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LETTER of the MONTH
Victorious adaptations
I enjoyed Andrew Green’s investigation of the origin and rise of our National Anthem (June issue). While I admire Beethoven’s which he mentions, in my view a far better and more dramatic use of it is in the second part of his battle symphony, (or the ) Op. 91. This theatrical orchestral showpiece predates Tchaikovsky’s ubiquitous Overture, but like it celebrates the defeat of Napoleonic forces with cannon and musket effects. It starts with two marching bands: one English, playing part of ; the other French,
