1812 Overture

The Year 1812 (festival overture in E♭ major, Op. 49), popularly known as the 1812 Overture or the Overture of 1812 is an overture written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defense of their motherland against Napoleon's invading Grande Armée in 1812. It has also been co-opted as a patriotic hymn played in the United States in association with its Fourth of July celebrations. The overture debuted in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow on August 20 1882, conducted by Ippolit Al'tani. The overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale.