Why is Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture so popular

Like many classical music buffs, I often wonder what the appeal of the enduring 1812 Overture is. Some people avoid it like the plague because of the noise, the jingoism, and the sheer exuberant crazyness of it all.
Imagine firing cannons in a concert hall. What could the old Russian madman have been thinking of. Not the insurance bill, clearly.
BBC’s Radio 4 asked the question in a thoughtful programme last week. The show was presented by Alasdair Malloy, principal percussionist with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
We heard how one over-enthusiastic musician almost did away with the conductor by setting off fireworks in his trombone. On another occasion pellets from a cannon left much of the orchestra covered in blood and with permanent scars and dents in their faces. The 1812 is not for the fainthearted.
As it’s safer to listen to the piece at home, I’ve chosen a nice version on Deutsche Grammophon with Neeme Jarvi conducting the Gothenburg Artillery Division and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Note how the guns are put first.





Can you tell me how may cannons are fired during this overture?
By Janice on April 20th, 2007 at 1:30 am
I think it varies with the size of the hall and the number of cannons available.
By John on April 23rd, 2007 at 8:35 am