Very Valid point about the national anthem. I was unaware of it's date of establishment. My comment then is ignorant and not contrived, and for that I apologize.

My point about the Native Americans was neither saying they are rightfully offended, or that they should grow a pair. I was trying to articulate the subjective nature of a national anthem from different people's perspective, and the nature of the anthem as time progresses. I was then trying to relate that sense of perspective to Tarm's piece. And I was defending his use of the Nazi Anthem as a comparison and critique of current events.

I disagree that we can't be expected to divine Tarm's context. It is clear that he is not promoting totalitarianism, he is attempting to evoke a myriad of emotions that coagulate around the actions of oppressive governments. If the NYYS wants something more clear for the audience to understand that is one thing, but to say Tarm is ambiguous is misleading. He wanted his music to speak for itself, and was stubborn about this fact. With what information he did provide, the context is clear.

With the action of removing the piece, we don't even give the composer the chance to see if his genius deserves an opportunity to be heard.

With Wagner, his music was used by the Nazis as exaltation of their ideals, and Wagner's personal ideals. He is forgiven because the music is good. Tarm was stubborn, and unprofessional, but his music was not meant to be exaltation of Nazi ideas. It was meant to be a tribute of those who have suffered under these regimes, and regimes that are currently showing glimpses of the same behaviors.

I highly doubt that if the NYYS plays Wagner, that his acts or the use of his music by the Nazis are brought up. The Israeli Philharmonic has a de facto ban on playing his music because his music is still offensive. In all of my years of going to conservatory and working as a professional musician, I learned of Wagner's anti-semitism through my own research. We gloss over this fact, because we enjoy the music. To react this strongly against Tarm's music but not against Wagner's is confusing, and borderline hypocritical, especially when all the evidence that Tarm presented points to a work that is critical of oppressive governements.