Columbia Masterworks X-205: Tchaikovsky – Overture 1812 (78RPM) (1941)
$
25
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Description
Columbia Masterworks X-205: Tchaikovsky – Overture 1812 (78RPM) (1941)
Columbia Masterworks Set X-205
Artur Rodzinski conducting the Cleveland Orchestra
Overture 1812
Two (2) Album Set (4 sides)
Made in U.S.A.
Format: 2 x Shellac, 12”, 78 RPM
Recorded: April 14, 1941 Severance Hall, Cleveland OH USA
Released: 1941
Genre: Classical
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Album Cover Designer: Alex Steinweiss
From the Columbia Book of MUSICAL MASTERWORKS:
“OVERTURE 1812. Along with the Marche Slave and the Nutcracker Suite, the Overture 1812 seems destined to remain among Tchaikovsky's most popular works with the general public. All have the same qualities in common, stirring themes and brilliant orchestration.
“Nicholas Rubinstein suggested to Tchaikovsky in the spring of 1880 that he write a piece occasion for the consecration of the Temple of Christ in Moscow. This was to be part of a festival to commemorate the events of 1812, the year of Napoleon's ill-fated attempt to subdue the Russian Empire in the interests of his "new order for Europe”. Tchaikovsky's overture was to be performed in the public square before the cathedral by a colossal orchestra, the big drums to be replaced by salvos of artillery electrically controlled from the conductor's podium. The composition was finished in 1880, but apparently never received its scheduled performance (with artillery obbligato) at the festival. Its official premiere took place in Moscow on August 20, 1882.
“The overture opens quietly with the subject of the old Russian hymn God Preserve Thy People. This is worked up to a brief climax followed by quiet, foreboding passages. There follows the main section of the overture, representing the Battle of Borodino. Here snatches of Russian folk music are brought into violent conflict with the Marseillaise amid deafening salvos from the orchestral battery. The uproar subsides as the orchestra recapitulates a quiet episode, reminiscent of a Russian peasant tune. The distant horns intone the Marseillaise. Then, choir by choir, the full orchestra rejoins the fray in a giant crescendo. The entire string section embarks on probably the longest orchestral cadenza ever written, and the overture ends with the Russian National Hymn triumphant amid the jubilant peal of the bells of Moscow.”
This original complete X-205 Set of 2 is one of the Columbia Masterworks featuring Tchaikovsky’s Overture 1812 by the Cleveland Orchestra with Artur Rodzinski conducting. The set is contained in its original album, which amazingly is in very good condition considering its age.
This record set comes from an estate and I have no first-hand knowledge of the history of purchase or care or maintenance of this record. I am not a collector and I do not have the knowledge or training to assign a grade to this record. The estate’s records that I sell are not rated based on sound, but only on visual qualities. I do not have a record player that plays 78RPM which means that I have not played or listened to this set of records. For that reason the quality of the recording is not guaranteed. Please ask questions or express concerns before placing a bid or buying this item.
Based on a visual inspection of the records by my untrained eye, it appears that the records and labels are in good condition.
The album cover is showing some wear consisting primarily of fraying around the edges, but appears to be in overall very good condition considering that the record is about 75 years old. See the photos.
I have described this record to the best of my ability. Other than wiping these records with a soft dust-free cloth, I have not attempted to clean or otherwise maintain this record set prior to sale.
The tracks on this record set consist of the following:
1. Overture 1812 (Part 1)
2. Overture 1812 (Part 2)
3. Overture 1812 (Part 3)
4. Overture 1812 (Part 4)
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