the "Cuban" National Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-2_d8BCHBc

La Bayamesa

This is supposedly a representation of Cuban culture and nationalism 

instrumentation is a typical symphonic orchestra 

Performers unknown

I hate to keep going back to the topic of authenticity, but this struck me in a way that I couldn't ignore it. As I was putting together my unit playlist I wanted to see what the national anthems of some counties in my geographic area sound like. I heard this anthem and I was puzzled. I looked around the internet because I couldn't believe that this was Cuba's anthem. The translation of the lyrics seem like they fit in with nationalistic pride and unity, but the music itself is in no way cuban. This is a typical march that is indicative of western music. I'm sure Cuba is not the only country to use music that is actually quite foreign for its national anthem, but I do not see why. People should be celebrating who they are as a culture with their anthem. This western march does no justice to the proud musical traditions of Cuba.