02-07-2025
Why America plays a Russian tune on Independence Day
I've long been a fan of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" but was always intrigued about its relevance on America's Independence Day.
Why it matters: It's a staple for Fourth of July celebrations nationwide despite its roots in a major Russian military victory.
Driving the news: The Houston Symphony will round out Friday's free Star-Spangled Salute at Miller Outdoor Theatre with the overture before fireworks light up the skies over Hermann Park.
The intrigue: Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the piece in 1880 to commemorate the nation's victory over the French during the Napoleonic invasion in 1812, which turned the tides of war.
Yes, but: American symphonies and orchestras nationwide play it on America's Independence Day, often during fireworks, timing larger displays with the score's crescendoes.
Flashback: The Boston Pops first paired the Russian overture with a fireworks show during its 1974 Independence Day concert, the New York Times reported in 1998.
The coupling was an effort to attract more people to the show by playing the piece — complete with real howitzer cannon fire written into the finale — and pop off fireworks at the same time.
Two years later, it became a staple when 400,000 people witnessed the performance and fireworks during the 1976 American Bicentennial celebration in Boston.
