Happy Birthday Tchaikovsky!

Today marks the 170th birthday of Peter Ilytch Tchaikovsky, famous Russian composer of romantic music.

In honor of his birthday, share your favorite works of his. Or, if you'd prefer, discuss one particular work and your thoughts on it. Or just talk about the man in general!

I have several favorite works of his considering he's #2 on my list of favorite composers. I think my favorite is Cappricio Italien, though Symphonies Nos. 2, 4, 6, Overture 1812, March Slave, and are all close. I think Swan Lake as some interesting moments but features some of his worst orchestration IMO, but that makes sense because it was early in his career. Indeed, his 6th Symphony has some AMAZING orchestration choices, so he clearly learned his stuff gradually, not all at once at conservatory. I got the bio on his life too; haven't finished it yet, but he seems to have had a very interesting personal family life. A bit of an eccentric too, but then again, what classical music composer isn't eccentric?

It's very nice of you that you posted this. Happy birthday to him! Though he isn't on the same place in my list as in yours, I respect him and some of his works, incl. his 6th.

As for his eccentricity... Well, it depends on the observer, I guess, but for me, personally, one of his most prominent personality features is his insecurity, his extreme self-criticism. Nevertheless, many people involved in art often tend to be perceived as somewhat eccentric by the general population, probably because of their individualism, creative thinking, openness, etc. Also, this is generally true for the great scientific minds.

BTW, I'd say everyone learns gradually, no matter if formally or not. Conservatory, university, college, etc. are not the end of learning / development, nor some kind of 'know-it-all' marking, no matter in what area. Which reminds me of Hindemith's quote: "My God, how can anyone ever be a master of music?". :P

I studied his Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture in Grade 11 and I've been in love with it ever since. Such masterful writing.

The Nutcracker has SO many memorable, well-written melodies it blows my mind. I go see the performance thinking I'll only know a couple of songs, and I know all of them!

Happy Bday, Tcahikovsky!

-John

Don't forget poor Brahms!! The two born on the same day, 7 years apart.. what are the odds.

My favourite piece of his would have to be Swan Lake. It had a massive effect on me when I saw it for the first time :happy:

I think the more important event on this day would be Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 premiere in Vienna 1824.

Wow, not only did Beethoven premiere his 9th Symphony on this date... but also his mammoth Missa Solemnis! Now those are 2 things I'll be celebrating today!

And here's to another 170 years of him being dead!

Why celebrate 170 years again? Isn't it better to do it every 100 years? Or do people just don't want to wait around?

As for the composer itself, poor guy. But honestly I've literally walked out on every single performance I've heard from him so it's not like I care.

This is shaping out to be quite the day to remember!

His Fantasy-Overture, Romeo and Juliet, is by far one of the most intricate compositions he wrote, and I love it. Following this would be his symphonies, then his piano works, then his ballet music. We can't forget his 1812 overture

My little birthday present to him (and others).

lol @ downvoting. Did I hit a nerve? Hahahaha.

lol @ downvoting. Did I hit a nerve? Hahahaha.

Speaking of which, I'd like to know the psycho-semi-stalker-weirdo who keeps down-voting Tokke's posts for absolutely no reason :blink:

My favorite Tchaikovsky work is his "Serenade for Strings" and then the first three movements of the 6th Symphony ... the march is hilarious and i liked the orchestration in the first two movements. The last movement, well shows Tchaikovsky's weaknesses.

I don't listen to much Tchaikovsky though - I find a good deal of his music both technically and artistically can be a one trick pony with its over the top emotionalism at the cost of compositional technique.

My favorite Tchaikovsky work is his "Serenade for Strings" and then the first three movements of the 6th Symphony ... the march is hilarious and i liked the orchestration in the first two movements. The last movement, well shows Tchaikovsky's weaknesses.

That's interesting. Why do you say that?

Speaking of which, I'd like to know the psycho-semi-stalker-weirdo who keeps down-voting Tokke's posts for absolutely no reason :blink:

Lol I've noticed that recently too :hmmm:

Well the crying string motif is repeated ad neauseum in the last movement with the quieter more neutral textures and sounds from the other choirs. And since the repeat of this leitmotif is so literal (eg practically the same motivic pattern throughout) I find this strategy diminishes over time the novelty of the orchestration and motive rather quickly due to its short duration.

NOW, serenade for Strings, he does introduce immediately a melodic pattern that acts as a leitmotif but as it is a longer line and has a little greater registral variety, and finally is not repeated as much, I think this works very very well, the "emotional" impact remains fresher than the crying/sighing motif in the last movement of the 6th symphony.

I see what you mean. But obviously, you and Tchaikovsky hold different views here, neither of which is 'the correct one'. I suppose, though, that he has had his reasons for this choice and could explain it, even if they are mostly emotional, in which I don't see anything inherently bad.