Composition 1812_Overture

1 composition

1.1 historical background: napoleon s invasion of russia

1.1.1 anachronism of nationalist motifs


1.2 commission
1.3 adaptation in other contexts

composition
historical background: napoleon s invasion of russia

a scene depicting french retreat russia in 1812, painting illarion pryanishnikov (1874)

on september 7, 1812, @ borodino, 120 km (75 mi) west of moscow, napoleon s forces met of general mikhail kutuzov in concerted stand made russia against seemingly invincible french army. battle of borodino saw casualties estimated high 100,000 , french masters of field. was, however, pyrrhic victory french invasion.

with resources depleted , supply lines overextended, napoleon s weakened forces moved moscow, occupied little resistance. expecting capitulation displaced tsar alexander i, french instead found in barren , desolate city, parts of retreating russian army had burned ground.

deprived of winter stores, napoleon had retreat. beginning on october 19 , lasting december, french army faced several overwhelming obstacles on long retreat: famine, typhus, frigid temperatures, harassing cossacks, , russian forces barring way out of country. abandoned napoleon in november, grande armée reduced one-tenth of original size time reached poland , relative safety.

anachronism of nationalist motifs

although la marseillaise chosen french national anthem in 1795, banned napoleon in 1805 , not have been played during russian campaign. reinstated french anthem in 1879—the year before commission of overture—which can explain use tchaikovsky in overture. however, veillons au salut de l empire served unofficial anthem of napoleon s regime had been largely forgotten 1882, while educated russians of time familiar tune of la marseillaise , recognize significance.

although god save tsar! russian national anthem in tchaikovsky s time, had not been written in 1812. there no official russian anthem until 1815, time until 1833 anthem molitva russkikh, prayer of russians, sung tune of god save king.

commission

in 1880, cathedral of christ saviour, commissioned in 1812 tsar alexander commemorate russian victory, nearing completion in moscow; 25th anniversary of coronation of alexander ii @ hand in 1881; , 1882 all-russia arts , industry exhibition @ moscow in planning stage. tchaikovsky s friend , mentor nikolai rubinstein suggested write grand commemorative piece use in related festivities. tchaikovsky began work on project on october 12, 1880, finishing 6 weeks later.

organizers planned have overture performed in square before cathedral, brass band reinforce orchestra, bells of cathedral, , others in downtown moscow playing zvons (pealing bells) on cue—and cannons, fired electric switch panel achieve precision musical score required. however, performance did not take place, possibly due in part over-ambitious plan. regardless, assassination of alexander ii march deflated of impetus project. in 1882, during all-russia arts , industry exhibition, overture performed in tent next unfinished cathedral. cathedral completed on may 26, 1883.

meanwhile, tchaikovsky complained patron nadezhda von meck ... not conductor of festival pieces, , overture ... very loud , noisy, [without] artistic merit, because wrote without warmth , without love. put in 6 weeks. work make tchaikovsky estate exceptionally wealthy, 1 of performed , recorded works catalog.

in russia during communist era, tsar s anthem melody replaced chorus glory, glory you, holy rus ! (Славься, славься, святая Русь!) finale of mikhail glinka s opéra life tsar; historical drama patriotic commoner, ivan susanin. end of soviet union, original score returned.

adaptation in other contexts

as rousing patriotic hymn, overture has subsequently been adapted , associated other contexts of russian fighting. 1812 overture popularly known in united states symbol of united states independence day, tradition dates 1974 choice made arthur fiedler performance of july 4 of boston pops.