View source for 1812 Overture

{{Short description|1880 concert overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky}}
{{redirect|The Year 1812|the leap year|1812}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{infobox musical composition
| name              = 1812 Overture
| type              = [[Concert overture]]
| composer          = [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]
| image             = 1812 overture.jpg
| image_upright     = 1.2
| caption           = A performance, with [[cannon]] fire, at the 2005 Classical Spectacular in [[Melbourne]], Australia
| key               = [[E-flat major|E{{music|flat}} major]]
| opus              = 49
| composed          = {{Start date|1880}}
| occasion          = Commemoration of the 1812 Russian defense against [[Napoleon]]'s invading {{lang|fr|[[Grande Armée]]}}
| premiere_date     = {{start date|1882|08|20|df=y}}
| premiere_location = Moscow
| premiere_conductor = [[Ippolit Al'tani]]
}}

'''''The Year 1812, Solemn Overture''''', Op. 49, popularly known as the '''''1812 Overture''''',<ref>{{cite web|title=Tchaikovsky Research: The Year 1812, Op. 49 (TH 49)|url=http://en.tchaikovsky-research.net/pages/The_Year_1812|access-date=21 June 2015|archive-date=26 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326181114/http://en.tchaikovsky-research.net/pages/The_Year_1812|url-status=live}}</ref> is a [[concert overture]] in [[E-flat major|E{{music|flat}} major]] written in 1880 by Russian composer [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]. The piece commemorates Russia's successful defence against the [[French invasion of Russia|French invasion]] of the nation in 1812.

The overture's first public performance, conducted by [[Ippolit Al'tani]], took place in Moscow on {{OldStyleDate|20 August|1882|8 August}},<ref>{{cite book |title=The Great Song Thesaurus |last1=Lax |first1=Roger |first2=Frederick |last2=Smith |year=1989 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-505408-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/greatsongthesaur00laxr/page/230 230] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/greatsongthesaur00laxr/page/230 }}</ref> under a tent, near the still unfinished [[Cathedral of Christ the Saviour]], which also memorialised the 1812 defence of Russia.<ref name="Tchaikovsky: A Listener's Guide">Felsenfeld, Daniel. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=dyrU7NkVZFIC&pg=PA54 Tchaikovsky: A Listener's Guide]'', p. 54. Amadeus Press, 2006.</ref>

The fifteen-minute overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and a brass fanfare finale. It has also become a common accompaniment to fireworks displays on the United States' [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]].<ref name="NYT-20220703">{{cite news |last=Hernández |first=Javier C. |title=Amid Ukraine War, Orchestras Rethink '1812 Overture,' a July 4 Rite – Some ensembles have decided not to perform Tchaikovsky's overture, written as commemoration of Russia's defeat of Napoleon's army. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/03/arts/music/1812-overture-russia-ukraine.html |date=3 July 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704100753/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/03/arts/music/1812-overture-russia-ukraine.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''1812 Overture'' went on to become one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works, along with his ballet scores to ''[[The Nutcracker]]'', ''[[The Sleeping Beauty (ballet)|The Sleeping Beauty]]'', and ''[[Swan Lake]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Cambridge Companion to Modern Russian Culture|author=Robinson, Harlow|editor= Rzhevsky, Nicholas|publisher = Cambridge University Press|year=2012|isbn=978-1-107-00252-4|pages=268}}</ref>

==Instrumentation==
The ''1812 Overture'' is scored for an orchestra that consists of the following:<ref name="googlebook">{{cite book|last=Tchaikovsky|first=Piotr Ilyich|title=1812 overture: Marche slave, and ; Francesca da Rimini|publisher=Courier Dover Publications|year=1996|isbn=0-486-29069-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wOgpn-Oqr84C&q=1812+overture|access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref>
* [[Brass band]]: "Open" instrumentation consisting of "any extra brass instruments" available. In some indoor performances, the part may be played on an [[pipe organ|organ]]. [[Military band|Military]] or [[marching band]]s also play this part. Note: the brass band or its substitute is meant to play during the finale only.
* [[Woodwind instrument|Woodwinds]]: 1 [[piccolo]], 2 [[Western concert flute|flute]]s, 2 [[oboe]]s, 1 [[cor anglais]], 2 [[clarinet]]s in B{{music|flat}} and 2 [[bassoon]]s
* [[Brass instrument|Brass]]: 4 [[French horn|horn]]s in F, 2 [[cornet]]s in B{{music|flat}}, 2 [[trumpet]]s in E{{music|flat}}, 3 [[trombone]]s (2 [[tenor trombone|tenor]], 1 [[bass trombone|bass]]) and 1 [[tuba]]
* [[Percussion instrument|Percussion]]: [[timpani]], [[orchestral bass drum]], [[snare drum]], [[cymbal]]s, [[tambourine]], [[triangle (musical instrument)|triangle]], [[carillon]]
* [[String section|String]]s: [[violin]]s I & II, [[viola]]s, [[cello]]s and [[double bass]]es.
* [[Artillery]]: One battery of [[cannon|cannons]] or ceremonial field artillery.

