Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
Sheet music for the 1812 overture
August 20th 1882: 1812 Overture debuts
On this day in 1882, the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ made its debut in Moscow. The piece commemorates Napoleon’s failed 1812 invasion of Russia, and the successful defense of Russian soldiers at the Battle of Borodino. It was penned as a nationalistic accompaniment to the opening of the still unfinished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was also commissioned to celebrate Russian victory in 1812. The 1812 Overture was indeed first performed in August 1882 under a tent near the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was still under construction, and was conducted by Ippolit Al’tani. The 1812 Overture is frequently played during fireworks displays, known for its bombastic use of cannon fire. However, despite its fame, Tchaikovsky himself reportedly disliked the piece, considering it excessively noisy and ‘without artistic merit’; its success was thus a source of frustration for the accomplished composer.
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