Episode 2
Donald Macleod focuses on the year 1881, a troubled period for Tchaikovsky, who lost one of his greatest friends and champions. With a complete performance of the Piano Trio.
Even for this rootless 'lost decade', 1881 was a wretched year in the life of the composer - and Russia. As the nation was riven with domestic turmoil, following the assassination of Tsar Alexander II, Tchaikovsky also lost one of his greatest champions, the critic Nikolai Rubinstein. Last - but very much not least - the composer also had to deal with unwanted and relentless attentions of an obsessive young male fan.
In today's episode Donald Macleod presents perhaps Tchaikovsky's greatest chamber work - the Piano Trio, written in memory of his friend and colleague - as well as an excerpt from his glorious "All-Night Vigil", composed for the Russian Orthodox Church.
Last on
Music Played
-
![]()
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1812 Overture (excerpt)
Performer: Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra / Antal Dorati
- MERCURY 4343602.
-
![]()
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Piano Trio, Op.50 (1881-2)
Performer: I. Pezzo Elegiaco Performer: IIa. Tema Con Variazioni Performer: IIb. Variazione Finale e Coda Performer: Yefim Bronfman (piano), Cho-Liang Lin (violin), Gary Hoffman (cello)
- SONY CLASSICAL SK53269.
-
![]()
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
All Night Vigil (Vespers), Op.52 (1881-2) (excerpt)
Performer: The Polyeleion: 鈥淧raise Be To God鈥� Performer: The Russian Church Chorus Of New York / Nikolai Kachanov
- KOCH 374202.
Broadcasts
- Tue 12 Oct 2010 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Tue 12 Oct 2010 22:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Tue 3 May 2011 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Tue 3 May 2011 18:30大象传媒 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.