by Frank James
Tourists tough enough to brave the heat and humidity of the nation’s capital on the evening of August 14 might want to check out a performance of Pyotr Iliyich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” as performed by the U.S. Army Band, including the percussion work of the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment which will fire World War II-era anti-aircraft guns during the overture’s famous climax.
Here’s the Army release with all the necessary information.
UNITED STATES ARMY BAND
PRESENTS TCHAIKOVSKY’S “OVERTURE 1812”
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will entertain audiences of all ages with its annual “Overture 1812 Concert” featuring the popular Tchaikovsky’s Overture 1812 on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m. The FREE performance will be held at the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument Grounds between 15th Street and Independence Avenue. No tickets are required for this event. The closest metro stop to the location is the Smithsonian station on the orange and blue lines.
A favorite among Washingtonians, the annual musical extravaganza offers an enjoyable musical program of traditional band music with vocal highlights and Herald Trumpet fanfare. The program features selections from Herbert L. Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Stephen Schwartz and Leonard Bernstein. The powerful finale is the always spectacular Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s Overture 1812, including explosive cannon fire by the Presidential Salute Battery of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
The battery, equipped with four three-inch, 5,775-pound, World War II vintage anti-tank guns, will fire 75mm blank shells with one-and-a-half pounds of gunpowder. A total of 23 shots will be fired, including the final volley from all four cannons.
“Overture 1812” was composed for the 1880 Kremlin Square celebration honoring the Russian victory over the French Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812. Today the overture is revered among concert goers—from its playful, mocking themes from the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, to the powerful finale with ringing church bells and booming cannons proclaiming victory!
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This performance is a highlight of the Washington, D.C., outdoor music season. Come early and bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a picnic and enjoy the sights and sounds as The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and the Presidential Salute Battery light up the night (alcoholic beverages are not permitted).
For more information about the concert visit the Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Website at www.usarmyband.com. For concert cancellations due to inclement weather notification, call 703-696-3399.