Klarinet Archive - Posting 000634.txt from 2001/11

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Thanksgiving Music
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 04:48:56 -0500

My evening of piano music at the Gatwick Hilton was for the American civil
pilots and staff. It tuned out to be a very enjoyable evening. Eight chefs
suitably attired 'marched' into the room each one carrying a well stuffed
turkey on a huge silver tray. (There should be some special music for that,
but there wasn`t). The whole room cheered as they were set down on each
table. I was a bit nervous, not having experienced this celebration before,
but everyone was appreciative with the 100% American music which I
provided - all except one item, which upon reading some history about
American music, came my discovery that the 'unofficial' National Anthem -
'The Star Bangled Banner' was written by John Stafford Smith, an English
man. It is a tune which was originally known as the Anacreontic Song, after
a club of the same name which met in the Cross and Anchor tavern in the
Strand in London. It was, therefore originally a 'drinking song' which
eventually travelled across to America on or around 1814 when Francis Scott
Key presented America wich the new text during the battle between England
and America. I will relate this story in another mail (if you are
interested), as I have to go out to 5tet rehearsal now.

Thank you once again to your suggestions, of which there <also> lies a
strange tale - an opposite reaction to what we all might have thought.

I hope everyone`s Thanksgiving was as peaceful as 'mine'.

Best,

Tony W.

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