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(Mis?)Interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony “Pathétique”

by Preston Griffith Just days before his death on November 6, 1893, Tchaikovsky premiered his Sixth Symphony “Pathétique” in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This symphony would become known as his greatest, yet most pessimistic work, and the composer himself stated that he loved the Sixth Symphony “as I have never loved any of my other musicalContinue reading “(Mis?)Interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony “Pathétique””

Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 4 “Mozartiana”

by Preston Griffith Tchaikovsky first had the idea of composing a suite from the works of Mozart in 1884 while he was working on the recitatives and translation of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. He was enamored with Mozart’s compositions and played them on the keyboard in his free time. After a few years, heContinue reading “Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 4 “Mozartiana””

Did Tchaikovsky’s Music Come From Experience?

By Preston Griffith Could Tchaikovsky’s work have been taken from his own lived experience? To make a direct connection from his life experience to his compositions would be considered a biographical fallacy. Craig White, professor of Literature at University of Houston Clear Lake, defines the Biographical Fallacy as “the belief that a work of fictionContinue reading “Did Tchaikovsky’s Music Come From Experience?”

Nadezhda von Meck and Pyotr Tchaikovsky

by Preston Griffith The relationship between Nadezhda von Meck and Pyotr Tchaikovsky began with correspondence in 1876. Tchaikovsky was age 36 and unmarried and had reached a turning point in his career. He was becoming dissatisfied with his job at the Moscow Conservatory, and had previously composed his first three symphonies and orchestral works likeContinue reading “Nadezhda von Meck and Pyotr Tchaikovsky”

Tchaikovsky’s Second Work for Violin and Orchestra, Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34

by Preston Griffith Tchaikovsky(Right) and his pupil, the violinist Iosif Kotek(Left). Tchaikovsky’s Valse Scherzo, Op. 34, composed in 1877, was his second work composed for solo violin and orchestra. The piece is one movement, Allegro Tempo di Valse, and is about six to nine minutes in length. The Valse Scherzo is dedicated to Tchaikovsky’s formerContinue reading “Tchaikovsky’s Second Work for Violin and Orchestra, Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34”

Tchaikovsky’s Sérénade mélancolique

By Preston Griffith In February of 1875, Tchaikovsky composed his first work for solo violin and orchestra, Sérénade mélancolique, op. 26. The piece was dedicated to Leopold Auer, one of the greatest Russian Violinists and an extremely successful teacher, but he delayed the piece’s premier. Adolf Brodsky was the first to play the piece nearlyContinue reading “Tchaikovsky’s Sérénade mélancolique”

The Myth of Paganini and the Devil

Picture: Getty Drawing by a Viennese caricaturist of Paganini “fiddling devilishly, surrounded by symbols of black magic- in the background a swooning woman, vague supernatural beasts, and a ring of dancing skeletons.” In an article written in 1939 by The Musical Times, Joanne Holbrook concludes that “We are unable today to offer any more adequateContinue reading “The Myth of Paganini and the Devil”