——— Historical background: Napoleon’s invasion of Russia
Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer whose works included symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, chamber music, and a choral setting of the Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy.He was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally, which he bolstered with appearances as a guest conductor later in his career in Europe and the United States.
The Year 1812, festival overture in E♭ major, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, is an overture written in 1880 by Russian composer Tchaikovsky to commemorate Russia’s defense of its motherland against Napoleon in 1812.
The music can be interpreted as a fairly literal depiction of the campaign: in June 1812, the previously undefeated French Allied Army of over half a million battle-hardened soldiers and almost 1,200 state-of-the-art guns (cannons, artillery pieces) crossed the Niemen River into Lithuania on its way to Moscow. The Holy Synod, aware that the Russian Imperial Army could field a force only a fraction of this size, inexperienced and poorly equipped, called on the people to pray for deliverance and peace. So, the background story of this song is about a battle. In addition, the composition of this song is three parts: Historical background, Anachronism of nationalist motifs and Commission.
When I am listening to this song, I really appreciate the melody of it. For example, at the beginning, the melody is slow and contains a little sadness; at the middle, it becomes a little cheerful and at the end it is very fast and loud. Tchaikovsky wrote this song in order to memorise the Russian battle which is to defeat Napoleon. In this song, the composer wants to express a very significant moment of the history and the precious spirit of the soldiers.
In conclusion, i think we can clearly understand the plot of this song. First, the Russian people was suffering from terrible war and many people lost their lives. Second, the war between France and Russia is very competitive. Third, the Russian people celebrate their victory and they are very excited.
work cited
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_Overture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky