05 July 2022

AMERICAN DENIALISM: Celebrating "Star-Spangled Glory ...What about THE REALLY BIG EVENT of 1812?

Oh say can you see the hypocrisy of it all?  The reconsideration of the “1812 Overture” is the latest example of the difficult questions facing cultural institutions.
On June 24, 1812, the Grande Armée, led by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, crossed the Neman River, invading Russia from present-day Poland. The result was a disaster for the French. The Russian army refused to engage with Napoleon's Grande Armée of more than 500,000 European troops. Napoleon's invasion of Russia is one of the best studied military campaigns in history and is listed among the most lethal military operations in world history
File:Napoleons retreat from moscow.jpg
The overture, which runs about 15 minutes, is unabashedly patriotic, featuring Russian folk songs and a volley of cannon fire set to the former Russian national anthem, “God Save the Czar.” Some renditions include vocal lines from a Russian Orthodox text, “God Preserve Thy People.”
Note: Interpretations of the piece have changed over time, said Emily Richmond Pollock, an associate professor of music at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While it was first used to celebrate the Russian empire, it later became synonymous with American democracy. Now, in some circles, it symbolizes authoritarianism in modern Russia.

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.

With its earsplitting rounds of cannon fire and triumphal spirit, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” has been a staple of Fourth of July festivities across the United States for decades, serving as a rousing prelude to glittering displays of fireworks.

But this year many ensembles, concerned about the overture’s history as a celebration of the Russian military — Tchaikovsky wrote it to commemorate the rout of Napoleon’s army from Russia in the winter of 1812 — are reconsidering the work because of the war in Ukraine. . ."

Please continue reading >> https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/03/arts/music/1812-overture-russia-ukraine.html

ADAPTATION AND APPROPRIATION IN ANOTHER CONTEXT: 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[17] in the United States as a symbol of the United States Independence Day, a tradition that dates to a 1974 choice made by Arthur Fiedler for a performance at the Boston Pops July 4th concert

> HISTORY The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture,[1] is a concert overture in E major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to commemorate the successful Russian defense against Napoleon's invading Grande Armée in 1812.

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REVISIONIST STORIES

Mar 13, 2022 · Why now is no time for Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture ... It is important to bear in mind that Tchaikovsky wrote the piece to a commission; he did ...

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture

"With a performance history going back over 300 years, Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" may have been written by a Russian to commemorate a new cathedral, but today it is perhaps most well known as a musical symbol of America's independence.

Video for 1812 overture
Feb 21, 2011 · The 1812 Overture, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1880. This version with cannons ...
Duration: 15:09
Posted: Feb 21, 2011

A Grand Commemoration

In 1880, Tchaikovsky’s friend Nikolai Rubinstein suggested that the Russian composer of some of the world's most beloved ballets should create a grand work to be played in honor of a number of upcoming events. Rubinstein specifically had in mind the completion of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (which also served as a memorial commemorating Russia’s victory in the 1812 French Invasion of Russia), as well as the 25th anniversary of Emperor Alexander II’s coronation and the Moscow Arts and Industry Exhibition of 1882. In October that same year, Tchaikovsky began composing the work and completed it six weeks later. . .

Tchaikovsky and the Pops

Perhaps the most famous performance of the "1812 Overture" took place not in Russia or in Europe, but in America. Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler was no doubt inspired by the overture's exhilarating musical structure when he decided to include it as part of his 1974 Independence Day performance. In addition, Fiedler choreographed fireworks, cannons, and a steeple bell choir to the overture. Since then, orchestras all over the U.S. quickly followed suit, and it is now a tradition to perform the overture during Independence Day celebrations. As a result, many American’s have come to believe that the piece represents the victory of the United States against the British Empire during the War of 1812, never mind that the overture includes "La Marsillaise" and "God Save the Tsar." Still, if Tchaikovsky were alive today, he might be flattered at the misrepresentation, since the mark of any great artwork is its timelessness and universal relevance."

The overture debuted in Moscow on 20 August [O.S. 8 August] 1882,[2] conducted by Ippolit Al'tani under a tent near the then-almost-finished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which also memorialised the 1812 defense of Russia.[3]

The 15-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.[4] 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, and Swan Lake.[5]

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[17] in the United States as a symbol of the United States Independence Day, a tradition that dates to a 1974 choice made by Arthur Fiedler for a performance at the Boston Pops July 4th concert

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> RELATED -- Note the date

Russia’s defeat of Napoleon’s army. from www.youtube.com
Jun 23, 2017 · Up to 650,000 French soldiers invaded Russian Poland on 24 June for what Napoleon hoped ...
Duration: 2:55
Posted: Jun 23, 2017
Russia’s defeat of Napoleon’s army. from www.youtube.com
Aug 25, 2016 · The French invasion of Russia and Battle of ... attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army ...
Duration: 6:10
Posted: Aug 25, 2016

 

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