About this edition
Few works in the orchestral repertoire announce themselves with the visceral immediacy of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Composed in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defense against Napoleon's Grande Armée, the work weaves the French Marseillaise against Russian liturgical chant and folk melody, building to its famous cannonade and tolling bells. Tchaikovsky himself was famously ambivalent about the piece—he called it "very loud and noisy"—yet its sheer dramatic architecture and orchestral brilliance have made it one of the most universally recognized works of the nineteenth century.
This volume reproduces the first edition full score issued by P. Jurgenson in Moscow, circa 1882 (plate number 4592). Jurgenson was Tchaikovsky's principal publisher and personal friend, and the firm enjoyed direct access to the composer's manuscripts and proofs throughout his career. As a result, Jurgenson's first editions carry exceptional authority and remain the foundation upon which virtually all subsequent editions of Tchaikovsky's orchestral works are based. For conductors and scholars, working from this source offers a direct connection to the score as Tchaikovsky himself sanctioned it for publication.
About this edition:
- Format: Full orchestral score (conductor's score)
- Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Source: Reproduced from a public domain historical edition (P. Jurgenson, Moscow, c.1882, plate 4592)
- Publisher: Purple 4R Publishing
- Suitable for study, conducting, and library reference
This edition is a faithful reproduction of a historical score in the public domain, which means a landmark of the orchestral repertoire is once again easy to bring home, mark up, and study. We're delighted to help keep these foundational scores in active circulation for the musicians and scholars who love them.
