Did Tchaikovsky use a chorus in the 1812 Overture?

[navneeth]

I've only heard two different renditions of the 1812. One of them by the Cincinati Pops/Kunzel, which is often played on B.com (I'm not sure if the one played today was the same...somehow the "cannons" didn't sound the same), while the other is by the NYPO/Bernstien. The latter does not contain any vocals, and I was under the impression that Bernstein wished to differ from tradition until I came across this at Wikipedia...

In the mid-1960s, Igor Buketoff wrote an arrangement of the "1812 Overture" with chorus. The opening segment was sung by voices as a sung chant instead of being played by cellos and violas, the children's chorus was added to the Flute and Cor Anglais, and the full chorus was mixed into the winds—the entire orchestra, in fact—in the closing segment.

So is Bernstein's the more "traditional" performance of the two?


P.S. To those in the US: How many times did you hear the 1812 today?

[bignaf]

i managed to avoid it.

I know the beginning is a quote of an Eastern orthdox church thingy. so male and chilkdren choir is fitting. I have one with chorus and one without. the one with chorus has it only in the beginning.

[navneeth]

For some reason I prefer the version with the vocals. It's probably because I was introduced to the 1812 that way, and also I've heard more of that version than the other.

[shostakovich]

This is from Dai Bread.

"My understanding is that PIT used folk and church music to represent the Russian people. This being so, it seems to be a reasonable extension of the original to put in voices to sing those parts of the overture, even though PIT didn't write it that way.

I also prefer the vocal version. It seems closer to the composer's portrait of a human struggle."


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Years ago I happened on the Buketoff version. It was a revelation. It's my favorite version for pacing, balance, and overall interpretation. I found it on a library record, and committed it to tape. Consequently, the sound quality (surface noise) leaves a lot to be desired. Yet, I still play it for the most satisfying performance.

What choral versions do others recommend?
Shos

[navneeth]

This is from Dai Bread.

It seems closer to the composer's portrait of a human struggle.

That I think is the primary reason why I like that version.

Years ago I happened on the Buketoff version. It was a revelation. It's my favorite version for pacing, balance, and overall interpretation. I found it on a library record, and committed it to tape. Consequently, the sound quality (surface noise) leaves a lot to be desired. Yet, I still play it for the most satisfying performance.
Shos

I wonder if it's available on a CD. *Goes off to search*

EDIT: Here's one.