Is there a version of Tchaikovsky 1812 overture without bells?

Question

Is there a version of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture without the stupid bells during the climax? Every version I find has the bells as well as the cannon fire. For the love of God, can someone make a version without the cannons and bells?

Answer 1

HI, at home I have 3 different recordings of the 1812 and I don't hear in either of them the cannons. The bells are present in 2 recordings, but I'm afraid that in the third the reason of the missing bells is that the recording is on a "cheap" CD (here, in my country in every shopping mall you can buy "classical masterpieces" for approx. 2 $) and perhaps the orchestra didn't have time to find a player or I don't know.

However, I think that bells can sound very well (it depends on the quality because I heard a version where the bells sounded like doorbells...). The ending of "1812" is composed to be as spectacular as possible (for the sake of God, symphonic orchestra + military band...), so to achieve this effect, even the bells are needed. But it's only my opinion, if you would like a version without "accessories", I can send it (the "cheap" version) to you, just write to me.  

Answer 2

     They are not to suppose to.  Tchaikovsky's score calls for all these; it was written as a celebratory composition, to be performed out of doors, and should be viewed in this context.

      One needs to remember, that during the 19th/early 20th centuries, electronic sound amplification was not available: so that "bombastic" means were necessary for him to achieve his intent.

                                                    Alberich