Video: 'Tchaikovsky's famous 1812 Overture'

(Sunday, August 20, 1882) — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, written in 1880 to commemorate Russia’s defense of their fatherland against Napoleon’s invading Grande Armée in 1812, premiered today in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

The overture is best known for its climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale.