Well Tchaikowsky's Pathetique symphony passed the 100 replies mark, so let's see whhether this work is a useful point of discussion:
I have just been listening on R3 to a splendid performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and to say that it was impressive is understating my reaction.
I can honestly say that the horn parts in this work are the most difficult that I have ever been required to play. The writing for all the sections of the orchestra takes the players to the absolute limit as I can well bear witness, having played (and on a live broadcast) under Silvestri's baton (when you could see it) back in, I think, 1964.*
If you don't know the work, I urge you to Listen tomorrow on the BBC Iplayer.
To offer a little background:
Symphony Nº 7(The Leningrad) was a great success - not just with the general public, but with the Russian Authorities. The triumphant flag waving (think of Tchaik's 1812) was just what the government wanted, so when DSCH returned to serious symphonic writing with his Nº 8, his masters was not pleased. He was ordered to behave himself and write some "proper Russian" music.
So he cocked a snoop at them by writing the short but unspectacular Symphony Nº 9 before returning to more "acceptable" music for Nº 10 (The one that I always call "The Youth Orchestra Symphony" - they all attempt it with pretty ghastly results)
I have never been required to take part in any of the later symphonies, having left full scale orchestral playing in 1966, but no doubt they will arise somewhere in discussion and comparison on this thread.
An interesting point here which I was unaware of until today:
In the final movement of Nº 8, there is a sudden quotation from the "heroic" opening bars of Tchaikowsky's "Manfred" symphony. Listen out for it. (it's about 56 minutes in)
All comments and opinions welcomed.
HS
*No. It was 1965. I've just found my own recording, taken from our live broadcast from the Winter Gardens in Bournemouth
I have just been listening on R3 to a splendid performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and to say that it was impressive is understating my reaction.
I can honestly say that the horn parts in this work are the most difficult that I have ever been required to play. The writing for all the sections of the orchestra takes the players to the absolute limit as I can well bear witness, having played (and on a live broadcast) under Silvestri's baton (when you could see it) back in, I think, 1964.*
If you don't know the work, I urge you to Listen tomorrow on the BBC Iplayer.
To offer a little background:
Symphony Nº 7(The Leningrad) was a great success - not just with the general public, but with the Russian Authorities. The triumphant flag waving (think of Tchaik's 1812) was just what the government wanted, so when DSCH returned to serious symphonic writing with his Nº 8, his masters was not pleased. He was ordered to behave himself and write some "proper Russian" music.
So he cocked a snoop at them by writing the short but unspectacular Symphony Nº 9 before returning to more "acceptable" music for Nº 10 (The one that I always call "The Youth Orchestra Symphony" - they all attempt it with pretty ghastly results)
I have never been required to take part in any of the later symphonies, having left full scale orchestral playing in 1966, but no doubt they will arise somewhere in discussion and comparison on this thread.
An interesting point here which I was unaware of until today:
In the final movement of Nº 8, there is a sudden quotation from the "heroic" opening bars of Tchaikowsky's "Manfred" symphony. Listen out for it. (it's about 56 minutes in)
All comments and opinions welcomed.
HS
*No. It was 1965. I've just found my own recording, taken from our live broadcast from the Winter Gardens in Bournemouth
)
Comment