The carillon is sometimes replaced with [[tubular bells]] or recordings of carillons, or even church bells. In the sections that contain cannon shots, actual cannons are sometimes replaced by [[Howitzer|howitzers]], tanks, fireworks, recorded cannons, or played on a piece of staging, usually with a large wooden mallet or sledgehammer as used in [[Gustav Mahler|Mahler's]] [[Symphony No. 6 (Mahler)|6th Symphony]]. The bass drum, and [[gong]]/[[tam-tam]] are also regularly used as cannon substitutes or adjuncts in indoor performances.

In his 1966 [[Deutsche Grammophon]] recording, [[Herbert von Karajan]] scored the first 02'43" (or 36 bars) for voices instead of strings at the start and the subsequent dialogue between strings and woodwind, adding the [[Russian Orthodox]] plainchant ''God Preserve Thy People'' text to the melody and slightly rearranging the texture to suit voices ''[[A cappella|a capella]]'' rather than instruments. Two years later, the American conductor [[Igor Buketoff]], son of a Russian Orthodox priest, went a stage further on his [[RCA Victrola ]]recording with the [[Philharmonia Orchestra|New Philharmonia Orchestra]]. Not only did he deploy voices for the opening chant but he also had a children's chorus sing the folk tune "By the Gates" and brought the choir back to bolster the chant and the Russian Imperial national anthem ''[[God Save the Tsar!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/tchaikovsky-s-1812-overture-the-complete-guide|title=Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture: the complete guide by Geoffrey Norris|website=Gramophone|access-date=26 December 2020|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212213023/https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/tchaikovsky-s-1812-overture-the-complete-guide|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Composition==

===Historical background: Napoleon's invasion of Russia===
[[File:Russia 3577 - 1812 (4166101638).jpg|thumb|A scene depicting the French retreat from Russia in 1812, painting by [[Illarion Pryanishnikov]] (1874)]]
{{main|French invasion of Russia}}

On 7 September 1812, at [[Borodino (village), Mozhaysky District, Moscow Oblast|Borodino]], {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Moscow, [[Napoleon]]'s forces met those of General [[Mikhail Kutuzov]] in a concerted stand made by Russia against the seemingly invincible French Army. The [[Battle of Borodino]] saw casualties estimated as high as 100,000 and the French were masters of the field. It was, however, ultimately a [[pyrrhic victory]] for the French invasion.<ref name="britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/74349/Battle-of-Borodino |title=Battle of Borodino |year=2010 |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=6 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100121052116/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/74349/Battle-of-Borodino |archive-date= 21 January 2010}}</ref>

With resources depleted and supply lines overextended, Napoleon's weakened forces moved into Moscow, which they occupied with no delegation to receive the conquerors. Expecting a capitulation from [[Alexander I of Russia|Tsar Alexander I]], the French instead found themselves in a barren and desolate city. To make things worse, 48 hours after Napoleon's entry to the Russian city on 14 September 1812, three quarters of [[Fire of Moscow (1812)|Moscow was burned to the ground.]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Riehn|first=Richard|title=1812: Napoleon's Russian campaign|publisher=McGraw-Hill|year=1990|isbn=978-0070527317|location=New York|pages=285}}</ref>

Deprived of winter stores, Napoleon had to retreat. Beginning on 19 October and lasting well into December, the French Army faced several overwhelming obstacles on its long retreat: [[famine]], [[typhus]], freezing temperatures, harassing [[cossacks]], and Russian forces barring the way out of the country. Abandoned by Napoleon in November, the {{lang|fr|Grande Armée}} was reduced to one-tenth of its original size by the time it reached [[Duchy of Warsaw|Poland]] and relative safety.<ref name=zamoyskibook>{{cite book |title=Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March |last=Zamoyski |first=Adam |year=2004 |publisher=Harper Collins |location=London |isbn=0-00-712375-2 |title-link=Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March}}</ref>

In 1869, the full edition of ''[[War and Peace]]'' by [[Leo Tolstoy]] was published. The novel reported a very accurate description of the Napoleonic invasion of 1812, reviving memories of the Russian resistance. This led to the commissioning of new monuments, paintings and also of new musical compositions, including Tchaikovsky's.

