The 1812 Overture is an orchestral work in E-flat major by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1880 in about six weeks and given its premiere on August 20, 1882, in Moscow under the conductor Ippolit Altani. Written to commemorate Russia's defense against Napoleon's invasion of 1812, the roughly fifteen-minute piece builds to a climax of cannon fire, ringing bells and a brass fanfare. Tchaikovsky himself was ambivalent about the commissioned piece, writing that he composed it without warmth and without love, yet it became one of his most popular works and, since a celebrated 1974 Boston Pops performance, a fixture of American Independence Day fireworks concerts.
Facts
Year Created MediumConcert overture for orchestra 1 Connections
Sources
1. 1812 Overture (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead paragraph, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_Overture
The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, is a concert overture in E flat major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The piece commemorates Russia's successful defence against the French invasion of the nation in 1812.
Genre reference
The 1812 Overture is an orchestral work in E-flat major by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1880 in about six weeks and given its premiere on August 20, 1882, in Moscow under the conductor Ippolit Altani.
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