Here's something you might be interested in.
The 1812 Overture might be the most popular piece of classical music ever written. It was once my favorite piece of music--when I was nine-years-old. I have shared before that this piece of music was what got me started on exploring classical music and that my family was not into classical music.
I'm revisiting 1812 as part of what is becoming a series of posts on the appeal of classical music.
The overture was composed to be part of the festivities surrounding the completion of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The cathedral had been commissioned by Tsar Alexander II to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon. Well and good.
At the same time, Tchaikovsky was composing his String Serenade. He is on record saying that his heart wasn't into composing the overture and that of the two, the serenade would be the piece with lasting value.
He was right. The String Serenade is a masterpiece and the 1812 Overture is used to accompany fireworks.
The 1812 Overture doesn't have that much original music in it. It is, in modern terms, a "mash-up" of Russian Hymns, Russian folk tunes, and the French and Russian national anthems.
Interestingly, Russia had no national anthem in 1812 and Napoleon had banned La Marseillaise. Both are prevalent in the 1812 Overture. Tchaikovsky appears to have been immune to anachronisms and just went with the music which represented France and Russia in his day--70 years after Napoleon's invasion.
It doesn't matter that Tchaikovsky wasn't historically accurate with his themes. He was writing what he considered to be consumer music for a few specific events for the general population.
The 1812 Overture captured the public's imagination and has eclipsed every other piece of music he wrote, so far as popular appeal goes. Romeo's theme from the Romeo and Juliet Overture along with parts of The Nutcracker come close.
As I'm no longer nine-years-old, the 1812 Overture is something I never listen to. Why would I? Of all the music Tchaikovsky wrote--that is consistently performed--the 1812 is by far the most pedantic.
The String Serenade, a polished jewel of a piece, goes relatively unknown.
Within classical music itself, there are layers of appeal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsGRglp6tvs
The 1812 Overture might be the most popular piece of classical music ever written. It was once my favorite piece of music--when I was nine-years-old. I have shared before that this piece of music was what got me started on exploring classical music and that my family was not into classical music.
I'm revisiting 1812 as part of what is becoming a series of posts on the appeal of classical music.
The overture was composed to be part of the festivities surrounding the completion of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The cathedral had been commissioned by Tsar Alexander II to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon. Well and good.
At the same time, Tchaikovsky was composing his String Serenade. He is on record saying that his heart wasn't into composing the overture and that of the two, the serenade would be the piece with lasting value.
He was right. The String Serenade is a masterpiece and the 1812 Overture is used to accompany fireworks.
The 1812 Overture doesn't have that much original music in it. It is, in modern terms, a "mash-up" of Russian Hymns, Russian folk tunes, and the French and Russian national anthems.
Interestingly, Russia had no national anthem in 1812 and Napoleon had banned La Marseillaise. Both are prevalent in the 1812 Overture. Tchaikovsky appears to have been immune to anachronisms and just went with the music which represented France and Russia in his day--70 years after Napoleon's invasion.
It doesn't matter that Tchaikovsky wasn't historically accurate with his themes. He was writing what he considered to be consumer music for a few specific events for the general population.
The 1812 Overture captured the public's imagination and has eclipsed every other piece of music he wrote, so far as popular appeal goes. Romeo's theme from the Romeo and Juliet Overture along with parts of The Nutcracker come close.
As I'm no longer nine-years-old, the 1812 Overture is something I never listen to. Why would I? Of all the music Tchaikovsky wrote--that is consistently performed--the 1812 is by far the most pedantic.
The String Serenade, a polished jewel of a piece, goes relatively unknown.
Within classical music itself, there are layers of appeal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsGRglp6tvs