===Commission===
The [[Cathedral of Christ the Saviour]], commissioned in 1812 by [[Alexander I of Russia|Tsar Alexander I]] to commemorate the Russian victory, was nearing completion in Moscow in 1880; the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Alexander II would be at hand in 1881; and the 1882 All-Russia Arts and Industry Exhibition at Moscow was in the planning stage. Tchaikovsky's friend and mentor [[Nikolai Rubinstein]] suggested that he write a grand commemorative piece for use in related festivities. Tchaikovsky began work on the project on 12 October 1880, finishing it six weeks later.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Russell|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zsNTDwAAQBAJ&dq=%2212+October+1880%22+1812&pg=PT116|title=Delphi Masterworks of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Illustrated)|publisher=Delphi Classics|year=2018|isbn=978-1-78656-123-7|language=en}}</ref>

Organizers planned to have the overture performed in the square before the cathedral, with a brass band to reinforce the orchestra, the bells of the cathedral, and all the others in downtown Moscow playing "[[Russian Orthodox bell ringing#Technique of ringing|zvons]]" (pealing bells) on cue{{snd}}and cannons, fired from an electric switch panel to achieve the precision the musical score required. However, this performance did not take place, possibly due in part to the over-ambitious plan. Regardless, the [[Alexander II of Russia#Assassination|assassination of Alexander II]] that March deflated much of the impetus for the project. In 1882, during the All-Russia Arts and Industry Exhibition, the Overture was performed in a tent next to the unfinished cathedral.<ref name="Tchaikovsky: A Listener's Guide"/> The cathedral was completed on 26 May 1883.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.xxc.ru/english/history/index.htm |title=Cathedral of Christ the Saviour: History |access-date=26 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515162509/http://www.xxc.ru/english/history/index.htm |archive-date=15 May 2011 }}</ref>

Meanwhile, Tchaikovsky complained to his patron [[Nadezhda von Meck]] that he was "...&nbsp;not a conductor of festival pieces," and that the ''Overture'' would be "...&nbsp;very loud and noisy, but [without] artistic merit, because I wrote it without warmth and without love." He put it together in six weeks. It is this work that would make the Tchaikovsky estate exceptionally wealthy, as it is one of the most performed and recorded works from his catalog.<ref name=cathedralsite>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxc.ru/english/index.htm|title=Official website of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour|work=Cathedral of Christ the Saviour|access-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401020922/http://www.xxc.ru/english/index.htm|archive-date=1 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=russianallegory>{{cite web|url=http://www.byzantines.net/epiphany/christsavior.htm|title=Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow: A Russian Allegory|access-date=10 January 2010|archive-date=29 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229182612/http://www.byzantines.net/epiphany/christsavior.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=churhcesaroundtheworld>{{cite web|url=http://churchesaroundtheworld.com/tag/churches/churches-in-russia/moscow/|title=Churches Around the World Archive|access-date=10 January 2010|archive-date=4 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204151711/http://churchesaroundtheworld.com/tag/churches/churches-in-russia/moscow/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In Russia, during the [[Soviet era]], the imperial anthem was replaced with the chorus "[[Slavsya|Glory, Glory to you, holy Rus'!]]" (''Славься, славься, святая Русь!''), which came from the finale of [[Mikhail Glinka]]'s opéra ''[[A Life for the Tsar|Ivan Susanin]]'', a historical drama about a patriotic commoner of [[Ivan Susanin|the same name]]. The original version of the song, written by [[Vasily Zhukovsky]] and [[Egor Fyodorovich Rozen]], praised the Tsar and the [[Russian Tsardom]], while the latter version by [[Sergey Gorodetsky]] was one of a patriotic form and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial anthem of Russia in the 20th century and even today. With the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] at the end of the [[Cold War]], the original score returned.<ref>[http://www.hymn.ru/god-save-in-tchaikovsky/index-en.html Russian national anthem "God Save the Tsar" in Tchaikovsky's music] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710215953/http://www.hymn.ru/god-save-in-tchaikovsky/index-en.html |date=10 July 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Norris |first=Geoffrey |date=1 May 2018 |title=Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture: the complete guide |url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/tchaikovsky-s-1812-overture-the-complete-guide |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Gramophone |language=en |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212213023/https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/tchaikovsky-s-1812-overture-the-complete-guide |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Adaptation in other contexts===
As a rousing patriotic hymn, the Overture has subsequently been adapted into and associated with other contexts than that of the Russian resistance to Napoleon's invasion. The ''1812 Overture'' is popularly known<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/ae/20030704overtureae3.asp|title=How a rousing Russian tune took over our July 4th|access-date=4 July 2015|first=Andrew|last=Druckenbrod|work=Post-Gazette|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129194321/http://old.post-gazette.com/ae/20030704overtureae3.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> in the United States as a symbol of the [[Independence Day (United States)|United States Independence Day]], a tradition that dates back to a 1974 choice made by [[Arthur Fiedler]] for a performance at the [[Boston Pops]] July 4th concert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/How-did-the-1812-Overture-become-a-Fourth-3674377.php|title=How did the '1812 Overture,' become a Fourth tradition?|first=Everett|last=Evans|publisher=
Hearst Newspapers|date=29 June 2012|access-date=4 July 2015|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129194318/https://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/How-did-the-1812-Overture-become-a-Fourth-3674377.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://christandpopculture.com/the-1812-overture-is-a-story-of-gods-sovereignty-over-human-history/|title=Independence Day Staple, the "1812 Overture" is a Story of God's Sovereignty Over Human History|publisher=Christ and Pop Culture|access-date=4 July 2015|first=Matthew|last=Linder|archive-date=19 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319143539/https://christandpopculture.com/the-1812-overture-is-a-story-of-gods-sovereignty-over-human-history/|url-status=live}}</ref> An earlier outdoors July presentation in the U.S. was by the [[National Symphony Orchestra]], led by [[Howard Mitchell]], on 7 July 1950--incorporation eight 75mm Howitzers.<ref>"Background for '1812 Overture'" (UP Story). The Columbus (NE) Daily Telegram, 7 July 1950, 8.</ref> According to the NSO's management, the performance celebrated the sesquicentennial of the relocation of America's capital from Philadelphia to Washington, DC.<ref>"Fort Myer Cannon Give Realistic Air to National Symphony 'Overture, 1812'." Danville (IL) Advocate-Messenger, 13 July 1950, 9.</ref>

