Musical Evaluation, Essay Example

Abstract

The paper provides musical evaluation of the 1812 Overture written by Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky. The paper analyzes a whole set of purely musical elements, from form and tone to harmonies and rhythm. The analysis of the historical and cultural context is provided, too. The 1812 Overture stands as the critical element of Tchaikovsky’s creative career.

Introduction

Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky remains one of the most talented and one of the most prominent figures in the history of Russian music. Tchaikovsky is fairly regarded as the “most Russian” composer of all times. A child of a middle class family, Tchaikovsky had a unique opportunity to become familiar with the musical works of the most famous German and Austrian composers, and he himself had a persistent desire to use music as an expression of his the gratitude and pride for being a member of the Russian community. In his works, the famous composer seeks to combine complex meanings with simple musical expression, to make his works understandable and acceptable by the public. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is the bright example of how several different musical themes are combined to produce a coherent, exciting, and talented sound and to use music as a reflection of the Russian historical reality.

Written in 1881, the 1812 Overture by Piotr Illich Tchaikovsky is often referred to as “a patchwork of bombastic clichés, a tautly crafted, brilliantly orchestrated, and immensely exciting piece for large orchestra, cathedral bells, and muzzle-loaded cannon” (Davies 2004, p. 44). Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is well-known for its use of French and Russian anthems, which reinforce the vision of sophistication and complexity in the overture’s sound. This piece of Tchaikovsky’s musical writing has a relatively slowly, softly, and steady beginning, which gradually turns into attractive moderato. By the end of the overture, the moderato slowly becomes wonderful allegro. The changes in the tone and the rhythm are as abrupt as they are also harmonic and anticipated; these changes as if shape a coherent atmosphere of musical expression. Between decrescendos and crescendos, Tchaikovsky seeks to create a dynamic picture of events, which would have lost their attractiveness if not for the tones of horns and strings that overflow the main theme of the overture. In his desire to reflect the realities of the Russian history, Tchaikovsky, nevertheless, remains within the boundaries of conventional tones, and his harmonies are designed to support the logical development of the overture as it comes to its end. The form of the overture makes it possible for the listener to trace the development of the action through its culmination to the end which, for Tchaikovsky, is associated with the ultimate and irreversible victory (Davies, 2004).

Written in 1881, the 1812 Overture is the bright reflection of the events that happened in Russia in 1812 (Knight, 2006). The overture was created to praise the actions and achievements of the Russian people in the war against Napoleon. Knight (2006) is correct when saying that “it has very noisy, yet brilliant, brass playing, thunderous cannons, and loudly tolled bells (representing Moscow’s church bells) to celebrate the Russian rout of the French” (p. 153), but it is even more important to see the 1812 Overture in the context of continuous Russian pride and national belonging, which goes as a coherent line through all Tchaikovsky’s creations. The dynamic representation and the abrupt changes in tone which, nevertheless, do not break the smooth logical line of the musical action are expected to prove the significance of the Russian victory. Excellent orchestration and sophisticated tones create a feeling that Tchaikovsky really enjoyed his work, and this impression signifies the triumph of music as the direct, truthful, and emotional representation of the most important moments in the Russian history.

Conclusion

Piotr Ilich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture remains one of his brightest and the most famous works. The use of the Russian and the French anthems, brilliant orchestration, and sophisticated tones and dynamics make this piece of Tchaikovsky’s music unique and bright. The 1812 Overture reflects the events of 1812 in Russia, the Russian victory over Napoleon, and the sense of pride for everything Russia was able to accomplish during the war. As such, this overture is an integral element of Tchaikovsky’s vision of pride, glory, and nationalism, and reflects his sense of belonging to the Russian history and the Russian nation.

References

Davies, S. (2004). Musical works and performances: A philosophical exploration. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Knight, D.B. (2006). Landscapes in music: Space, place, and time in the world’s great music. New York: Rowman & Littlefield.