1812 Overture - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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 Russia in 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.

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, commissioned in 1812 by 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.

In 1882, during the All-Russia Arts and Industry Exhibition, the Overture was performed in a tent next to the unfinished cathedral. The cathedral was completed on 26 May 1883.
Program notes from Wikipedia

This performance was in the City of Tustin, California, 5 April, 2025. Branden Muresan conducted and is the Southern California Philharmonic's Music Director.

http://www.socalphil.org
https://www.facebook.com/southerncaliforniaphilharmonic/
https://www.tacfa.org/

The Southern California Philharmonic is a non-profit orchestra, located in Orange County.

Видео 1812 Overture - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky канала BEMUM