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TCHAIKOVSKY IN THE 1880'S
HIS RISE TO FAME
By 1879, the composer was free from the confinements that shackled his earlier life. He had already resigned his professorship at the Moscow Conservatory of Music. During the Russian summers, he sojourned at Kamenka, the country home of the Davydovs, ( his sister and brother-in-law). He was also invited to Brailov, the country estate of his patroness who would be deliberately absent during his visit. When she was in residence, he would be invited to Simaki, her summer cottage. The schedule of visits were designed so that neither would meet, as agreed in their relationships. Once, by accident, they did meet. Not a word was exchanged, nor was there any reference of this unexpected meeting written in their cross correspondence.
The main purpose of these country visits was to provide the composer with the peace and quiet to create new music and to revise music composed from earlier years such as The 2nd ("Little Russian") Symphony and the "Romeo and Juliet" Fantasy Overture. He also completed his best known opera "Eugene Onegin" during this time.
Peace and quiet was essential to him. He ultimately rented a country home near the village of Klin, which is associated with later days of composing.
Tchaikovsky's country home
at Klin, which is now a museum
The composer was free to travel. As he loved Italy, he took a trip to Rome in 1880. Here, he composed his celebrated Capriccio Italienne, Opus 45. His skill at introducing and blending melodies and dances, from local regions, whether it be Russian or Italian, into a symphonic whole was an important part of his genius.
The Coliseum of Rome
Days and nights in Rome inspired
the Capriccio Italienne.
With his mind at rest, Tchaikovsky's creativity, gave rise to many of his masterpieces. Upon returning to Russia, the splendid Serenade for Strings in C, Opus 48, was composed at the estate of his patroness during the same summer. The famous waltz (2nd movement), enjoys a never to be forgotten melody. Many music lovers believe that the composer only composed the one and only famous piano concerto(No. 1, opus 23) that Rubinstein earlier condemned. By 1880, he had composed another; Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Opus 44, which is shamefully overlooked by its earlier predecessor. Look to hear this radically different, but equally beautiful concerto. It's haunting!
Tchaikovsky wrote many compositions in various forms. Like Mozart, he was eager to compose operas. He composed many, but most have been nearly forgotten and rarely performed. Of the eleven composed, Eugene Onegin and later in 1890, La Pique Dame(the Queen of Spades,) Opus 68,both based on Pushkin's novel, are given performances today.
But it was the composer's instrumental works that made him shine in the light of immortality. As the years passed, his music's popularity spread beyond Russia throughout all of Europe. Ultimately, his self confidence guided him into conducting, which to his personal preference, gave him the opportunity to travel. This amplified his popularity.
Peter, The Great planted the seeds of Russian nationalism, which took a century to grow. By the middle of the 1800's, nationalism for Russian culture, particularly her music had become rampant. This was in part thanks to Tchaikovsky. By the 1880's, other Russian names were beginning to be known. Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov, Cesar Cui, Alexander Borodin, Modest Mussorgsky, and Alexander Balakirev were formers of a circle known as "the five", a movement to further popularize the Russian folk music idiom as "serious" music. Tchaikovsky was asked to join, but felt that his love for Russia as a composer was to blend Russian music with the classical training that he had received in his education.
THE FIFTH SYMPHONY - 1888
Ten years had elapsed since he had composed a symphony. This is not to say that he was not creating music. He had been occupied composing music in almost every conceivable form. Through the years, he had an idea of a new symphony in mind. The Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Opus 64 incorporates some of the most beautiful melodies that came from his pen. Structurally, the Fifth Symphony is unique, utilizing the same theme being referred to all four movements. His mastery at scoring for a full symphony orchestra and using this theme as an "idee fixee" gives the entire symphony the concept of a total singular unit.
listener's guide
The dominant theme is first heard in the opening bars of the first movement in a subdued minor key. This is followed by a woeful sounding march, also performed in a minor key. The march theme becomes more animated, agitating itself into a frenzy. The string section takes over, introducing lively new theme. This leads to a second melody singing a nostalgic like passage to lead to a lively and dramatic development. As the restless development reaches its peak, a "reminder" of the dominant theme is uttered by the brass section. The movement concludes with the first theme marching into oblivion.
The second movement, or Andante Cantabile, is one of the most famous orchestral pieces ever performed. There are two incomparably beautiful themes, whose melodies never fail to inspire. They are linked by a powerful development section, which again reminds the listening audience of the dominant "idee fixee" theme. The third movement is a lilting waltz, punctuated with a playful counter theme development. The movement concludes with another "reminder" of the dominant theme. In the fourth movement, the dominant theme is also the main theme. The listener might think of the movement as a battle scenario, where the theme harmonically clashes with other militaristic themes. The dominant theme marches triumphantly on to a victorious finale that only Tchaikovsky could conceive.
THE FINALE OF A BELOVED FRIENDSHIP
By 1890, the love affair in letter writing between the composer and patroness had prevailed for 12 years. The composer, world famous, was wealthy in his own rite. In that year, however, he received a final letter from Nadejda Philaretvna Von Meck announcing that she could no longer relate to him for a reason that still remains a mystery today. She asked in writing, "do not forget". Of course, Tchaikovsky would not. True, he was heart broken, but she had given him a most precious gift, which he, in turn would give to the music loving world, which was the fulfillment of his genius. Saddened, he would continue with the last three years of his life.
By 1890, he was reaching his zenith. Click...
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