What Are You Listening To Right Now?

From wikipedia on the 1812 Overture:

"The music can be interpreted as a fairly literal depiction of the campaign: in June 1812, the previously undefeated French Allied Army of over half a million battle-hardened soldiers and almost 1,200 state-of-the-art guns (cannons, artillery pieces) crossed the Niemen River into Lithuania on its way to Moscow. The Russian Orthodox Patriarch of All the Russias, aware that the Russian Imperial Army could field a force only a fraction of this size, inexperienced and poorly equipped, called on the people to pray for deliverance and peace. The Russian people responded en masse, gathering in churches all across the Empire and offering their heartfelt prayers for divine intervention (the opening hymn). Next we hear the ominous notes of approaching conflict and preparation for battle with a hint of desperation but great enthusiasm, followed by the distant strains of La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem, as the French approach. Skirmishes follow, and the battle goes back and forth, but the French continue to advance and La Marseillaise becomes more prominent and victorious – almost invincible. The Tsar desperately appeals to the spirit of the Russian people in an eloquent plea to come forward and defend the Rodina (Motherland). As the people in their villages consider his impassioned plea, we hear traditional Russian folk music. La Marseillaise returns in force with great sounds of battle as the French approach Moscow. The Russian people now begin to stream out of their villages and towns toward Moscow to the increasing strains of folk music and, as they gather together, there is even a hint of celebration. Now, La Marseillaise is heard in counterpoint to the folk music as the great armies clash on the plains west of Moscow, and Moscow burns. Just at the moment that Moscow is occupied and all seems hopeless, the hymn that opens the piece is heard again as God intervenes, bringing an unprecedented deep freeze the French cannot bear (the winter winds blow in the music). The French attempt to retreat, but their guns, stuck in the freezing ground, are captured by the Russians and turned against them. Finally, the guns are fired in celebration and church bells all across the land peal in grateful honor of their deliverance from their treacherous and cruel enemies."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPlsru5luwQ

I think my favorite part is around the 7:30 mark which, if I interpret it correctly, is when "The Tsar desperately appeals to the spirit of the Russian people in an eloquent plea to come forward and defend the Rodina (Motherland). As the people in their villages consider his impassioned plea, we hear traditional Russian folk music."

Gives me the chills thinking of the poor and destitute rising up against a superior force to defend the Motherland. Here's to Mother Russia...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r3giYtDmTk

Learn_To_Know wrote: ...the 1812 Overture...

This reminds me of the time I spent learning and playing so many classical pieces in my middle school, high school, and in the Houston Youth Symphony. I played the Bass Trombone and I miss playing it, terribly. I've played pieces from some of the greats and I've played classics from the Pines of Rome (Pini di Roma) to Scheherazade to Die Fledermaus. I miss it much, but, as it were, I've moved on to the military and family life. I'd love to get with a group and play some more.

Pini di Roma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62V-ALlLZSg

I spent two days learning and trying to capture this on guitar to record and share with you guys. The guitar I have just doesn't do it justice... so I'll just post the original that inspired me, and maybe I'll try again another time. :dry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2-1u8xvk54

Storms in Africa II - Enya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uubCu-0ksvY

One of my favorite composers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBhjGIdL5cM

From one of my favorite animated films, redone by a great band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VUrskFjfhc