1812 & Hamlet Overtures

The enormous popularity of Tchaikovsky's music since the turn of the century shows no sign of abating. His orchestral works, in particular, with their wealth of melody and brilliant scoring, have long found a ready response with audiences everywhere. The titles of many Tchaikovsky works are household words, and perhaps the "1812" is the most widely known of all his many popular compositions. "Overture Solennelle - the Year 1812", to give the work it's full title, was completed in 1880. The Fantasy Overture, Hamlet, is not so often performed as Tchaikovsky's other Shakespearian inspiration, Romeo and Juliet. It dates from 1888 and was originally intended as a prelude to a French production of the play to be staged in Moscow.