Tchaikovsky’s Festival Coronation March, and ‘Moscow’ Coronation Cantata, conducted by Andrew Wailes

This performance was filmed live in concert on Saturday 30 July, 2022 in Melbourne Town Hall. Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s (1840-1893) Festival Coronation March is a majestic orchestral work commissioned by the city of Moscow for the coronation of Tsar Alexander III in 1883. It was first performed on June 4, 1883 in the Sokolniki-Park (Moscow). The music includes excerpts from the national anthem of the Russian Empire, God save the Tsar! (Bozje, Tsarja chrani!), which Tchaikovsky also treated in his famous 1812 Overture, as well as in the Slavonic March. He also composed the great ‘Moscow’ Cantata in 1883 to mark the Coronation of Emperor Alexander III. Set to an epic poem by Apollon Maikov (1821-1897), the lavishly scored music is regarded by many as some of the most grandiose music that Tchaikovsky ever wrote. RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes conducts the RMP Choir and Orchestra, and soloists Sally-Anne Russell, and Christopher Hillier in a rare performance of this dramatic musical panorama of Russian history, from the foundation of Moscow to the enthronement of the first Tsar. It is possible that this was the first full-scale performance of the work in Australia sung in Russian. Andrew Wailes, conductor Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo-soprano Christopher Hillier, bass-baritone Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra 00:00:32 1. Festival Coronation March (Tchaikovsky) 00:06:49 2. Coronation Cantata “Moscow“ for Emperor Alexander III (1883) I. Introduction and Chorus («С мала ключика...»). Andante religioso (A major) 00:13:22 3. II. Arioso («То не звездочка...»). Moderato con moto (D major) 00:16:19 4. III. Chorus («Час ударил жданный...»). Allegro (D major) 00:18:49 5. IV. Monologue and Chorus («Уж как из лесу...»). Moderato—Largo (B minor) 00:24:34 6.V. Arioso («Мне ли, господи...»). Andante molto sostenuto (E-flat minor) 00:28:41 . Finale («По Руси пошёл сиук и гром большой...»). Moderato con moto (D major) 00:35:31 7. Presentation of flowers and Credits (Reprise of Tchaikovsky’s Festive Coronation March)