Knowra 1812 Overture 1812 Overture The 1880 orchestral work by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky commemorates Russia’s defeat of Napoleon’s invasion in 1812, using Russian and French themes and, in some performances, cannon fire.
La Marseillaise : The French national anthem, composed by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792. Tchaikovsky uses its melody to represent the advancing French forces.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky : A Russian composer of the Romantic era, known for symphonies, ballets, operas, and orchestral works. Tchaikovsky composed the overture in 1880 for a Moscow exhibition celebration.
Napoleon Bonaparte : A French military and political leader who ruled as emperor from 1804 to 1814 and again briefly in 1815. His 1812 invasion is the opposing force represented by the overture’s French themes.
Wellington's Victory : A 1813 orchestral battle piece by Ludwig van Beethoven commemorating the British victory at Vitoria. Beethoven’s work offers an earlier, more literal orchestral depiction of a Napoleonic-era victory.
Boston Pops Orchestra : An American orchestra specializing in lighter classical and popular music, founded in Boston in 1885. Its performances helped popularize the overture as a crowd-pleasing concert finale.
God Save the Tsar! : The Russian imperial anthem used from 1833 until the monarchy fell in 1917. Its melody supplies the Russian imperial theme in the overture’s climactic resolution.
Nikolai Rubinstein : A Russian pianist, conductor, and founder of the Moscow Conservatory. Rubinstein requested the work for festivities marking the completion of Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Anton Rubinstein : A Russian pianist, composer, and conductor who founded the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He conducted the overture’s 1882 premiere at the All-Russian Arts and Industry Exhibition.
The Year 1812, Solemn Overture : The full title of Tchaikovsky’s work commemorating Russia’s defense against Napoleon in 1812. The expanded title distinguishes the piece from other works associated with the year 1812.
Fourth of July : A United States federal holiday marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The overture became associated with American Independence Day concerts despite its Russian subject.
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