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1812 Overture Analysis

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The “1812 Overture” is a piece commissioned by Tsar Alexander I, the king of Russia from 1801 to 1825. It is one of the few recognisable pieces during the romantic era composed by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was written in 1880 to celebrate and honour Russia’s victory over Napoleon invasion during the French Revolution. The “1812 overture” was written to describe how Napoleon and his troops invaded Russia and how Russia had successfully defended its motherland. Tchaikovsky used fragments of melody from different pieces to represent Napoleon and his troops and the Russians. Therefore, there are reasons to believe that Tchaikovsky’s composition was influenced by the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte was the first emperor of France. He advanced quickly to a commander in 1796 because of his education received in military school. Napoleon then crowned himself king in Paris in December 2, 1802. As for Tsar Alexander I, he was the First King in Russia who reigned from 1801 till his death in the year of 1825. He was crowned king of all Russia upon his father’s death, Paul I, in the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow. Tsar Alexander I has always gave in to Napoleon. One example would be to stop trade and relations between Russia and Britain. However, oppositions managed to accuse Tsar Alexander I of being Francophile. This led to the tension built up between Russia and France. Furthermore, Napoleon’s ambition had brought about the invasion of Russia. However, due to
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