8 Sep 2013

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

From Composer of the Week, 9:15 am on 8 September 2013
Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky Photo: By Nikolai Dimitriyevich Kuznetsov [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

In the 1940s and '50s, Tchaikovsky's brilliant melodies meant much of his music was used in Hollywood.

Rather than reinvigorate his stature as a composer, this diminished his reputation.

In fact, as strange as it may seem to us now, during his lifetime and during much of the 20th Century, Tchaikovsky's music was viewed as somewhat second-rate.

Elric Hooper and Des Wilson chart this famous composer's career, looking at his personal as well as professional trials and tribulations.

Music Details:

TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto, mvt 1 - Nicola Benedetti (vln), Czech Phil/ Jakub Hrusa (Decca 476 409)
CURTIS/ HOFFMAN/ LIVINGSTON: Story of a Starry Night - Glenn Miller Band (SONY 669241)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade in C for string orchestra Op 48 - Gothenburg SO/ Neeme Järvi (BIS SACD 1458 )
TCHAIKOVSKY: None but the lonely heart - Christianne Stotijn (mezzo), Julius Drake (pno) (Onyx 4034)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo and Juliet - Royal Phil/ Daniele Gatti (Harmonia Mundi HMU 90 7381)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No 4, mvt 3 - Vienna Phil/ Valery Gergiev (Philips 475 6196)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No 4, mvt 3 - Vienna Phil/ Valery Gergiev (Philips 475 6196)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Eugene Onegin, Tatiana’s Letter Scene - Cheryl Barker (sop), Queensland SO/ Guillaume Tourniaire (Melba MR 301 129)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Royal Liverpool Phil/ Vasily Petrenko (Avie AV 2139)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Francesca da Rimini Op. 32 - Fantasy for orchestra - Russian National Orch/ Mikhail Pletnev (PentaTone PTC 5186 385)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No 6 in B minor, Pathétique Op. 74-IV Finale - Royal Phil/ Daniele Gatti (Harmonia Mundi HMU 80 7394)