Tchaikovsky: Slavie March, Op.31

Introduction

The Marche slave (French pronunciation: ​[/maʁʃ slav/]) in B-flat minor, Op. 31 (published as Slavonic March) or Serbo-Russian March (Serbian Cyrillic: Словенски марш / Српско-руски марш, Slovenski marsh / Srpsko-ruski marsh, Russian: Славя́нский марш / Сербско-русский марш, Slavyanskiy marsh / Serbsko-russkiy marsh) or Slavic March is an orchestral tone poem by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky published in October 1876.

Background

In June 1876, Serbia and the Ottoman Empire were engaged in the Serbo-Turkish War (1876–78). Russia openly supported Serbia. The Russian Musical Society commissioned an orchestral piece from Tchaikovsky for a concert in aid of the Red Cross Society, and ultimately for the benefit of wounded Serbian veterans.^[1][2] Many Russians sympathized with their fellow Slavs and Orthodox Christians and sent volunteer soldiers and aid to assist Serbia.

Tchaikovsky referred to the piece as his "Serbo-Russian March" while writing it. It was premiered in Moscow on November 17 [O.S. November 5] 1876, conducted by Nikolai Rubinstein.

The march is highly programmatic in its form and organization. The first section describes the oppression of the Serbs by the Turks. It uses two Serbian folk songs, "Sunce jarko, ne sijaš jednako" (Bright sun, you do not shine equally),^[3] by Isidor Ćirić and "Rado ide Srbin u vojnike" (Gladly does the Serb become a soldier),^[4] by Josip Runjanin - giving way to the second section in the relative major key, which describes the Russians rallying to help the Serbs. This is based on a simple melody with the character of a rustic dance which is passed around the orchestra until finally it gives way to a solemn statement of the Russian national anthem "God Save the Tsar". The third section of the piece is a repeat of Tchaikovsky's furious orchestral climax, reiterating the Serbian cry for help. The final section describes the Russian volunteers marching to assist the Serbs. It uses a Russian tune, this time in the tonic major key and includes another blazing rendition of "God Save the Tsar" prophesying the triumph of the Slavonic people over tyranny. The overture finishes with a virtuoso coda for the full orchestra.

The piece is frequently paired in performance with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," which also quotes "God Save the Tsar."

Instrumentation

The march is scored for two flutes, two piccolos, two oboes, two clarinets in B flat, two bassoons, four horns in F, two cornets in B flat, two trumpets in B flat, three trombones (two tenor, one bass), tuba, three timpani, snare drum, cymbals, bass drum, tamtam, and strings.

Notable recordings

• Sir Adrian Boult conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Antal Doráti conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Charles Dutoit conducting the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
• Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic
• Bernard Haitink conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam
• Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Leonard Slatkin conducting the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
• Leopold Stokowski conducting the London Symphony Orchestra
• Neeme Järvi conducting the Gothenburg Symphony
• Leonard Bernstein conducting the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
• Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra
• Gennady Rozhdestvensky conducting the London Symphony Orchestra
• Valery Gergiev conducting the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra

Legacy

A theme from Marche slave was used by Accept in the title song for their album Metal Heart. The piece has since been covered by Dimmu Borgir.

The piece was featured in the 2015 videogame Fallout 4.

The piece was also used in the game Age of Ancient Empires.

A remixed version of the piece was arranged by Ridiculon in the 2017 game The End is Nigh.