This Russian composer is rightly noted for his '1812 Overture'.

• A. Borodin
• B. Mussorgsky
• C. Rimsky-Korsakov
• D. Tchaikovsky

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing which composer is linked to a famous, programmatic orchestral piece. The 1812 Overture is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s work, composed to celebrate Russia’s defense against Napoleon’s invasion. It’s well known for its dramatic build and climaxes, sometimes including cannon blasts and church bells in performances to emphasize the historical showdown it depicts. The other composers listed are notable for different works—Borodin for pieces like Prince Igor, Mussorgsky for Pictures at an Exhibition and Night on Bald Mountain, Rimsky-Korsakov for Scheherazade and The Flight of the Bumblebee—so they’re not the ones associated with this overture.