• Instrumentation: pic ; fl.1 ;  fl.2 ;  fl.3/Afl ;  Afl ;  Bfl ; [optional:  C'Bfl; percussion]
• Composer: TCHAIKOVSKY, Pyotr Ilyich (1840 - 1893)
• Difficulty level: upper intermediate plus [UK grade 6 upwards]
• Arranger: Roz Trubger
• Duration: ca. 8 mins
• Extras: free online rehearsal play-along [opens in Soundcloud]
• 979070-8135-20-3

A rousing finale to the concert - the complete 1812 overture arranged for flutes, with party poppers making the bangs instead of cannons !

Party Poppers are commonly used at parties as they emit confetti or streamers plus a loud popping noise, activated by pulling a string. Have fun using them as directed in our arrangement of the 1812 overture, instead of a cannon.

the optional Percussion part is scored for one player with bells, cymbals and a triangle.

The famous Festival Overture [known as '1812'] was composed by Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate the Battle of Borodino in which the Russians defeated the invading army of Napoleon. It has several contrasting sections: The work opens with an hymn depicting the people praying for peace. The French Army's advance is represented by the Marseillaise theme, cannon shots [party poppers] are fired and battle is enjoined until the Imperial Anthem rings out celebrating the Russian victory.