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As a composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was greatly influenced by the prevailing sentiment of nationalism among top Russian composers. From 1876 to 1890 Tchaikovsky was supported by a wealthy patron, which allowed him the opportunity to produce a great deal of work, especially operas. He was a supreme master of orchestral color and used traditional Russian material, although it is shrouded in Western art music tradition. His 1812 overture, first performed in 1882, is a graphic musical description of the forced retreat of Napoleon’s armies from Moscow.