1812 Overture
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The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, is a concert overture in E♭ major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The piece commemorates Russia's successful defense against the French invasion of the country by Napoleon in 1812.
A performance, with cannon fire, at the 2005 Classical Spectacular in Melbourne, Australia
A scene depicting the French retreat from Russia in 1812, painting by Illarion Pryanishnikov (1874)
Arthur Fiedler
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Arthur Fiedler was an American conductor known for his association with both the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras. With a combination of musicianship and showmanship, he made the Boston Pops one of the best-known orchestras in the United States. Fiedler was sometimes criticized for over-popularizing music, particularly when adapting popular songs or editing portions of the classical repertoire, but he kept performances informal and sometimes self-mocking to attract a bigger audience.
Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1969
Fiedler dressed for the part of a fireman for a show skit. Red Skelton is dressed as Clem Kadiddlehopper.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fiedler and Wernher von Braun in his office during the Fiedlers' visit to the Marshall Space Flight Center on March 23, 1962.