Tchaikovsky - time to rehabilitate?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As far as I know, the choral contribution is modern. It first appeared in a version of the score prepared by Igor Buketoff c. 1960.

There was a 1950s recording of 1812 that began with an unaccompanied male voice choir. When that Russian hymn returned at the end, it was purely orchestral, but the Russian anthem was sung. I think the conductor may have been Fricsay.

[Petrushka]

There are no choral options in my score.

I have to confess that I've never seen the score of the 1812 Overture. Given the variety of effects (cannon, bells, military band) that add to the final tumult does Tchaikovsky actually notate his precise wishes in the score? Does he just say, for instance, 'cannon' at the appropriate moment without any indication of what it is that he wants? Or did he expect the real thing to be produced? And how is it to be achieved - according to the score - in the concert hall as opposed to the open air?

Finally, as far as recordings are concerned, which one (big question!) comes closest to what Tchaikovsky would have expected in that final tumult?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have to confess that I've never seen the score of the 1812 Overture. Given the variety of effects (cannon, bells, military band) that add to the final tumult does Tchaikovsky actually notate his precise wishes in the score? Does he just say, for instance, 'cannon' at the appropriate moment without any indication of what it is that he wants? Or did he expect the real thing to be produced? And how is it to be achieved - according to the score - in the concert hall as opposed to the open air?

Finally, as far as recordings are concerned, which one (big question!) comes closest to what Tchaikovsky would have expected in that final tumult?

It's just scored as another percussion instrument. The cannon was never used at the premiere. The bass drum continued to be the practical substitute until Dorati's first (mono) recording in the early 1950s.

[Stanfordian]

I would have thought that Tchaikovsky's extremely popular music was one of the composers in least need of rehabilitation.

[Beef Oven!]

I would have thought that Tchaikovsky's extremely popular music was one of the composers in least need of rehabilitation.

So would I. That's why I needed to start this thread

[BBMmk2]

No I haven't. The Concertgebouw recording you mean?

No The Czech Philharmonic?

[Lat-Literal]

I thought I'd posted on this thread but I never did. Have read it in full and am a little surprised. Nothing against him but I assumed he would be regarded as lightweight by many. Certainly he is the one name checked by people who say "some classical music is nice". There is sugar. Is there more sugar anywhere else? But it is pretty. I like the tunes, however much a few decades ago there was over-exposure. Having now done a few rounds with the great and the obscure, I am likely to revisit him, not least on how the ballet music is intriguingly not especially suited to that form of dance. I'd welcome suggestions of rare compositions with merit. There is already a lot on the best discs for the well-known pieces. One thing, though. I am not in the "we" when it comes to a preference for music of the 1800s. My decade is 1910-1919. If only I could make the first two numbers in each case "20"!

[Stanfordian]

So would I. That's why I needed to start this thread

You have lost me Beefy. In my view being commonly heard Tchaikovsky's enduring music does not require any rehabilitation.

[pastoralguy]

I'm waiting for Bychkov's 'Pathetique' with the Czech Philharmonic to come through the door.

Most odd! I was lucky enough to win this cd for £4.00 + £1.20 p&p. However, the cd that arrived was the 'Manfred' symphony by the same team! Ah well, it doesn't really matter. Brand new in its plastic wrapping.

[mahlerfan]

Cardiff Philharmonic management have cancelled their forthcoming Tchaikovsky concert saying it would be inappropriate to go ahead with it in the current situation. It’s scary that grown adults can be capable of this type of thinking.

[Petrushka]

Cardiff Philharmonic management have cancelled their forthcoming Tchaikovsky concert saying it would be inappropriate to go ahead with it in the current situation. It’s scary that grown adults can be capable of this type of thinking.

There's no record that I know of where, during the Second World War, the music of Beethoven, Wagner, Mozart, Brahms etc, was cancelled in this country. Indeed, the Proms archive alone is evidence that Henry Wood continued with his Beethoven Evenings and Wagner Evenings regardless. It could be argued that there wouldn't have been much left to play otherwise! I'm also unaware of anyone dumping their Furtwangler 78s either.

Hopefully, common sense will prevail in time and Tchaikovsky will be back. May I suggest the Symphony No 2 to start with and the 1812 Overture as a lesson in what happens to a tyrant in that part of the world?

[Bella Kemp]

Tchaikovsky banned

I know this has been mentioned in another thread but I think this is so appalling that it needs a thread of its own. It is the moral equivalent of smashing a shop window because it sells Russian goods or beating up a Russian person in the street.
It is utterly shameful to blame Russians in general (and dead Russians at that!) for the actions of their wicked leader.

https://slippedisc.com/2022/03/breaking-wales-bans-tchaikovsky/

[Barbirollians]

I can see why 1812 might be thought crass cancelling any other Tchaikovsky silly.

[gradus]

I gather that the young pianist Alexander Malofeev has been banned from a concert with the Montreal SO despite his outspoken opposition to the tyrant Putin's actions in Ukraine.

[gradus]

There's no record that I know of where, during the Second World War, the music of Beethoven, Wagner, Mozart, Brahms etc, was cancelled in this country. Indeed, the Proms archive alone is evidence that Henry Wood continued with his Beethoven Evenings and Wagner Evenings regardless. It could be argued that there wouldn't have been much left to play otherwise! I'm also unaware of anyone dumping their Furtwangler 78s either.

Hopefully, common sense will prevail in time and Tchaikovsky will be back. May I suggest the Symphony No 2 to start with and the 1812 Overture as a lesson in what happens to a tyrant in that part of the world?

Beecham refers to proposals to ban German/Austrian composers during WW2 in his autobiography. The famous Myra Hess films show that common sense prevailed.