Should Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture not be played at the U.S. Capitol this July 4?

[Anonymous]

Traditionally, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is played to close the televised July 4 concert at the U.S. Capitol right as the fireworks start. This piece was composed to celebrate Russian victory in war. Perhaps it is time to stop playing that piece at a celebration of independence and freedom.

[Anonymous]

No. Jeez. Can’t we just enjoy it for the beautiful music it is ?

[Anonymous]

No. Draw the line somewhere and have perspective. Are you going to strike Dostoyevsky from school syllabi next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Draw the line somewhere and have perspective. Are you going to strike Dostoyevsky from school syllabi next?

There is a difference between a national celebration of independence and literature in a classroom.

I’m neutral on keeping it vs trying something different this year, but it would be cringey.

[Anonymous]

Here’s the thing, op:

Americans associate that song with fireworks and some very specific movie scenes…not Russia. So, it’s all good.

PS - We don’t hate Russia or their people. We just hate Putin.

Did you know that yesterday was International Women’s Day? In America, we celebrate by posting on social media. In Russia, it’s a national holiday.

[Anonymous]

Good grief.

[Anonymous]

You sound like my church. I couldn't walk down the aisle to "Here comes the bride" because it was from Wagner and was too associated with Nazis.

[Anonymous]

This instinct to cancel things is really annoying. It does nothing for the people of Ukraine. Focus your energies on refugee relief efforts, not finding dead composers to punish.

[Anonymous]

Oh god are we back to the Freedom Fries-type idiocy?!

[Anonymous]

Sheesh, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like my church. I couldn't walk down the aisle to "Here comes the bride" because it was from Wagner and was too associated with Nazis.

Is that really the reason? Many churches disapprove of that piece because it’s secular rather than religious, plus the marriage in the opera is doomed.

[Anonymous]

Don't cancel Tchaikovsky!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Traditionally, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is played to close the televised July 4 concert at the U.S. Capitol right as the fireworks start. This piece was composed to celebrate Russian victory in war. Perhaps it is time to stop playing that piece at a celebration of independence and freedom.

It was composed to celebrate the country driving out invaders. I hope it can be played with a full measure of irony in July. Slava Ukraini!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound like my church. I couldn't walk down the aisle to "Here comes the bride" because it was from Wagner and was too associated with Nazis.

Is that really the reason? Many churches disapprove of that piece because it’s secular rather than religious, plus the marriage in the opera is doomed.

I don't know a single church that disapproves of The Wedding March. And I've been to a lot.

[Anonymous]

As long as we have a national anthem that pays tribute to slavery, cancelling the 1812 Overture would be silly.