1812 Overture Finale Soviet Version

This is the finale of the 1812 Overture. The part that should have been 'God save the Tsar' has been censored out, as it was seen to be anti-communist.

For more information on the historical background of the 1812, I found http://www.utexas.edu/courses/russian... to be very useful

P.S. Tchaikovsky classified the Cannons as percussion!

• Category

  Music

[Phillip Hart]

@Andrew Lang They still use it on the Victory Day Parades they hold now

[Phillip Hart]

@nellouffa I have a PDF from the University of Texas about the 1812 Overture in the video comments.

Although it doesn't mention mention 2:32 as being a Napoleonic March, I myself don't know- and I don't want to say no if yes or vice-versa. If it is, please tell me, as I would like to listen to it

[SantaFe19484]

I wondered if the Russians used this song to celebrate their victory over the Germans.

[Phillip Hart]

@SantaFe19484 I'm not sure- they may have done, as it was a famous song that recalled the Great Victory that Russia achieved over Napoleon in the Patriotic War. However, the Soviet Government may have not openly condoned performances of the 1812, with the connotations it has. Still, they did go to the trouble to censor out the Tsarist National anthem, which must show that they did use it to an extent in the USSR. So, I suppose they easily could have used it in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-5.

[darthgrahf]

FOR THE MOTHERLAND! *Wehrmacht flees in terror*

[louislungbubble]

thanks for this...i used to listen to an old 78 of this version of the 1812 overture when i was young ..the record got broken i never heard it again till today....marty

[richrocks95]

I find it interesting that they replaced the "God Save the Czar" part with "Slav'sya" by Mikhail Glinka.

[Andrew Lang]

So I've recently learned. :)

[RussianWhiteWinter]

it's not revolutionary song but Tsarist one

[ReedsRantings]

It was in celebration of Napoleon retreating from Moscow in November of 1812. If you listen in some parts, you can hear "La Marsielle", the French National Anthem, resembling the French. Also "God Save the Tsar" by the low brass section, as well at the chimes which were to represent the dedication of the cathedral. Super interesting history behind this piece.

[George Stanley Duane]

Viva la revolution!!! I can see it in my life time & I'm 20. At least an UK revolution.

[RussianWhiteWinter]

LOOOOOOOL it's there's no more god save the tsar but they used Slavsya Rus' by Glinka

[Andrew Lang]

Yes, "Glory" from the Glinka opera was first performed at the review of troops at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow in 1945, and used frequently at military parades in Red Square for the rest of the Soviet era.