Tchaikovsky’s Festival Coronation March
Notes by TŌN violinist Enoch Ng
Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s Festival Coronation March was composed in the spring of 1883. It was commissioned by the Mayor of Moscow for the coronation of Tsar Alexander III of Russia. The piece was meant for a public performance in Sokolniky Park and intended to be a ceremonial work with fanfare in the brass portraying an atmosphere of grandeur and authority.
Although Tchaikovsky was initially inclined to turn down this commission, he accepted, not wanting to reject Alexander III, who was a great admirer of his music. To demonstrate the extent of this admiration, Alexander III and members of the imperial family often attended Tchaikovsky’s operas and ballets; they even bought new editions of his music to enjoy at home. Recognition from the royal family further defined Tchaikovsky’s career: he was awarded the Order of Saint Vladimir Fourth Class, granted a lifetime pension, and received a ring from the Emperor. Given these facts, it becomes easier to understand why Tchaikovsky ultimately accepted the commission for the march despite his personal reservations.
The Festival Coronation March includes the Russian anthem “God Save the Tsar”, as well as quotations from the Danish royal anthem “Kong Christian stod ved højen mast”, acknowledging the Danish origins of Empress Maria Fyodorovna. Tchaikovsky’s use of melodies in a similar manner could be seen in his 1812 Overture, composed the previous year (1882) to commemorate Russia’s defeat of Napoleon. The 1812 Overture begins and ends with the Russian Orthodox prayer “Lord, Preserve Thy People”, and includes the French anthem “La Marseillaise”, Russian folksong, and “God Save the Tsar”. Thus, Tchaikovsky represents the two warring sides through pre-existing tunes.
During the Soviet era, performances of the march notably omitted “God Save the Tsar”, replacing it with alternate thematic material taken from other sections of the piece. Though intended for ceremonial use, Tchaikovsky’s Festival Coronation March enjoys a status as a popular concert piece.