# Seeking ID for classical tune often used in historical scenes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 5, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693 "2010-09-05T16:28:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kim\_jung\_il](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/1 "2010-09-05T16:28:18Z")
I always recollect this piece as being used with footage of Communist Russia or World War I in Europe, but this may be a mistake of the memory. I have absolutely no idea what it is, who wrote it, or anything else. It is fairly well-known, as I’ve heard it in lots of different programs. I’m not musical at all, but have tried websites which search a few bars, with no avail. Help me please. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/2 "2010-09-05T16:42:23Z")
Any more information? Is it strings, horns, percussion, full orchestra or what? Is it fast or slow? Does it sound happy, sad, regal etc.? Can you be more specific than just Communist Russia/WWI in Europe. Is it used for battle scenes, general pictures, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/3 "2010-09-05T17:30:05Z")
Still, wouldn’t it be awesome to guess it right anyway? ([this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy84N_U5jw0) starting at 1:30) ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/4 "2010-09-05T17:47:38Z")
Tchaikovsky’s [Slavonic March](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5poSw7tFLB4), particularly the first few minutes, has become one of the foremost “Russian sounding” pieces used in documentaries and movies (to the point of cliche IMO, though I like the piece). It uses a number of Russian and Serbian folk melodies. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/5 "2010-09-05T17:51:29Z")
O Fortuna (Carmina Burana)? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BNWpZ-Y_KvU/hqdefault.jpg "O Fortuna (Carmina Burana) (Lyrics)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNWpZ-Y_KvU) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/6 "2010-09-05T20:34:06Z")
[Meadowland](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7zqfaiWV6M) and [Song of the Volga Boatmen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfsWoNpHg2s&feature=related) are used a lot for Russia. ---
**Author:** ![kim\_jung\_il](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/7 "2010-09-06T16:11:01Z")
No winner yet! The piece is orchestral and is instrumental only. It sounds like it is mainly violins and the wind section. In comparison with previous posts above, this tune is used more often that these (O Fortuna aside). I may be wrong thinking it is Russian, but to me it sounds very Russian. Come on guys, I know you can help me 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/8 "2010-09-06T17:27:18Z")
It’s not an instrumental version of [the Soviet National Anthem](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91kdwxFsthI) is it? ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/9 "2010-09-06T18:15:32Z")
I doubt it’s this, but [the finale of the 1812 overture](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNatwyAJ6dI#t=2m38s) includes the (anachronistic) Russian national anthem. God knows it’s one of the most famous pieces in the history of ever. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/10 "2010-09-06T23:25:06Z")
My guess is that it’s by Tchaikovsky, but there are so many to pick from. Or possible Prokofiev? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/11 "2010-09-06T23:41:23Z")
You may want to check out [this recent-ish thread](http://boardstest.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=562670) that had some of the same suggestions and some different. ---
**Author:** ![kim\_jung\_il](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/12 "2010-09-07T06:11:07Z")
As you already may have guessed, my knowledge of classical music is extremely poor. It is none of the above, so I’m thinking the Russian angle may not be correct. It’s not an instrumental version of something as I’ve never heard it with lyrics! It’s always just orchestral, mainly strings. It is as famous as the 1812 Overture. Hell, I’ve heard it so many times, I just can’t remember where exactly. I’m going to try one of those websites that you key in the riff. I’ve tried before and had no luck but will try again. ---
**Author:** ![Promethea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Promethea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Promethea)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/13 "2010-09-07T06:57:51Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Or possible Prokofiev? That’s what I thought of. [Romeo and Juliet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI9akyHz_wc), possibly. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/14 "2010-09-07T07:07:16Z")
I’ve known [this famous theme from Swan Lake](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ea90L91eZk) to be used in documentaries. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/15 "2010-09-07T07:51:06Z")
Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RRMz8fKkG2g/hqdefault.jpg "Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, op.11") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMz8fKkG2g) ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/16 "2010-09-07T07:56:39Z")
[Russian Sailor’s Dance by Reinhold Gliere](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJgZ-GiPlvM) ---
**Author:** ![kim\_jung\_il](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/17 "2010-09-07T08:15:45Z")
Prokofiev!!! Thank you so much!! Is it Russian? :smack: Thank you everyone for all your help. I shall now go, listen and de-stress. I love this forum 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/18 "2010-09-07T08:28:28Z")
Prokofiev was as Russian as they get. He’s probably most famous for [Peter and the Wolf](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpoizq-jjxs), although he wrote plenty of terrific stuff. ---
**Author:** ![kim\_jung\_il](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/19 "2010-09-07T10:05:40Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Prokofiev was as Russian as they get. He’s probably most famous for [Peter and the Wolf](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpoizq-jjxs), although he wrote plenty of terrific stuff. I’m delighted that I was right with the Russian influence. TBH I have never heard of him, although I have heard of Peter and the Wolf. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693/20 "2010-09-07T10:54:30Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m delighted that I was right with the Russian influence. Wait, how do you know it’s by Prokofiev if you don’t know what piece it is yet? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-id-for-classical-tune-often-used-in-historical-scenes/552693.md?page=2)