The piece was parodied by composer [[Malcolm Arnold]] in ''A Grand, Grand Overture'' which features four rifles, three [[The Hoover Company|Hoover]] vacuum cleaners (two uprights in B♭ and one horizontal with detachable sucker in C), and an electric floor polisher in E♭; it is dedicated to [[Herbert Hoover|President Hoover]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corymbus.co.uk/malcolm-arnold-a-life-in-symphonies/|title=Malcolm Arnold – A Life in Symphonies|date=23 September 2016|access-date=5 October 2019|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129200105/https://corymbus.co.uk/malcolm-arnold-a-life-in-symphonies/|url-status=live}}</ref> The piece was also parodied by [[P. D. Q. Bach]] for the 1989 musical album ''[[1712 Overture and Other Musical Assaults]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/pdq-bach-1712-overture-other-musical-assaults-mw0000155880 |publisher=ALLMUSIC, NETAKTION LLC |website=allmusic.com |title=Overview: P.D.Q. Bach: 1712 Overture & Other Musical Assaults |date=13 June 1989 |access-date=26 August 2024 |archive-date=25 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825183806/https://www.allmusic.com/album/pdq-bach-1712-overture-other-musical-assaults-mw0000155880 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Structure==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|<score audio="1">
\relative c' {
\key ges \major \time 4/4
bes''8-. \p bes16( ces bes8-.) as( ges) ges-. as( es)
ges-. ges-. es4-> ges8( f16 ges as8-.) es-.
bes'4->( es,8) es-. es( ges) f-. es-.
bes'4->(\< es,8) es-. es( ges) f-. es-.\!
bes'-.(_\markup{\italic{poco più}\dynamic f} bes-. bes-. bes-.) bes-> des16( bes as8-.) f(
ges) ges-. es4-> ges8( f16 ges as8-.) es-.
bes'4->( es,8) es-. es( ges) f-. es-.
bes'4->( es,8) es-. es16(\> f) ges-. ges-. f( es) des-. ces-.\!
}
</score>
|-
|U Vorot, Vorot is a folk song brought up in the piece representing the Russian people
|}

