Classical Ping
Cuz it’s got cannons in it. That’s why. :-)
Cannons don’t usually get to do a solo with orchestra.
I always thought it was for the so-called War of 1812, which is now 200 years past and just as appropriate. Big fan of the Rev, but we need to pay more heed to the 2nd war for independence, too. And Baltimore’s defense against the invading Brits is nothing less than astounding. There really should be a celebration for that.
They play it because it’s fun and loud and what more appropriate day to play something fun and loud.
I’m all for exposing more of the masses to classical music by any means possible, so this is good by me.
For Independence Day I think we should make Rhapsody in Blue the traditional 4th finale.
Besides, other than the Star Spangled Banner what piece of music goes so well with the sound of cannon fire?
For once, an answer to a question that I have been asking about for years! Glad to read it and a reason to continue enjoying the “Cannon’s Roar!”
We like the 1812 Overture because it is loud.
Americans like the 1812 overture on the 4th of July because the composition puts to pure music, without words, the imagery of the scenes sung about in the Star Spangled Banner.
“the twighlight’s last gleaming”
“the dawn’s early light”
“the perilous fight”
“the rockets red glare”
“the bombs bursting in air”
“And [the] “our” [star-spangled] banner in triumph shall wave”
It matters not - to most of us - that the Russian composer wrote the composition in homage to the Russians expelling Napoleon. Without words it “sings” a tune of any great heroic battle, whether our revolutionary battles or others.
Cultural ICONs have a life of their own divorced from their originators; even if just borrowed or adopted by those they speak to in some way.
Maybe in a 100 years, the 1812 Overture will be known globally as “that symphony music Americans play on their Independence Day” more than as “Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture”. Who cares?
They play it because it’s fun and loud and what more appropriate day to play something fun and loud.
I’m all for exposing more of the masses to classical music by any means possible, so this is good by me.
I can think of quite a few patriotic hymns:
Even the Communists have a patriotic hymn:
The church in question was the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, one of the world's largest houses of worship. In 1931, Joseph Stalin ordered it destroyed to make room for a "Palace of the Soviets," which was never built. You can watch a film of its destruction here
After the Soviet Union fell, the cathedral was rebuilt, with modern facilities such as air conditioning, elevators, telecommunication facilities and underground parking. It reopened in 2000.
Its best when accompanied by howitzers.
Hymn to Red October--Nssil K. Poledouris (1989)