johnaxelrod

[johnaxelrod]

Tchaikovsky said of this final symphonic work: “I am already thinking of a new large composition, that is, of a symphony with a secret program.” He entitled the work "The Passionate Symphony", employing a Russian word, Патетическая (Pateticheskaya), meaning "passionate" or "emotional", which was then translated into French as pathétique, meaning "solemn" or "emotive".After a failed start with an E flat Symphony which later became his 3rd Piano Concerto, in 1893, Tchaikovsky finally was inspired to make another attempt at his "Grand Symphony.".  He wrote to his nephew Davydov:  "I had the idea for another symphony, this time with a programme, but such a programme that will remain an enigma to everyone—let them guess; the symphony shall be entitled: A Programme Symphony (No. 6); Symphonie à Programme (No. 6); Programm-Symphonie (No. 6). "What is that secret program?  That enigma?  Is it a Requiem? Pushkin was not  the only influence on Tchaikovsky's imagination.  Shakespeare had an indelible impact on his compositional output.  There is a famous line that rings loudly when considering this work:  At a time when Tchaikovsky suffered immensely from moral indignation, poor health and societal pressure over his sexuality, these words from Hamlet  take on a deeper meaning:“Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream—For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause, there's the respect, That makes calamity of so long life”This excerpt from the online masterclass explores this concept when analyzing the famous finale from the Symphony. As a student of Ilya Musin and Leonard Bernstein, I learned from the best. I have  conducted this work over 20 times with orchestras around the world.  Let me share what wisdom I have gained.  To register for more FREE GREAT MAESTROS MASTERCLASSES, email: contact@conductorsmasterclassonline.comTo learn more about CMO GREAT MAESTROS MASTERCLASSES ONLINE subscribe to this channel and visit the website: https://conductorsmasterclassonline.com/great-maestros