Readers reply: Why are national anthems almost always orchestral?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts This week’s question: Why is a child saying ‘Na-na, na-na-na!

’ so annoying? Why are national anthems almost always orchestral? When – and by whom – was it decided that brass and strings best represent a country’s identity? Where are the power-pop…