This composition was written at the suggestion of Nikolay Rubenstein, a friend of the composer.
This composition was written at the suggestion of Nikolay Rubenstein, a friend of the composer. The piece opens like the composer's sixth symphony, featuring divided violas and cellos. Traditional melodies are used throughout the piece, such as "At the Gate, at my Gate", and the Russian Orthodox hymn, "God Preserve thy People" "Glory," a chorus by Mikhail Glinka, once replaced "God Save the Tsar" in this piece's orchestration. It is perhaps most notable for calling for 16 cannon shots and repeated fragments of "La Marseillaise." FTP name this overture written by Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate the defense of Moscow from Napoleon's advancing troops at the Battle of Borodino.
This composition was written at the suggestion of Nikolay Rubenstein, a friend of the composer.
{1812 Overture}