jmc's classics
October 28th is the anniversary of the primer of Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony. It has been nicked named "Pathetique" or pathetic which took place in 1893, shortly before the composer's death. He wrote six numbered symphonies plus the Manfred Symphony.
Beethoven wrote a piano sonata also called Pathetique in 1799 (Opus#13). As of now I have not yet heard it. I am not into solo piano music. This piece may have been inspired by Mozart's Piano sonata (K457) from 1784. Both are in the C minor key. Although I have not heard either one as I understand that both are melancholy in nature. Tchaikovsky died nine days after the premier of this work. It is one of his most famous works along with his ballets: Swan Lake, Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. His first three symphonies are not as popular. I like all of his symphonies. The reason for the title "Pathetic" remains a mystery. Tchaikovsky wanted to call it the "program" symphony. It is not known why it was given this name because Tchaikovsky never revealed it. He began working on it in 1891. He called the work "the best thing that he had composed". There are melancholy elements in it. The symphony is about death. It is in the standard four movements: Adagio: Allegro mon troppo, Allegro con grazia, Allegro molto vivace and Adagio lamentoso. It lasts about 45 minutes. There are many excellent recordings of this work. The one that I have is of Charles Munch conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It is coupled wiht Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture. It is on the RCA label and dates from 1967.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
May 2024
Categories |