I suggest moderate discussion. Note that to some of us 'american' includes Canada. And more.

I always wondered at the Columbus Day thing. He landed in Cuba at one point, and I guess some people think that was the US, but....

One needs a broad perspective. The music of the Canadian Mid West is not much different from the US, nor is the NE music, or the NW music. And as to 'black' or 'african' or whatever term is proper these days, the end of the underground railroad was just south of me. Where my wife's family is from. They have at the local university glowing reports of the new postman and his bike, worked for my wife's family who ran the post office. They use the dreaded N word, but in the same phrase talk of him being a great gentleman, and it was the early 1800's when most Canadians had not seen someone of colour.

We need to think of music globally, and understand who and what made it what it is, in the spirit of harmony. As to the man in question and his angst, or leanings, well I know far more about Mr. Mozart than he, and far more about the music of the 1700's to the 1800's. But I like to listen.

This was posted for intelligent discussion, not 6 shooting.

On another note, after 8 weeks I got from the UK the Best of Vera Lynnn, and have been reading the era and listening to her. My 88 year old RCAF then RAF officer from WW2 told me last night, "she thought her job was to make me cry and she did a darn good job of it." Interesting...

John Conley
Musica est vita