Volltext Seite (XML)
Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6 in B minor ‘Pathetique’, Op. 74 Allegro - Allegro non troppo Allegro con grazia Allegro molto vivace Finale: Adagio lamentoso - Andante By 1893, the last year of his life, Tchaikovsky had reached a pinnacle of success achieved by few other composers. His music was performed throughout Europe and America. He was in demand as a conductor, and was feted with honours such as the honorary doctorate awarded to him by Cambridge University during the summer of that year. Following the first performance of his opera Iolanta and ballet The Nutcracker in St. Petersburg during December 1892 Tchaikovsky travelled to Switzerland, and conducted concerts in Brussels and Odessa with great success. He returned to his house in Klin in February, set upon composing a new symphony. He began work on 4 ,h February and by 9 ,h February he had already fully sketched the first movement. In a letter to his nephew'Bob'Davidov to whom the Sixth Symphony is dedicated, and written on 11 ,h February when he was at work on the third movement, he outlined the origins of the work:'During the journey [to Odessa] the idea for a new symphony occurred to me, this time a Programme - symphony, but with a Programme that shall remain an enigma to all...This Programme is deeply subjective and while composing it in my mind and during the journey I often wept bitterly.' Tchaikovsky then went on to point out how technically the work would be novel: 'There will be much that is new as regards form in this symphony and, among other things, the finale will not be a loud Allegro but on the contrary, a most protracted Adagio! Notes found among his papers after his death indicate the general outline of the Programme of the new symphony.'The ultimate essence of the plan of the symphony is LIFE. First part- all impulsive passion, confidence, thirst for activity. Must be short. (Finale DEATH - result of collapse.) Second part love; third disappointments; fourth ends dying away (also short).' Following visits to Moscow and to Kharkov for further conducting engagements, Tchaikovsky resumed work on the symphony at Klin on 19 ,h March, and by 24 ,h March he had completed the symphony in sketch form. Further work was interrupted by more travels, including the trip to Cambridge to receive his doctorate. He enjoyed his visit to Cambridge'with its Colleges resembling monasteries and its peculiar customs and traditions which retain much from medieval times.' He returned to Klin on 20 ,h July and started on the Orchestration of the symphony Straight away, only to find it harder than he had expected.'The whole of today I sat over two pages - nothing seems to come as I want it. But nevertheless the work is progressing.'The Orchestration was eventually completed by 12 lh August. After inserting dynamics, phrasings and bowing with the help of the Violinist and composer Julius Konius,Tchaikovsky sent the score to his publisher Jurgenson on 20th August. Before the first performance, Safonov arranged a run-through with the orchestral dass of the Moscow Conservatoire, to discover any mistakes in the parts prior to the premiere.This took place in St. Petersburg on 16 ,h October 1893, with the composer conducting. The reception was in general guarded, but with some displays of enthusiasm.Tchaikovsky was disappointed, even though the press response was largely favourable. Eight days after this first performance Tchaikovsky was dead, in circumstances which remain unclear.The traditional view was that the cause of death was cholera, but an alternative theory put forward suggested that Tchaikovsky died of self-administered poison on the order of a 'court of honour'charged with ensuring that Tchaikovsky did not bring disgrace upon his old school.