The piece begins with the simple, plaintive Russian melody of the [[Eastern Orthodox]] ''[[Troparion]] of the Holy Cross'' (also known as "O Lord, Save Thy People") played by four cellos and two violas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://orthodoxwoman.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/lord-save-thy-people-and-the-1812-overture/|title=Lord Save Thy People and the 1812 Overture|date=14 September 2012|work=orthodoxwoman|access-date=18 June 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312100127/https://orthodoxwoman.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/lord-save-thy-people-and-the-1812-overture/|url-status=live}}</ref> This represents the Russian people praying for the victory. Then, the French national anthem, "[[La Marseillaise]]", is heard, representing the invading French army.<ref> During Napoleon's reign, the Marseillaise was not the national anthem of France as it had been banned by the emperor, but audiences were more familiar with La Marseillaise, so that is what Tchaikovsky used in his piece.</ref> Then, the melody of "La Marseillaise" is heard competing against Russian folk music, representing the two armies fighting each other as the French approached Moscow. At this point, five cannon shots are heard, representing the [[Battle of Borodino]]. This is where "La Marseillaise" is most prominent, and seems to be winning. After this, a long descending run represents the French army retreating out of Moscow as the freezing winter winds rage on. At the end of this run the opening motif is repeated, which can be interpreted as prayers being answered. The grand finale culminates with eleven more cannon shots and the melody of "[[God Save the Tsar!]]".<ref name="Green2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/tchaikovskys-1812-overture-724401|title=The History of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture|last1=Green|first1=Aaron|date=30 January 2018|website=ThoughtCo|access-date=13 April 2018|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417042006/https://www.thoughtco.com/tchaikovskys-1812-overture-724401|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Anachronism of nationalist motifs===
Although [[La Marseillaise]] was chosen as the French national anthem in 1795, it was banned by Napoleon in 1805 and would certainly not have been played during the Russian campaign. It was only reinstated as the French anthem in 1879{{snd}}the year before the commission of the overture{{snd}}which can explain its use by Tchaikovsky in the overture.<ref>Ross, Stewart (2002). ''The French Revolution Events and outcomes''. Evans Brothers, p. 69. {{ISBN|0-237-52292-6}}.</ref> "[[Chant du départ]]", nicknamed "the brother of the Marseillaise" by [[First French Republic|French Republican]] soldiers, served as the official anthem of [[First French Empire|Napoleon's regime]]. However, it had been largely forgotten by 1882, while educated Russians of the time were likely to be familiar with the tune of "La Marseillaise" and recognize its significance.{{Original research inline|date=September 2018}}

Although "[[God Save the Tsar!]]" was the [[National anthem of Russia|Russian national anthem]] during Tchaikovsky's lifetime, it did not exist in 1812. There was no official Russian anthem until 1815, from which time until 1833 the anthem was "[[The Prayer of Russians]]" ({{lang|ru-Latn|Molitva russkikh}}), sung to the tune of "[[God Save the King]]".<ref name=anthem>{{cite book |last= Bohlman |first= Philip Vilas |title= The Music of European Nationalism: Cultural Identity and Modern History |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year= 2004 |page= 157 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fkQf7k2OaDcC&q=Russian+anthem&pg=PT190|isbn= 978-1-85109-363-2 |access-date= 13 September 2011}}</ref> The two songs both start with the same words, God Save the Tsar!, but diverge after that.

===Themes===
<score audio="1">
{
\clef bass \key c \minor \time 3/4
\set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t
\tempo 4 = 60
r4 r4 \clef tenor <bes es'>8-.( <bes es'>-.) \mf
<d' f'>4(\< <es' g'>)\! <bes es'>8-.( <bes es'>-.)
<d' f'>8(\< <es' g'>) <es' as'>-.( <es' as'>-.) <es' as'>4\!~
<es' as'>2.\>
<es' g'>8-.( \mf <es' g'>-. <es' g'>-. <es' g'>-.) <es' g'>4~
<es' g'>\< <es' g'> <es' g'>
<d' f'>4.\f <d' f'>8-.( <d' f'>8-. <d' f'>8-.)
<es' g'>2 <c' es'>4 \mf
<d' f'>(\< <es' g'>) <bes es'>\!
<d' f'>8\<( <es' g'>) <es' as'>-.( <es' as'>-. <es' as'>-. <es' as'>-.\!)
<es' as'>-.(_\markup{\italic{cresc.}} <es' as'>-. <es' as'>-. <es' as'>-.\!) <es' as'>-.( <es' as'>-.
<es' as'>-. <es' as'>-.\!) <es' as'> <es' g'> <es' as'>4~
<es' as'>2.
}
</score>

''O Lord, Save thy People'' represents the praying for deliverance from the invading army. A part of this hymn translates to "Grant victory to all Orthodox Christians over their enemies."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Micholic|first1=Peter |title=Aftershocks of 1812: Nationalism and Censorship in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture|url=https://pages.stolaf.edu/music242-spring2014/portfolio/aftershocks-of-1812-nationalism-and-censorship-in-tchaikovskys-1812-overture/ |website=Adventures in Music History and Literature at St. Olaf|date=13 May 2014|access-date=12 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228053959/https://pages.stolaf.edu/music242-spring2014/portfolio/aftershocks-of-1812-nationalism-and-censorship-in-tchaikovskys-1812-overture/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Russian Orthodox church Outside of Russia |url=https://www.synod.com/synod/engdocuments/enart_venerationofcross.html |access-date=August 28, 2022}}</ref> By including this hymn in the piece, Tchaikovsky is suggesting that God granted the [[Russian Orthodoxy|Orthodox Russians]] victory over the French imperial troops. Later in the piece when ''[[La Marseillaise]]'' is played, it seems as though the Russians will lose the battle. Then ''O Lord, Save thy People'', along with ''[[God Save the Tsar!]]'', is played powerfully in the brass section with a strong display of chimes in the background. The ringing chimes are written to represent the bells of Moscow.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Starmer|first1=W. W.|title=The Great Bell of Moscow|journal=The Musical Times|date=1 October 1916|volume=57|issue=884|pages=441–442 |doi=10.2307/910209|jstor=910209}}</ref> The Bells of Moscow hold significance, because in the Russian Orthodox religion, the bells symbolize the voice of God.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Batuman|first1=Elif|title=The Bells|magazine=The New Yorker|pages=22–29|date=27 April 2009|volume=85|issue=11|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/04/27/the-bells-6}}</ref>

