Essay...Our National Anthem at the Olympics....?

Question

So proud to stand atop the podium with a medal

of gold as the Star Spangled Banner plays in a

version written by some musicant. This musicant

who composed this version of our glorious anthem

obviously doesn't understand the original composers

intent. In music there is a 'Climax'. It should be the most heart wrenching moment of the song. In our anthem, the 'climax' runs thus;

"And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there."

In the Olympic version the climax is "wusified" with violins and violas in unison at an adagio pace. What a disgrace. When you are singing of war (or witnessing it as the original composer did) i.e. rockets and bombs, the climax should have timpani, horns, strong bass, and possibly violins silently in the background played at a loud andante to prepare the soldier for battle.

I have to hit the mute when the violins come on.

The rest is fine. Get rid of those stupid slow violins at the climax!!!

Answer 1

You are right but maby they don't know any better or don't know the meening of our Anthem.Lets forgive them as long as we know how it should be played and what it meens

Answer 2

relax, don't be a hater

Answer 3

do you know how many countries' anthems they have? you are thinking a tad too hard about this one.

Answer 4

Just picking nits here, but the climax of the SSB is "land of the free, home of the brave."  The "rockets red glare" section is the bridge/transition.  

I do agree that their arrangement of it doesn't take into account the original composition's intent.  However, one thing stuck in my mind as I was watching the opening ceremonies was their discussion of the Chinese focus on yin/yang, light/dark, loud/soft--there were many examples of the loud/soft in their musical selections.  

I'm guessing the arranger and the Beijing Symphony Orchestra were honoring that.  

I'd be interested to know if other countries have problems with the interpretations of their anthems as well.