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1812 Overture

Musical Compositions

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
1880 1
Medium
Concert overture for orchestra 1
Classification
Genre
Musical Composition 1
Medium
Medium (category)
Musical composition 1
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In Form

Music, Art Forms
Source 1812 Overture (Wikipedia)

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Music, Art Forms
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Sources
1. 1812 Overture (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Article text
    Tchaikovsky began work on the project on 12 October 1880, finishing it six weeks later.
  • Lead section
    The piece commemorates Russia's successful defence against the French invasion of the nation in 1812.
  • lead paragraph
    The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, is a concert overture in E♭ major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The piece commemorates Russia's successful defence again
  • In Group: Symphonies and Orchestral Works, Lead
    The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, is a concert overture in E♭ major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
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