== Lyrics ==
In the introduction, the prayer Tropar Krestu (Troparion to the Cross) is used. There are four versions of this prayer used in the introduction.

;First version
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Russian
!Transliteration
|-
|<poem>Спаси, Господи, люди Твоя,
И благослови достояние Твоё.
Победы борющимся за веру правую и за святую Русь,
На сопротивныя даруя.
И Твоё сохраняя,
Крестом Твоим жительство.</poem>

|<poem>Spasi, Gospodi, liudi Tvoya,
I blagoslovi dostoyaniye Tvoyo.
Pobedy boriushchimsia za veru pravuyu i za sviatuyu Rus',
Na soprotivnyya daruya.
I Tvoyo sokhraniaya,
Krestom Tvoim zhitelstvo.</poem>
|-
|}

;Second version
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Russian
!Transliteration
|-
|<poem>Спаси, Господи, люди Твоя,
И благослови достояние Твоё.
Победы Христолюбивому воинству и Богохранимей державе,
На сопротивныя даруя.
И Твоё сохраняя,
Крестом Твоим жительство.</poem>

|<poem>Spasi, Gospodi, liudi Tvoya,
I blagoslovi dostoyanye Tvoyo.
Pobedy Khristoliubivomu voinstvu i Bogokhranimey derzhave,
Na soprotivnyya daruya.
I Tvoyo sokhraniaya,
Krestom Tvoim zhitelstvo.</poem>
|-
|}

;Third version
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Russian
!Transliteration
|-
|<poem>Спаси, Господи, люди Твоя,
И благослови достояние Твоё.
Победы благоверному Императору нашему Николаю Александровичу,
На сопротивныя даруя.
И Твоё сохраняя,
Крестом Твоим жительство.</poem>
|<poem>Spasi, Gospodi, liudi Tvoya,
I blagoslovi dostoyanie Tvoyo.
Pobedy blagovernomu Imperatoru nashemu Nikolayu Aleksandrovichu,
Na soprotivnyya daruya.
I Tvoyo sokhraniaya,
Krestom Tvoim zhitelstvo.</poem>
|-
|}

;Fourth version
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Russian
!Transliteration
|-
|<poem>Спаси, Господи, люди Твоя,
И благослови достояние Твоё.
Спаси, Господи, люди Твоя, и благослови достояние Твоё,
На сопротивныя даруя.
И Твое сохраняя,
Крестом Твоим жительство.</poem>

|<poem>Spasi, Gospodi, liudi Tvoya,
I blagoslovi dostoyanie Tvoyo.
Spasi, Gospodi, liudi Tvoya, i blagoslovi dostoyanye Tvoyo,
Na soprotivnyya daruya.
I Tvoe sokhraniaya,
Krestom Tvoim zhitelstvo.</poem>
|-
|}

==Performance practice==
In a live performance, the logistics of safety and precision in placement of the shots require either well-drilled military crews using modern [[Cannon|cannons]], or the use of sixteen pieces of muzzle-loading artillery, since any reloading schemes, to attain the sixteen shots, or even a semblance of them, in the two-minute time span involved, makes safety and precision impossible with 1800s artillery. Time lag alone precludes implementation of cues for the shots for fewer than sixteen 1812-era field pieces.<ref name="guidetoorchestralmusic">{{cite book|last=Mordden|first=Ethan|title=A guide to orchestral music: the handbook for non-musicians |publisher=Oxford University Press US|year=1986|edition=Reprint, illustrated|isbn=978-0-19-504041-8}}</ref>

