The Guiding Light (soap opera)
(CBS Daytime, 1952 - present)
[aired on NBC Radio 1937 -1947;
and on CBS Radio since 1947]
[Some theme information after 1965 courtesy Soap Opera music
expert David R. Jackson, who has several screen shots of the
various "Guiding Light" openings over the years on his web page
at http://drjtv.fortunecity.ws/gl.html]
Theme 1 (1952 - 1967): Variations on "Romance",
2nd movement of
the "Violin Concerto
#2, in D Minor", Opus 22
[ASCAP title: "Romance";
aka: "Wieniawski's Romance"]
[Wieniawski's "Romance" was verified as the THEME for this
daytime drama series in the TV Guide article "It Seems To Me
I've Heard That Theme Before" July 28, 1956, pp. 12-13;
Both "Opening" and "Closing" THEMEs for the series are derived from
"Romance", the 2nd movement of "Violin Concerto #2, in D Minor",
Opus 22 by the Silesian composer Henryk ("Henri") Wieniawski.
"Romance" is sometimes performed in a chamber transcription by
a solo violinist accompanied by a pianist.
Wieniawski began work on his 2nd Violin Concerto as early as
1856, but its first performance didn't take place until 1862,
and it wasn't published until 1870; John Gart's adaptation of
the 2nd movement melody transforms the 12/8 flow of it into
a more 4/4 conception, and "collapses" the melody so it can
be rendered in a shorter period of time. Considerable liberties
are taken but the derivation is clear.
In studying the "Opening" as played by organist Gart on an
aircheck at the Museum of TV and radio in Beverly Hills, I find
that the melody he plays had many differences from the motif of
the Wieniawski "Romance" upon which it is based, and which is
the more obvious derivation of the "Closing" THEME below.
This makes the "Opening" sound like a different composition
than the "Closing". However a careful analysis of motifs in
the original Wieniawski melody shows that the Gart THEME is
indeed derived from it too, despite much ornamentation and a
rather loose and emotional (rubato) interpretation of tempo.
In later years (as on the aircheck I heard) the opening was
compressed into a very short few seconds, so the difference
between the original melody was even more pronounced.
This THEME was also used on CBS Radio beginning in 1947, when
the soap changed networks in 1947.
NOTE: An earlier THEME called "Aphrodite" [aka: "Aphrodite
Waltz" by Anselm Goetzl was only heard on radio during the
NBC Radio years (1937 - 1947).
John Gart was credited in ASCAP for the "Opening & Closing"
THEMES below.]
Original Composer: Henryk ("Henri") Wieniawski (predates ASCAP & BMI),
adaptation by John Marion Gart (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Aspenfair Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o CBS, Inc. of
New York, NY
Composition Dates: 1856 - 1862
Copyright Date:
Recordings:
Theme 2 (1967 - 1969): "Guiding Light (Opening
& Closing Theme)"
[This THEME was composed for the first color season of the show.]
Composer: John Marion Gart (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
Copyright Date: May 26, 1969; Eu 121 503.
Recordings:
Opening Theme 3 (1970 - 75): "La Lumiere / La
Lanterne"
[The "La Lanterne" title is a revision of the basic THEME
called "La Lumiere" which it incorporates along with a later
THEME called "Rue d'Or". The "Lumiere" & "Lanterne" titles refer
to the show's visual opening graphics of a lighthouse sending
out its widening beam of light.]
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP),
of New York, NY
[filed as "La Lumiere"]:
Copyright Date: Nov. 8, 1968; EU 84 078.
[filed as "La Lanterne"]:
Copyright Date: March 17, 1975; EU 563 527.
Recordings:
Sub-Theme and Closing Theme 4 (1970 - 75): "Rue
d'Or / La Lumiere"
[Title as filed for copyright:
"Rue d'Or (Sub-Theme for 'Guiding Light')"]
[This was originally a sub-theme used as a mid-program break theme,
and then was incorporated into the End Credits medley "La Lumiere"
used to Close the show]
Composer: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Dore Music Company (ASCAP),
of New York, NY
[filed as "La Lumiere"]:
Copyright Date: Nov. 8, 1968; EU 84 078.
[filed as "Rue D'Or"]:
Copyright Date: Jan. 6, 1971; Eu 226 487.
Recordings:
Theme 5 (1975 - 1982): "Ritournelle"
Composers: Charles F. Paul (ASCAP); with
Dina Dore Paul (BMI)
1999 Publisher: Mi Voix Music (BMI), of
Washington, CT
Copyright Date:
Recordings:
Theme 6 (1982 - 83): "Guided Lightning
(Theme)"
[vocal title: "I Remember"]
Composer: Jack Urbont (BMI)
2001 Publisher: Projagam Music Company (BMI)
of New York, NY
Composition Date: 1982
Copyright Date:
Recordings:
Theme 7 (1983 - 91): "My Guiding Light
(Theme)"
[aka: "The Guiding Light Theme"]
Composer: Rob Mounsey (ASCAP)
[professional name of Robert Perry Mounsey]
2001 Publisher: Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o Signature Sound, Inc.
of New York, NY
Copyright Date:
Recordings:
Theme 8 (1991 - ): "Hold On To Love"
Composers: Rob Mounsey (ASCAP)
[professional name of Robert Perry Mounsey], and
Michael Dalton (BMI); with
lyrics by David Lubell Buskin (ASCAP), and
Abra Bigham (ASCAP)
2001 Publisher: Riverfront Music Publishing Co. (BMI)
c/o Signature Sound, Inc.
of New York, NY
Copyright Date:
Recordings:
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