Peter llyich Tchaikovsky 1840 1893 1812 Overture By

Peter llyich Tchaikovsky (1840 -1893) 1812 Overture By: Carisse Elizondo

Brief Biography � Born May 7, 1840 � Began piano lessons at age 5 � Imperial School of Jurisprudence in St. Petersburg � Saint Petersburg Conservatory � Moscow Conservatory � Died November 6, 1893 Harmony and Counterpoint � Nikolai Zaremba Instrumentation and Composition � Anton Rubinstein.

Influences and Musical Style �Russian nationalist composer �Known for blending Russian, French, Italian, and German traditions. �Influenced by the Rubinstein brothers, Glinka, Mozart, Beethoven, Bizet, Mendelssohn… �self-expression, colorful orchestration �not strict with sonata form �melodies displayed strong emotions

1812 Overture in E flat Major, op 64 �Published in 1880 �Instrumentation: Brass band (finale only), brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings, live cannons. �Form: Concert Overture �Often changes to unrelated keys (G major, F sharp major, Eb minor) �Makes use of seventh chords. �Features both homophonic and polyphonic textures

Continued… � 1 st theme: “God Preserve Thy People” �“La Marseillaise” (French National Anthem) and lyrics from Russian folk songs. �Used in the opening divided between cello and strings. (bar 1 -35) �Fragments featured in the development section by the horns. (bar 127)

�An example of polyphony �The 1 st theme is introduced, while the march-like theme is played. Then the horns enter with the live cannons. The Russian anthem is then in counterpoint with the

Sources Garden, Edward. The Master Musicians: Tchaikovsky. New York: J. M Dent & Songs Ltd, 1973. Langston, Brett, and Alexander Poznansky. The Tchaikovsky Handbook: A guide to the man and his music. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2002. Poznansky, Alexander. TCHAIKOVSKY: The Quest for the Inner Man. New York: Schirmer Books, 1991. Tchaikovsky, Modeste. The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky. Great Britain: William Brendon and Son, 1905. Daugherty, B (2010) Moscow- History. Available: http: //www. classical. net/music/comp. lst/works/tchaikovsky/18 12. php Favorite Classical Composers. 2012. http: //www. favoriteclassical-composers. com (accessed April 24, 2012).