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TCHAIKOVSKY AND HIS TIMES
by
RICHARD ERLANGER
A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES
FROM MOZART TO TCHAIKOVSKY
(for a look at 18th Century Europe, go to Mozart's World)
The 18th century that Mozart belonged to was a time when artistic success was endowed by kings, queens and emperors, who were very much in charge of their kingdoms' political resources. Tchaikovsky's 19th century belonged to a time of immense political change, in which the authority of royal sovereigns greatly diminished. The slowest of these changes were occurring in Russia.
HIS RUSSIA
The history of Russia is associated with the dynasties of the
Tsars, some of whom were very ruthless, as well as ambitious and
tyrannical. Isolated from Western Europe caused by distance, serfdom,
internal politics and intrigues, it was not until 1709 when Tsar Peter, The
Great established St. Petersburg as Russia's new capital. St. Petersburg
was founded as an architectural and cultural mirror of other European
capitals to enhance commerce and culture. It was for this reason that St.
Petersburg was referred to as the "Window to the West". Yet
Russia, as a country of classical musical output was creatively dormant.
That would ultimately change within the next 150 years.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, Russia on May 10, 1840, 49 years after the death of Mozart. He came from an upper middle class family, as pictured below.
The Tchaikovsky family
in 1848. Peter is
standing at the left.
As he grew up, his father wanted him to be a lawyer and he complied by graduating from the School of Jurisprudence in St. Petersburg. Although he completed a successful academic attendance, his thoughts and creativity switched to music, and it was not long thereafter, he attended the music conservatory in Moscow, under the directorship of Nicholas Rubinstein.
Peter in 1860
Peter in 1866, as a
teacher at
the Moscow Conservatory of
Music.
EARLY LIFE AND MUSIC
After his graduation at the Moscow Conservatory, he was given a teacher's position for earning a livelihood. His true desire was to compose, rather than teach music. He began dabbling with composition in 1865, by struggling with his first ambitious project. A symphony, no less.
The Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, "Winter Reveries",Opus l3, was completed in 1866 at the personal cost of a near nervous breakdown. It was first performed in 1868. Although it is rarely performed, this work is truly a gem of early Tchaikovsky, abundant with mood pictures and folk music.
"Romeo and Juliet" Fantasy Overture was originally composed in 1869, but was revised several times until its present day concert version was first performed in 1870.
Symphony No. 2 in C minor "Little Russian" Opus 17. This richly textured symphony was composed in 1872, and then revised in 1879. Of the three earlier symphonies, the "Little Russian" stands out because of its harmonious blend of Russian folk music in symphonic style. The staccato march movement (3rd movement) is an ear catcher. The finale (4th movement) is a marvelous theme and variations on a folk tune, entitled "The Crane".
Swan Lake Ballet, Opus 20 was begun in 1875. Based on a German fairy tale, the ballet was first performed in 1876. The three act ballet met only with moderate success, and gathered dust for the next few years.
Nicholas Rubinstein
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor, Opus 23, was completed in 1875 after a year's endeavor. There is a legendary story regarding the composer's first performing the piano version before Nicholas Rubinstein. On first hearing, Christmas Eve, 1874, Rubinstein "trashed" the piece with unkind and ruthless criticism, attesting to that the piece was disorganized, unplayable and very unprofessional. The young composer, although hurt, believed in its ultimate success, and in 1875, the concerto was successfully received at its first performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra with Hans Bulow as soloist. Today, it is probably the most frequently performed piano concerto piece in the concert hall repertory.
Symphony No. 3 in D major, "Polish Symphony", Opus 36 was composed in 1875. It is a charming symphony with wonderful melodies and passages, including its soulful adagio movement. However, it is the least performed of any of the composer's 6 symphonies, which may be due to its lack of musical decisiveness. It was never revised and was first performed in 1875.
In 1877, a series of personal events of incredible proportions led the composer to almost end his life and his sanity, but would ultimately lead to his fruition of the mature composer and world traveler. To find out more, click....
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