Katey

**// The Year 1812 //**, **Festival Overture in E flat major Op. 49**
Composer: **Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky** Performers: **Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Mark Elder** Musical Time Period: **Romantic**

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 * Information on the Piece **

// "Battle of Moscow, 7th September 1812", 1822 by Louis Lejeune //

The piece was written in 1880 to commemorate the Battle of Borodino in 1812. The Overture tells the story of Napoleon's Grande Armée retreating from Russia’s defence in Moscow. It is best known for its climactic shower of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale. In the piece Tchaikovsky references the French national anthem //La Marsillaise//, to represent the French approaching//,// and Russia's //God Save the Czar// emerges during a musical chase scene.

It is said that Tchaikovsky didn't feel much enthusiasm for the work or connection to the history of the battle while he was composing it; therefore it is unlikely that Tchaikovsky would have composed the overture on his own initiative. The lucrative commission for a ceremonial overture to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Russia's victory is what sparked his interest. Tchaikovsky worked on the overture for less than a month, with his recorded work time from October 12 to November 19, 1880. In his own words, Tchaikovsky found the piece "very loud and noisy."

The overture debuted on August 20, 1882 in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, which was built there to give thanks for the Russian victory during the Napoleonic Wars. The piece was an immediate success, and it was then published as Tchaikovsky’s Op. 49 and had numerous performances throughout Russia.


 * Information on the Composer **



Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7th, 1840 in Votkinsk, in the Russian Empire to a middle-class family. His father, Ilya Petrovich Tchaikovsky, was an engineer who served as a lieutenant colonel in the Department of Minesand his mother, Alexandra Andreyevna née d'Assier, was the second of Ilya's three wives. Tchaikovsky had four brothers Nikolai, Ippolit, and twins Anatoly and Modest, and a sister, Alexandra. He also had a half-sister Zinaida from his father's first marriage.Tchaikovsky was very close to his sister Alexandra and the twins.

Tchaikovsky was educated for a career as a civil servant, despite his apparent musical gift. He pursued a musical career against the wishes of his parents, and entered the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in 1862, graduating in 1865. The formal, Western-oriented training set him apart from the contemporary nationalistic movement, which was popular in Russia during the time. Tchaikovsky had many popular successes, but his life was plagued by emotional insecurity, personal crises and periods of severe depression. It is speculated that this is due to his suppressed homosexuality and consequently fear of exposure, his terrible marriage, and the abrupt collapse of the only stable relationship of his adult life, his 13-year association with a wealth widow.

Tchaikovsky's public reputation however, was prosperous; he was honoured by the Czar, awarded a lifetime retirement fund and was glorified in concert halls around the world. His sudden death at the age of 53 is generally credited to cholera, but some attribute it to suicide; due to his unstable mental condition.


 * Analysis of the Piece **

The piece begins with melancholic cellos and violas bring forth tonal colours or blue, gray and green. It moves through a mixture of idyllic and warlike themes portraying the increasing distress of the Russian people with softer dynamics, and the invading French aggressors with strong sharp dynamics. The textures of the ascending and descending strings passages add tension throughout the piece, almost like a ball being thrown back and forth; representing power of the battle, flip-flopping between the Russian and the French. The light and airy melodies played by the violins, which fluctuates between slow and fast tempos, create images of serenity (with the slower tempos) and chaos (with the faster tempos). A descending string passage represents the retreat of the French, and causes the tension to dip. This is followed by bright victory bells, emitting tonal colours of red and yellow, as Moscow burns to deny winter quarters to the French (the Russians used the scorched earth policy to defeat the Napoleon). A musical chase scene then appears, roaring with imitated cannon shots. The overture uses leitmotif during the entire song; representing the Russian forces throughout.

The range of sounds in this piece is what attracted me to it, but I would have to say that the rich sound of the cellos and violas at the beginning of the song are what truly won me over. I love how the slower more whimsical parts relax you, then the increasing dynamics and accented notes cause tension to build up; happening multiple times throughout the piece. I believe that the Hallé Orchestra did a marvellous job playing the 1812 Overture. It is obvious when watching the YouTube video that the musicians and conductor are seasoned professionals, and are passionate for their craft.


 * Other Works by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky **
 * Swan Lake (ballet), completed 1876
 * The Sleeping Beauty (ballet), completed 1889
 * The Nutcracker (ballet), completed 1892
 * Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, completed 1888
 * Eugene Onegin (opera), completed 1878