1812 Overture, Op. 49

Commissioned to mark the 1882 All-Russia Exhibition of Arts and Crafts, this extraordinarily popular work premiered at the consecration of the Kremlin's Cathedral of the Redeemer--the monument built to commemorate the Russian defeat of the Napoleonic invasion in 1812. A colorful musical tapestry of nationalistic themes and battle scenes, performances of the "1812"--with cannons thundering and bells pealing--have remained an electrifying outdoor event at concerts worldwide. Instrumentation.