Performing Forces, Melody, Texture, and Form

The Russian hymn "Spasi, Gospodi, Iyudi Tvoya" ("O Lord, Save Thy People") is performed in the strings

The music morphs into a more suspenseful style creating tension of possible upcoming conflict.

An energetic, disjunct style portrays an attack from the French. Brief motives of La Marseillaise (the French national anthem) are heard. The energy continues to build. The tension diminishes.

A reference to a lyrical section is heard contrasting the previous war scene.

A traditional Russian folk-dance tune "U vorot" ("At the gate") is introduced.

The energetic conflicting melodies are reintroduced depicting conflict.

The lyrical peaceful tune is reintroduced.

The folk dance is reintroduced.

The French Marseillaise motive appears again in the horns. Tension and energy again build.

Percussion and even real cannons are used to depict the climax of the war conflict. This followed by a musical loss of tension through descending and broadening lines in the strings.

The Russian Hymn is heard again in victory with the accompaniment of all the church bells in celebration commemorating victory throughout Russia.

The music excels portraying a hasty French retreat.

The Russian anthem with cannons/percussion overpowers the French theme, The church bells join in again symbolic of the Russian victory.