La Marseillaise - The World's Best Anthem?
Jul 18th, 2006, 08:45 AM
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La Marseillaise - The World's Best Anthem?
Bastille Day is gone but the singing of la Marseillaise lingers in my mind's ears - i just love that song and think it's the best national anthem in the world - at least ones i've heard. What do you think?
Background: The French Embassy Newsletter says:
"The French national anthem was composed in 1792, during the year of the French Revolution by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a captain in the French army. Given only 20 hours to compose a battle march that would lead troops to the front and his country to freedom, he quickly wrote the "Battle Song of the Army of the Rhine." It was first sung in the street by the federes (republican troops) from Marseille upon arriving in Paris and soon became the bugle call of the Revolution. Its stirring refrain asked French citizens to take up arms against tyranny and fight for freedom. Even after the Revolution ended, the anthem's meaning was not lost - it has been used worldwide as a hymn for liberty. The French Ministry of War adopted the official version of la Marseillaise as France's national anthem in 1887."
My favorite rendition of la Marseillaise:
During France's Bi-Centennial celebrations (1989 or 1992?) during a grand ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe - Jesse Norman Collins suddenly materialized draped in the French tricolor flag belting out la Marseillaise - this brought nearly brought tears to my eyes - an American chosen to sing the culminating la Marseillaise of the whole celebration!
Comments - have you witnessed any stirring renditions of la Marseillaise?
Background: The French Embassy Newsletter says:
"The French national anthem was composed in 1792, during the year of the French Revolution by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle, a captain in the French army. Given only 20 hours to compose a battle march that would lead troops to the front and his country to freedom, he quickly wrote the "Battle Song of the Army of the Rhine." It was first sung in the street by the federes (republican troops) from Marseille upon arriving in Paris and soon became the bugle call of the Revolution. Its stirring refrain asked French citizens to take up arms against tyranny and fight for freedom. Even after the Revolution ended, the anthem's meaning was not lost - it has been used worldwide as a hymn for liberty. The French Ministry of War adopted the official version of la Marseillaise as France's national anthem in 1887."
My favorite rendition of la Marseillaise:
During France's Bi-Centennial celebrations (1989 or 1992?) during a grand ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe - Jesse Norman Collins suddenly materialized draped in the French tricolor flag belting out la Marseillaise - this brought nearly brought tears to my eyes - an American chosen to sing the culminating la Marseillaise of the whole celebration!
Comments - have you witnessed any stirring renditions of la Marseillaise?
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:18 AM
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PalQ, thanks for the history lesson. As a musician, I am shocked to hear it was written in that short a time AND under pressure! I also agree that the TUNE is stirring and moving and they don't seem to have as much trouble singing it as the vocally aerobic Star Spangled Banner.
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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As a patriotic Englishman, I must say I agree with Flanner. The French tune is very stirring, but utterly vile in sentiment. "God Save the Queen" on the other hand is, assuming one has no objections either to the Queen or God (ahem), to be highly reccomended on two counts: 1, its eminently whistleable tune and 2, its shortness. (There are other verses, but these are only wheeled out on very solemn occasions, and the verse about rebellious Scots is usually coughed over). What could be worse when waiting for a world-cup kick-off to endure the anthems of other countries which, just when you thought the tuneless dirge was over, follow up with an orchestral movement that goes on forever in a way that is frankly unsporting? Incidentally, I also like the Stars and Stripes, and disagree with Kurt Vonnegut's criticism of the tune as "gibberish sprinkled with question-marks". Most unfair!
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:29 AM
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Preternat: of course Stars and Stripes, a Sousa tune i think is not the US national anthem - The Star Spangled Banner of course is - even Americans condemn it as an anthem, technically at least in that it's hard to sing, but of course we are emotionally attached to the tune and all it stands for (good and bad, of course) - but mainly for the good.
