Playlist suggestions for Independence Day

This week Sequenza 21 sent out a call for July 4^th playlist suggestions that has prompted some really interesting responses. The suggestions submitted to date offer a very interesting list populated by American works from the usual suspects, e.g. Ives, Carter, and even William Billings, but also there have been some titles new to me.

My own slightly warped perspective might propose Frederic Rsweksi's 36 Variations on 'The People United Will Never Be Defeated!' (1975) and Debussy's Feu d'Artifice for starters (Yes, I know he's not an American, so save it for Bastille Day!). Also, George Walker's Piano Sonata No. 2 (1979) is an "acknowledged masterpiece" built upon a masterful set of variations on a Negro spiritual melody. Incidentally, in 1966 Walker was the first African-American composer to receive a Pulitzer Prize in music.

What would you put on your list? You can either comment here submit your suggestions directly to the Sequenza 21 site.