==Recording history==
{{listen|type=music
| filename    = Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - 1812 overture.ogg
| title       = 1812 Overture
| description = Performed by the [[Skidmore College]] Orchestra
| format      = [[ogg]]
}}
The earliest traceable orchestral recording, which does not include the shots and features no percussion apart from bells, was by the [[Royal Albert Hall]] Orchestra conducted by [[Landon Ronald]], and issued by [[His Master's Voice (British record label)|His Master's Voice]] on three 12-inch 78-rpm sides in 1916.<ref>[http://damians78s.co.uk/html/landon_ronald.html "Landon Ronald" at damians78s.co.uk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105142738/http://damians78s.co.uk/html/landon_ronald.html |date=5 November 2012 }}</ref> A [[Royal Opera, London|Royal Opera]] Orchestra recording of about the same time similarly contains no shots at all.<ref name="outlook145">{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sOsPAAAAIAAJ|title=New Outlook – Volume 145|last=Smith|first=Alfred Emanuel|year=1927|publisher=Outlook Publishing Company, Inc.|pages=24|access-date=17 January 2010}}</ref>

[[Antal Doráti]]'s 1954 [[Mercury Records]] recording with the [[Minnesota Orchestra|Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra]], partially recorded at [[West Point]], and using the [[Yale Memorial Carillon]] in [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]], Connecticut, uses a Napoleonic French single [[Muzzleloader|muzzleloading]] cannon shot dubbed in 16 times as written. On the first edition of the recording, one side played the ''Overture'' and the other side played a narrative by [[Deems Taylor]] about how the cannon and bell effects were accomplished. (Later editions placed the commentary after the performance on side 1 and the ''[[Capriccio Italien]]'' on side 2.) A stereophonic version was recorded on 5 April 1958, using the bells of the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon, at [[Riverside Church]]. On this Mercury Living Presence Stereo recording, the spoken commentary was also given by Deems Taylor and the 1812 was coupled with Tchaikovsky's ''[[Capriccio Italien]]''. Later editions coupled the ''1812 Overture'' with Dorati's recording of [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s ''[[Wellington's Victory]]'', which featured the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] and real cannon.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/arts/music/25fine.html|title=Wilma Cozart Fine, Classical Music Record Producer, Dies at 82|last=Kozinn|first=Allan|date=24 September 2009|work=The New York Times|access-date=17 January 2010|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617120802/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/arts/music/25fine.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Black Dyke Band]] has recorded a brass band arrangement of the piece. This recording on their album ''Symphonic Brass'' includes the cannon shots as originally written.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.570726 |title=Symphonic Brass |work=Naxos.com |access-date=19 August 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201012136/https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.570726 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra]] conducted by [[Herbert Von Karajan]], and the [[Don Cossack Choir|Don Cossacks Choir]] recorded the piece in 1967 for [[Deutsche Grammophon]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Peter-Tchaikovsky-Don-Cossack-Choir-Serge-Jaroff-Berlin-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Herbert-von-Karajan-O/master/107645|title=Peter Tchaikovsky*, Don Cossack Choir Serge Jaroff*, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra*, Herbert von Karajan – Overture 1812 • Marche Slave • Romeo And Juliet|date=1967 |publisher=discogs|language=en|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125061835/https://www.discogs.com/Peter-Tchaikovsky-Don-Cossack-Choir-Serge-Jaroff-Berlin-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Herbert-von-Karajan-O/master/107645|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1971, [[CBS]] released a recording<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/es/Eugene-Ormandy-Philadelphia-Orchestra-Mormon-Tabernacle-Choir-Valley-Forge-Military-Academy-Band-Tch/release/4708762|title=Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra*, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Valley Forge Military Academy Band – Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture|date=1971 |publisher=discogs|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-date=19 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319144746/https://www.discogs.com/es/Eugene-Ormandy-Philadelphia-Orchestra-Mormon-Tabernacle-Choir-Valley-Forge-Military-Academy-Band-Tch/release/4708762|url-status=live}}</ref> with the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] conducted by [[Eugene Ormandy]], also featuring the [[Tabernacle Choir|Mormon Tabernacle Choir]], the [[Valley Forge Military Academy|Valley Forge Military Academy band]] and real artillery shots. British rock drummer [[Cozy Powell]] sampled the overture at the end of the track "Over The Top" in his eponymous [[Over the Top (Cozy Powell album)|1979 studio album]].

