In this special 4th of July edition of Classical Classroom Research Presentations, Dacia ponders why Americans listen to Russian music on their Independence Day. She uncovers the [not really that] secret history of how one man and his love of pyrotechnics made Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture the theme music for America's most patriotic celebration.

Written, produced, and otherwise manhandled by Dacia Clay.

Music used in this episode includes:

– Pyotr Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Boston Pops Orchestra, RCA 63516

References:

For information on David Mugar, Arthur Fiedler, and the Boston Pops Orchestra, click here and here.

For information about Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, click here.

Photograph: Bettmann/Corbis