“The Star-Spangled Banner”: The National Anthem as Arranged by Rachmaninov and Stravinsky

On September 14, 1814, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key penned the words that would later form the National Anthem. The defining image of the poem was the sight of the U.S. flag, with its fifteen stars and strips, flying defiantly above the Fort following the battle. The triumphant image was central to the ethos of a young, fragile upstart nation, shaking off European colonialism. The fragility of the bold American experiment, along with its imperfect pursuit of noble ideals remain.

Ironically, Key’s triumphant poem was set to The Anacreontic Song, a popular drinking song written by Englishman John Stafford Smith. The Star-Spangled Banner was officially adopted as the national anthem of the United States in 1931.

Sergei Rachmaninov, who emigrated to the United States in 1918 as a result of the Russian Revolution, and became a citizen in 1943, wrote this arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner. His noble performance is preserved on this piano roll:

Igor Stravinsky emigrated to the United States in 1939, and became a citizen six years later. His adventurous arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner for the Boston Symphony Orchestra sparked controversy. Following an initial performance, the Boston Police, misinterpreting a Federal law prohibiting “tampering” with the National Anthem, told Stravinsky that he had to remove his arrangement from the remaining programs. Grudgingly, he conceded.

Recordings

  • Rachmaninov: The Star-Spangled Banner, Sergei Rachmaninov Amazon
  • Stravinsky: The Star-Spangled Banner, Michael Tilson Thomas, London Symphony Orchestra michaeltilsonthomas.com

About Timothy Judd

A native of Upstate New York, Timothy Judd has been a member of the Richmond Symphony violin section since 2001. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he earned the degrees Bachelor of Music and Master of Music, studying with world renowned Ukrainian-American violinist Oleh Krysa.

The son of public school music educators, Timothy Judd began violin lessons at the age of four through Eastman’s Community Education Division. He was a student of Anastasia Jempelis, one of the earliest champions of the Suzuki method in the United States.

A passionate teacher, Mr. Judd has maintained a private violin studio in the Richmond area since 2002 and has been active coaching chamber music and numerous youth orchestra sectionals.

In his free time, Timothy Judd enjoys working out with Richmond’s popular SEAL Team Physical Training program.

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