Just listening to this amazing piece of music, and wondering how come the Germans passed up the chance to make it their national anthem. So, how could Pachelbel's canon become the german national anthem?
German nationalism after the 1860s doesn't do 'quiet' very well. That said, the one they did pick is - kinda dull.
Probably something about the democratic states in Europe striving to be secular in the 20th century, and a Canon being a very religious-oriented piece of music and all.
So...maybe have an outwardly religious German state, probably a monarchy in the late 19th century that survives. Possibly a "restored" (read: new and very different) "HRE" if Austria comes to dominate the German Confederation and some nostalgia-high Emperor decides "I'm Roman Emperor now, lol wut".
The song was never, ever called "Deutschland über alles", that's just the first words of the first stanza.One weird thing about the German National Anthem is that it was originally Austrian! (Or, the tune was, rather.) Most people are so used to the tune being 'Deutschland ueber alles' that they forget the origin.
Seconded. The French national anthem makes me cringe, but the Ode to Joy fills me with the nearest thing to patriotic pride I'm able to experience.I think where Germany missed their chance was in not grabbing Beethoven's Ode to Joy before Europe got it. Now THAT'S an anthem.
It mentions German wine in the second verse doesn't it? Now that's odd, a country that produces so much good beer having its anthem mention its decidedly average wine...The song was never, ever called "Deutschland über alles", that's just the first words of the first stanza.
It's "Deutschlandlied" or "Lied der Deutschen".
It was, btw. a wine-drinking song.![]()
You take that "average wine" comment right back, you! You!It mentions German wine in the second verse doesn't it? Now that's odd, a country that produces so much good beer having its anthem mention its decidedly average wine...
Only compared to German beer.You take that "average wine" comment right back, you! You!![]()
A canon isn't a religious piece - it's purely secular. Pachelbel's Canon is basically just a very basic chord progression repeated over and over again with an increasingly decorative upper line.
I know it's a popular piece, but it's pretty simple and any first-year music student could write it. Pachelbel would probably be dismayed that it's the only thing he's known for.
Anyway, it would be a poor national anthem, because it has no words, it's slow, and anthems are supposed to inspire, not put you to sleep.
Also, Pachelbel was Bavarian.
I think where Germany missed their chance was in not grabbing Beethoven's Ode to Joy before Europe got it. Now THAT'S an anthem. And what better for Germany than a beer-drinking song?
Hrmm. But what could replace it? Watch on the Rhine seems a bit, well, specific...