Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture

TCHAIKOVSKY: 1812 Overture
Boston Pops Orchestra
John Williams

[@joethahobo]

This may have been the greatest musical performance of all time. John freaking Williams as he conductor, doing a piece over 12 minutes that calls for freaking canons and bell towers, along with the spectacle of fireworks. Truly special

[@ActualKaktus]

John Williams conducted a city

[@TheRevan1231]

John has permanent residence in Lenox MA at Tanglewood.

[@mattdaugherty7865]

“Pops goes the 4th” was the best! I miss seeing it!

[@jennyblew]

This really makes me miss Boston. What a show!

[@jbar3090]

This is what America needs people enjoying life again!

[@rebeccarose81]

John Barker Until we can all be together again, at least we have these beautiful sounds. Stay strong!

[@timregan1005]

agree! a song about russian triumph!!!

[@lili8367]

This is a great piece of music for the 4th of July holiday! And, the howitzers are earth-shaking when you are there in person. It sounds muted here because the mics are set up for the orchestra. This is fantastic and brings me back to the Esplanade!

[@bggraham83]

But its not about america at all

[@Roadman3235]

It fits for actually russian independence

[@Stipdumb]

Still find it funny we play the 1812 Overture during July 4th, especially since it's a song about France's retreat from Russia!

[@edwardmcmanus7496]

My guess this is from when we last had a truly patriotic president in The White House, Ronald Reagan. Circa 1986. Great Boston crowd too ! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌄

[@jeannieharmon628]

it is my dream 1 day to see & listen to this in person

[@SuperBondfan007]

My favorite film composer conducting my favorite Classical music piece. Love it. (But the artillery back then was really weak. Needs more thundering.)

[@heavyvacation9826]

Thanks for putting this up.

[@xmamb]

I was there.

[@andrewgrundy744]

A message to KZbin stop putting adverts on right in the middle of a piece of music it can spoil it

[@Icybear50gamerYT]

3:17

[@Pyjammer]

Hello...brings back memories, but I'm curious what year this was. Does anybody know? Thank you!

[@jenniferadams4089]

I believe it was earlier-to-mid 80's

[@educacionblockchain]

1983

[@DonDonP1]

Nice. If orchestras across America decide to find a perfect alternative to the "1812 Overture" in their July 4th concerts due to the current situation in Ukraine, then it might as well be "The March from 1941" by John Williams, who did conduct the "1812 Overture" in this vid. Yes, that tune did include an optional cannon part.

[@jmwoods190]

I was thinking of exactly the same thing(albeit I have nothing against Russia personally), though the cannon part was a bit more sporadic. And there are more works that use the cannon too- there is a major cannon part at the end of Act of Puccini's Tosca(and a plethora of chimes too, and later rifles!), and Prokofiev's Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution also a few cannon shots!

[@markshirley9353]

Do you know when this was recorded?

[@Pa1inathas]

I'd have to guess late 80s. John Williams stepped down as conductor in 94, and the show got more elaborate as the years have gone on. I enjoy the simplicity and focus on the music in this one.

[@scottburton9619]

@@Pa1inathas based on the age of Neil Grover and a couple of other familiar faces I'd say early to mid 80's.

[@seanbogs]

I believe 1983. I was directed to search for this particular performance of the oveture in the comments section of another because I heard they rang every church bell in Boston for this performance 😳 sure sounds like it

[@DonDonP1]

July 4th, 1987.

[@JeremiahKlarman]

3:20…why do they always cheer? Drives me nuts.

[@FreakieFan]

Ignorant Americans that don't know classical music...

[@Rasbiff]

@@FreakieFan FFS, you think you're supposed to enjoy THIS PIECE in SILENCE!? I don't even see how that is possible. If music moves me this much, then damn right I'm gonna cheer. I'm European and former French Hornist btw. The idea that audiences are supposed to enjoy classical music in silence is a fairly new idea that comes from the late 19th century/early 20th century. Before then it was common with applause, cheers, boos, jeers, etc from audiences. Say what you want about Americans but in this case I'm with them. In general, I've always been a sucker for the American culture of performer-audience interaction in all kinds of music.

[@FreakieFan]

@@Rasbiff I'm all for cheering and showing one's appreciation for the music, but DURING a piece? WHILE it's being performed? That's about as disrespectful to the artists as loudly talking during a movie.

[@peterp1158]

That note (3:20) is the point where most people recognize the song.

[@iluvpepi]

The occasion was an outdoor concert on the Fourth of July. This is a national holiday for the United States, so people are going to be extra excited and pumped up. This overture is one of the most stirring and exciting pieces of music. Let the people cheer.

[@johnallen2771]

I think Tchaikovsky wrote this as a gift to the American people for when we were invaded by England in 1812. The British came up through Delaware, I believe, on their way to setting fire to the White House and Washington, DC. As I hear the cannons blazing I wonder what it sounded like that night with cannon fire from the British and the Americans. But the music seems to follow a pattern like that, of uniformed men coming ashore, marching down the dirt roads until they burst through and set the city ablaze. The bells ringing is I think a sign of victory by the people in America who were fighting the British. They probably rang the church bells to signal to the people that we were still free.

[@timregan1005]

or the russians cheering victory over the germans.. but ya keep believing what you think is right

[@matthewlee8667]

The 1812 Overture was actually written as a commemoration of Russia's war against Napoleon in 1812. The piece is representative of the battle between the French and Russians (that's why the French national anthem La Marseillaise is played during the song). The church bells and celebrations are indeed celebrating Russia's ultimate victory over Napoleon. It has nothing to do with America or Germany

[@DonDonP1]

@@matthewlee8667 Nor is there anything to do with Britain.

[@SuperBondfan007]

@@matthewlee8667 Yup. The battle of Borodino to be specific. And the reason it's played in the US on the 4th is because Arthur Fiedler, the conductor before John Williams, noticed a lack of attendance at these concerts, so he decided to find a showstopper of sorts, and opted for the 1812. (Plus in US pop-culture, the 1812 is often associated with exploding things, in this case fireworks.) Eventually, it became a nationwide tradition. And I'd also say, that no matter where it originated, it is definitely considered to be a piece of patriotic music.

[@DeadRBLX243]

this isnt the song in the title its different

[@thecombine887]

That's not true at all