Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture, arr. Martin Tousignant
Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture, arr. Martin Tousignant
The Most Spectacular Overture Ever Written — Arranged for Concert Band by Martin Tousignant
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) composed his Festival Overture in E-flat major, Op. 49 — universally known as the 1812 Overture — in 1880 to commemorate Russia's triumphant defense against Napoleon's Grande Armée. From its solemn opening hymn to its earth-shaking finale of cannon fire, pealing bells, and blazing brass fanfares, the 1812 Overture is one of the most thrilling and immediately recognizable works in the entire orchestral repertoire. Tchaikovsky himself conducted the work at the dedication of Carnegie Hall in 1891, and it has since become a beloved fixture of outdoor concerts and Independence Day celebrations across the United States.
This edition presents the 1812 Overture in an arrangement by Martin Tousignant for concert band, capturing all the drama, grandeur, and explosive excitement of the original in a format accessible to wind ensembles. A guaranteed showstopper for any concert program.
Performance Highlights
- One of the most thrilling and recognizable works in the orchestral repertoire
- Commemorates Russia's 1812 defense against Napoleon — a story of national triumph
- Climactic finale featuring cannon fire, bells, and blazing brass fanfares
- Arranged for concert band by Martin Tousignant
- Ideal for patriotic concerts, outdoor festivals, and holiday programs
- Digital PDF download — print-ready score and parts included
About the Arranger
Martin Charles Tousignant (1965– ) grew up in L’Anse, Michigan, where he began piano lessons at age six and took up tuba and euphonium at twelve. By sixteen he had earned a place in the Michigan All-State Honors Band on tuba. He earned a magna cum laude music degree from Northern State University (Aberdeen, South Dakota) in 1992, and after two years of teaching joined the US Army as a tuba player in 1994, serving until 2000. He subsequently settled in Herndon, Virginia, working as a mail carrier while performing tuba with Army National Guard and community bands. In 2009 he returned to the US Army as a tuba player on a five-year leave of absence from the US Postal Service.