Stella's Place

Do you remember the bicentennial? This video is of the Boston Pops’ celebration on July 4, 1976 (Arthur Fiedler conducting). I used to watch this every year, and will again tonight.

I love the singing by the audience of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and I have always loved the 1812 Overture. Nobody does that better than the Pops! Fireworks, cannons (I think they are actually howitzers) and bells, where the rebellion began that formed our country.

There was unrest in the USA back then, but there was a lot of patriotism too.

I can’t wait for next year’s big 250 celebration, and I pray it will be as patriotic and heartwarming as the bicentennial was.

Personal story: My husband and I would end parties at our house by playing the 1812 Overture, and encourage everybody to join in, clapping or hooting and hollering. One year our neighbor called the police because we were too noisy. Imagine being a loud nuisance with Tchaikovsky! I guess noise is noise.

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