1812 Overture
1880 concert overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture,[1] is a concert overture in E♭ major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The piece commemorates Russia's successful defense against the French invasion of the country by Napoleon in 1812.
1812 Overture | |
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Concert overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | |
Key | E♭ major |
Opus | 49 |
Occasion | Commemoration of the 1812 Russian defense against Napoleon's invading Grande Armée |
Composed | 1880 (1880) |
Premiere | |
Date | 20 August 1882 (1882-08-20) |
Location | Moscow |
Conductor | Ippolit Al'tani |
The overture debuted in Moscow on 20 August [O.S. 8 August] 1882,[2] conducted by Ippolit Al'tani under a tent near the then-almost-finished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which also memorialised the 1812 defense of Russia.[3]
The fifteen-minute overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and a brass fanfare finale. It has also become a common accompaniment to fireworks displays on the United States' Independence Day.[4] The 1812 Overture went on to become one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works, along with his ballet scores to The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.[5]