Over the past 145 years, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” has been used to celebrate July 4th, sell cereal and astound movie audiences. It’s been sampled and spoofed, with ...

MONTAGNE: Those are the opening notes of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker." Thousands of musicians and dancers all over America perform it during the holidays.