Where would America be without Founding Father and second President John Adams?

The Boston Landmarks Orchestra has released a stirring new CD recording of their patriotic piece "John Adams: The Voice Heard ‘Round the World" with a richly-illustrated companion book. From the orchestra’s renowned “History through Music Series,” this inspiring composition pays tribute to Adams’ vital role in securing American freedom from colonial tyranny.

Biographer David McCullough narrates text written by educator Marian R. Carlson, with an original score by composer Anthony DiLorenzo, conducted by the late Charles Ansbacher, founder of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra.

History, music and patriotism come alive in this innovative multimedia experience. Aimed at children ages 8 and up, the dramatic symphony recording, accompanied by Carlson’s 36-page book, has widespread appeal.

Former Atlantic magazine editor Diana Rowan Rockefeller says of the book, “Richly-illustrated with portraits and evocative historical prints, this young people’s story is also an invaluable refresher course for adults.”

Among the 33 color illustrations are colonial portraits by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart, as well as period engravings, folk art, and John Trumbull's monumental painting of 1817 titled "Declaration of Independence" (Rotunda of US Capitol).

McCullough, whose own book about John Adams remains one of the most critically acclaimed and widely read American biographies of all time, lends his dynamic voice to Carlson’s text. Against a lively backdrop of classical music, McCullough delivers such memorable quotes as “…sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I am with my country,” brave words spoken by Adams when he risked his life to promote the Declaration of Independence.

Pulitzer Prize-winner David Hackett Fischer writes this review: “John and Abigail Adams delighted in happy experiments, and they would be doubly pleased by this one. It will inspire anyone, of any age, who loves history and music ‘to dare to read, think, speak, and write’ in our time, as they did in theirs.”

The CD “John Adams: The Voice Heard ‘Round the World,” recorded by the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and narrated by David McCullough, and its companion paperback (Schoolmaster Press, 2010) by Marian R. Carlson, can be ordered online at http://www.schoolmasterpress.com/  or http://www.landmarksorchestra.org/. Each is priced at $12.95.

For more information, email carlson@schoolmasterpress.com.

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About Charles Ansbacher: President Bill Clinton once called Founder and Conductor Laureate of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra Charles Ansbacher (1942-2010) the “unofficial ambassador of America’s music” because he conducted regularly on almost every continent. He served as the principal guest conductor of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, the Sarajevo Philharmonic, and the Bishkek Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, among many other appearances during his 40-year career.

About Boston Landmarks Orchestra: The orchestra, founded by the late Charles Ansbacher a decade ago, provides free classical music concerts in the Boston area. Since 2002, the orchestra has commissioned new works for children in its “History through Music Series.”

About Marian R. Carlson: Writer and educator Marian “Hannah” Carlson is a former syndicated newspaper columnist and founder of The Young Writers’ Club and Schoolmaster Press. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, PBS, and others to write educational programs. Her other recent works are American Genius: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and In Search of the Great American Writers. She formerly taught in Lexington and Newton, Mass., schools.

About Anthony DiLorenzo: Emmy Award-winning composer and trumpeter Anthony DiLorenzo is well-known for his ability to cross-over from classical to jazz. He has soloed with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. As a composer, DiLorenzo’s music has been performed throughout the world by symphony orchestras and chamber groups. He has also composed over 80 film trailers.

About David McCullough:  Twice winner of the National Book Award and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, David McCullough received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. The well-known author of critically-acclaimed biographies, including John Adams, McCullough has also been an editor, essayist, teacher, lecturer, and familiar presence on public television --- as host of Smithsonian World, The American Experience, and narrator of numerous documentaries including The Civil War.