Description
Tchaikovsky - 1812 Festival Overture, Op. 49 (original scoring); Capriccio Italien, Beethoven - Wellington's Victory / Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, University Of Minnesota Brass Band / Mercury Living Presence Audio CD 1995 / 434 360-2
UPC 028943436021
Product Details
Title: Tchaikovsky - 1812 Festival Overture, Op. 49 (original scoring); Capriccio Italien, Beethoven - Wellington's VictoryArtist: Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, University Of Minnesota Brass BandLabel: MercuryFormat: Audio CDRelease Date: 1995UPC: 028943436021Genre: ClassicalStyle: Romantic
Description
The 1812 Festival Overture, Op. 49 by Tchaikovsky is one of the composer's most popular works. Written in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defense against Napoleon's invasion, this dramatic 15-minute overture culminates in a barrage of cannon fire and chiming bells.Conductor Antal Dorati leads the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and University of Minnesota Brass Band in a rousing rendition, using Tchaikovsky's original scoring with real artillery. The pealing bells and booming cannons make for a thrilling live experience.Also featured on this 1995 Mercury Living Presence release are sparkling performances of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien and Beethoven's Wellington's Victory, inspired by the Duke of Wellington's triumph against Joseph Bonaparte in 1813.With its bombastic battle scenes and victorious finale, this album delivers a true festival of classical favorites. Dorati and the Minneapolis players capture all the pageantry and patriotic spirit with their trademark virtuosity.
Track List
- 1812 Festival Overture, Op. 49 (Original Scoring) - 15:20
- Commentary By Deems Taylor - 11:55
- Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 - 14:30
- Wellington's Victory ("The Battle Of Vitoria"). Op. 91: 1. First Part: Battle - 8:18
- Wellington's Victory ("The Battle Of Vitoria"). Op. 91: 2. Second Part: Victory Symphony - 6:33
- Commentary By Deems Taylor - 9:26
Interesting
- Tchaikovsky was initially dismissive of the 1812 Overture, calling it "very loud and noisy" and "without artistic merit." However, he changed his mind after the triumphant premiere.
- The Overture's first performance used real cannons from Napoleon's army that had been captured after the failed invasion of Russia in 1812.
- On the 50th anniversary of the overture in 1932, the USSR ordered a celebratory performance using 16 cannons, the ringing of every church bell in Moscow, and a 1,000-member choir.
Key Credits
- Composers: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ludwig van Beethoven
- Conductor: Antal Dorati
- Orchestra: Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra
- Ensemble: University Of Minnesota Brass Band
- Engineer [Associate Engineer] – Robert Eberenz (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
- Engineer [Chief Engineer], Technician [Technical Supervisor (Music And Effects)] – C. Robert Fine
- Executive-Producer – Wilma Cozart (tracks: 3)
- Liner Notes [Liner Note Editor] – Sedgwick Clark
- Recording Supervisor [Recording Director (Music And Effects)] – Wilma Cozart (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
- Recording Supervisor [Recording Director] – David Hall (10) (tracks: 3)
- Supervised By [Musical Supervision] – Clair Van Ausdall (tracks: 1), Harold Lawrence (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
