Classical Music / Orchestral
Popularly known as the 1812 Overture, The Year 1812, festival overture in E-flat, Op. 49, is an overture written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to commemorate Russia's defence of its motherland against Napoleon's invading Grand Army in 1812.
The overture was first performed on August 20, 1882, on an all-Tchaikovsky program at the Art and Industrial Exhibition, in Moscow, conducted by Ippolit Al'tani under a tent near the then-unfinished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, also memorializing the 1812 defense of Russia.
The Year 1812, festival overture in E-flat major, Op. 49
Popularly known as the 1812 Overture, The Year 1812, festival overture in E-flat, Op. 49, is an overture written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to commemorate Russia's defence of its motherland against Napoleon's invading Grand Army in 1812.
The overture was first performed on August 20, 1882, on an all-Tchaikovsky program at the Art and Industrial Exhibition, in Moscow, conducted by Ippolit Al'tani under a tent near the then-unfinished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, also memorializing the 1812 defense of Russia.
It was conducted by Tchaikovsky himself in 1891 at the dedication of Carnegie Hall, in what became the first time a major European composer visited the United States.
1812 Overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale. It has also become a common accompaniment to fireworks displays on the United States' Independence Day. It went on to become one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works, along with his ballet scores: The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker.
1812 Overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale. It has also become a common accompaniment to fireworks displays on the United States' Independence Day. It went on to become one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works, along with his ballet scores: The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker.
Brief history of the famous 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky
Nikolay Rubinstein, head of the music section in connection with an exhibition of industry and the arts planned for 1881, commissioned from Tchaikovsky an overture which would open the exhibition. Tchaikovsky was reluctant: it was not the kind of job that attracted him, but he could not refuse Rubinstein's request. The composer only worked on it in October 1880, and finished it in less than a week, apart from the orchestration. He did not cherish any illusion of its true worth, as he told his patroness Madame Nadezhda von Meck, "It will be very loud and noisy. I wrote it without much warmth and therefore there will probably be no artistic merit in it." By this time, however, Tchaikovsky's music was famous worldwide.
It's common knowledge that Overture 1812 is one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works.
Trivia:
1812 Overture is personally emotional and memorable: In celebrating 40 years of Sydney Festival: Symphony in the Domain 2016, 16th January, the finale was performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and our Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Symphony Chorus. Some of us from SPC Festival Chorus sung a special 'Happy Birthday' rendition and a small choral part of the overture itself.
Suggested Listening:
Tchaikovsky : Overture 1812 (Full, Choral) (Sure, best version ever) - Ashkenazy. Uploaded by greatclassicrecords. Accessed August 20, 2016.
Flashmob of Tchaikovsky's Overture 1812 - July 4th fireworks from Spain's Societat Musical d'Algemesi. Accessed August 20, 2018.
Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture (Full with Cannons). Youtube, uploaded by avrilfan2213. Accessed August 20, 2016.
Video Credit:
Tchaikovsky: Ouverture 1812 | Prinsengrachtconcert 2013, conducted by Antonio Pappano. Youtube, uploaded by AVROTROS Klassiek. Accessed August 20, 2016.
Mountfield, David. TCHAIKOVSKY: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840-1893. New Jersey, U.S.: Chartwell Books, Inc. (1990).
The History of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. ThoughtCo.
The History of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. ThoughtCo.
(c) August 2010. Updated August 20, 2016. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment