to soldiers. Familiar tunes represented the peaceful life they once had, reminded them of loved ones, and of the faith in which they were raised. The unexpected in a piece new to them was exciting, too—a unique chord progression, a truly rich and wonderful chord in a surprising location, an unusual combination of instruments—all of that was thrilling in its own way.

The emotions connected with the music of the war years account for its enduring likeability. Interestingly, some of the most melancholy songs of WWII were composed in a major key—"I’ll Be Seeing You,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “White Christmas.” For those serving in the war, these songs linked positive and negative emotions—the longing for home and loved ones and the sadness of being trapped in a seemingly endless war. The visual imagery of the lyrics in these songs also brought back memories, sometimes happy and other times a deeply emotional reaction to a past event.

Conductor Leon Botstein summed it up so well in his New York Times article (3/3/91): “Music provided a tangibility and expression to the emotional turmoil of American citizens in the war, who clung to songs commemorating parted lovers, marching soldiers, and patriotic citizens. These tunes became anthems and mottos of their daily existence. The songs lifted weary spirits and gave them strength to move on. Through music, America was solidified in unity, strength, stamina, and determination, and the country was given a voice that was heard. . .around the world.”