The first digital recording occurred in 1979 by [[Telarc]] with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra headlining under the leadership of Erich Kunzel. The Kiev Symphony Chorus was secured and brought stateside for the express purpose of this recording, while the Children's Choir of Greater Cincinnati (presently doing business as the Cincinnati Youth Choir), a regular Symphony and Pops collaborator to this day, supplied the children's voices. The recording features the tones of the Emery Memorial Carillon (in adjacent [[Mariemont, Ohio]]) to a uniquely magnificent effect alongside high-definition cannon shots using full-sized 19th century military cannons, also specially recorded locally. In addition to becoming Telarc's best-selling record and helping to establish them as a company, the record soon became a popular and well-known method for testing hifi record-playing equipment and related setups. Only the best and most fine-tuned allowed the cannon shots to be played properly (an accompanying warning for users not to destroy their audio equipment was included with the record).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJYYrEOePU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/fwJYYrEOePU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Bob Woods on Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and the History of Telarc|via=YouTube|first=Robert|last=Woods|date=5 October 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereophile.com/content/recording-october-1979-telarc-1812-overture|title=Recording of October 1979: The Telarc 1812 Overture|website=Stereophile|author=Margaret Graham, J. Gordon Holt|date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029232004/https://www.stereophile.com/content/recording-october-1979-telarc-1812-overture|archive-date=29 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vinylgourmet.com/en/music/1540-tchaikovsky-1812-overture-lp-180g-vinyl-cincinnati-symphony-orchestra-erich-kunzel-telarc-records-usa.html|title=Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture LP 180g Vinyl Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Erich Kunzel Telarc Records USA|website=Vinylgourmet|author=Erich Kunzel, (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conductor)|access-date=30 October 2019|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017101720/https://www.vinylgourmet.com/en/music/1540-tchaikovsky-1812-overture-lp-180g-vinyl-cincinnati-symphony-orchestra-erich-kunzel-telarc-records-usa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1989, [[the Swingle Singers]] recorded an [[a cappella]] version of the overture as part of an album whose title is ''1812''.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/1812-mw0000637775|title= 1812 – The Swingle Singers|publisher= AllMusic|access-date= 15 August 2014|archive-date= 11 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211211090207/https://www.allmusic.com/album/1812-mw0000637775|url-status= live}}</ref>

In 1990, during a worldwide celebration of the 150th anniversary of Tchaikovsky's birth, the ''Overture'' was recorded in the city of his youth by the [[Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra|Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra]] using 16 muzzleloading cannons fired live as written in the 1880 score. That recording was done within earshot of the composer's grave. The festival was televised for the first time in the United States on 9 March 1991.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-09-ca-2062-story.html Americans Do Tchaikovsky in Russia] by Daniel Cariaga</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/09/arts/review-television-soviet-concert-honors-a-favorite-son.html Review/Television; Soviet Concert Honors a Favorite Son] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129194910/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/09/arts/review-television-soviet-concert-honors-a-favorite-son.html |date=29 November 2021 }} By James R. Oestreich</ref>

The [[Texas|Texan]] band "The Invincible Czars" released a rock version of ''1812 Overture'' for the bicentennial of the [[Battle of Borodino]] in September 2012.<ref>[http://www.zvents.com/fairhope_al/events/show/279359987-napoleons-1812-bicentennial-indoor-picnic-russia-vs-france-a-battle-of-the-classics Napoleon's 1812 Bicentennial Indoor Picnic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927215613/http://www.zvents.com/fairhope_al/events/show/279359987-napoleons-1812-bicentennial-indoor-picnic-russia-vs-france-a-battle-of-the-classics |date=27 September 2013 }}</ref> The band had already debuted their arrangement of the piece at the 20th annual OK Mozart classical music festival at [[Bartlesville, Oklahoma]], with professional orchestra musicians, in June 2009, complete with fireworks at the finale.<ref>[https://www.okmozart.com/ OKMozart!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807210234/https://www.okmozart.com/ |date=7 August 2012 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
<!-- do not add copyright violations here, see WP:YOUTUBE -->
{{Commonscatinline}}
* {{IMSLP|work=1812_Overture%2C_Op.49_(Tchaikovsky%2C_Pyotr_Ilyich)|cname=1812 Overture}}
* [http://en.tchaikovsky-research.net/pages/The_Year_1812 Tchaikovsky Research]
* [http://www.postgazette.com/ae/20030704overtureae3.asp Article from 2003 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on how "1812" has become a piece of patriotic Americana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610061727/http://www.postgazette.com/ae/20030704overtureae3.asp |date=10 June 2008 }}
* [http://www.bruceduffie.com/barnett.html Interview with J. Paul Barnett about the 1812 Overture] by Bruce Duffie, 20 November 1999

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[[Category:1812 in music|Overture]]
[[Category:1880 compositions]]
[[Category:Overtures by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]
[[Category:Compositions for symphony orchestra]]
[[Category:Compositions in E-flat major]]
[[Category:Concert band pieces]]
[[Category:Concert overtures]]
[[Category:Russian patriotic songs]]
[[Category:American patriotic songs]]
[[Category:British patriotic songs]]
[[Category:Works about the French invasion of Russia]]
[[Category:La Marseillaise]]