#43 The Smell of Gunpowder

The cellos in the beginning are articulate, wild. You can hardly find such a sound in new recordings (this one is from 1958). You are expecting something to come and you're not failed–the omnivorous pressure explodes at 1'53''. And it all continues, combining different moods together, like that military march together with a romantic line at 3'40''. Marseillaise and God Preserve the Czar!

And here comes the original scoring: symphony orchestra augmented by brass band, church bells (74 bells of Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon), and cannon (Napoleon's bronze cannon "Le Constant" from 1775). Inspiring music for this sunny Saturday.

Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Work: 1812 Festival Overture
Recording: Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, University of Minnesota Brass Band, Antal Dorati