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:32 AM
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Lyrics aside, I really like the tune of the Marseillaise too - it's rousing and memorable, as a national anthem should be. I don't much like the British national anthem (particularly the verse about crushing the rebellious Scots!). I much prefer Scotland the Brave 
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:35 AM
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Yes, the French anthem is very nice. I love hearing it sung. I have no idea what the words are.
I've always thought "America the Beautiful" has a far superior tune, text, and harmony than the "Star Spangled Banner". I'm wishing one day that we switch.
It's not unprecedented - VA changed their State song recently.
Speaking of state songs, MD must have the most viceral text: "..avenge the patriotic gore, that flecked the streets of Baltimore..."
I've always thought "America the Beautiful" has a far superior tune, text, and harmony than the "Star Spangled Banner". I'm wishing one day that we switch.
It's not unprecedented - VA changed their State song recently.
Speaking of state songs, MD must have the most viceral text: "..avenge the patriotic gore, that flecked the streets of Baltimore..."
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:42 AM
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I love the Marseillaise.
My favorite rendition?
When Victor Lazlo leads the orchestra at Rick's American Bar in Casablanca and the crowd rises as one to sing. I've seen it 100 times but it thrills me every time!
My favorite rendition?
When Victor Lazlo leads the orchestra at Rick's American Bar in Casablanca and the crowd rises as one to sing. I've seen it 100 times but it thrills me every time!
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:49 AM
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that verse about crushing the Scots??? What does it say verbatim? (realizing of course that it was written as a sample of thinking of its time and not today, i hope) just curious as never heard of that verse! And i love the tune of God Save the Queen (sic)! And Oh Canada, which i believe has the identical tune but changed the words, is a great anthem too - even the words in this case.
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:52 AM
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Lyrics aside, La Marseillaise is one of the most stirring of all national anthems, especially in the arrangement by Berlioz for soloists, chorus and full orchestra.
However, my choice for the best would be the Russian national anthem, composed by Alexander Alexandrov in 1944, when Stalin wanted something more nationalistic than the Internationale, which had served the USSR since 1921. The anthem has undergone a number of changes in lyrics, the first deleting all references to Stalin, and the second adapting it to the new Russian republic in 2000, when it replaced the Russian Patriotic song introduced by Boris Yeltsin in 1991. Interestingly, the new lyrics were written by Sergei Mikalkov, who had written the original Stalinist version.
I also think that the Internationale, lyrics aside again, is one of the finest pieces of music to serve as an anthem.
I'm also very partial to my own national anthem, O Canada. However, it does not, as PalQ notes, use the melody of God Save the Queen. It's an entirely different composition.
However, my choice for the best would be the Russian national anthem, composed by Alexander Alexandrov in 1944, when Stalin wanted something more nationalistic than the Internationale, which had served the USSR since 1921. The anthem has undergone a number of changes in lyrics, the first deleting all references to Stalin, and the second adapting it to the new Russian republic in 2000, when it replaced the Russian Patriotic song introduced by Boris Yeltsin in 1991. Interestingly, the new lyrics were written by Sergei Mikalkov, who had written the original Stalinist version.
I also think that the Internationale, lyrics aside again, is one of the finest pieces of music to serve as an anthem.
I'm also very partial to my own national anthem, O Canada. However, it does not, as PalQ notes, use the melody of God Save the Queen. It's an entirely different composition.
Jul 18th, 2006, 09:58 AM
#19
Lord grant that Marshal Wade
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen (King)
Verse 6 - but most people have gone to sleep by then. Maybe the best policy is to find a good tune and write new lyrics - Like Beethovens 9th and The European anthem.
NURSE - Bring the apoplexy pills for Mr Flanner
May by thy mighty aid
Victory bring.
May he sedition hush,
And like a torrent rush,
Rebellious Scots to crush.
God save the Queen (King)
Verse 6 - but most people have gone to sleep by then. Maybe the best policy is to find a good tune and write new lyrics - Like Beethovens 9th and The European anthem.
NURSE - Bring the apoplexy pills for Mr Flanner
