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Donald Macleod focuses on Tchaikovsky's last years and the fantastical rumours and theories surrounding his demise.

Donald Macleod looks at Tchaikovsky last years and the fantastical rumours and theories surrounding his demise.

In his latter years Tchaikovsky was a living legend, accepted as one of the greatest musicians on the planet. The Tsar had awarded Tchaikovsky an annual allowance making life very comfortable and rewarding for him.

The unrest of his private life, in previous years, had largely settled but he was thrown by the abrupt ending of his friendship with his benefactor. The relationship, which was conducted through letters only, was ended by her with little explanation - this was something that troubled Tchaikovsky endlessly.

Compositions still flowed from him, producing what became some of the world's favourite music. Tchaikovsky travelled across Europe and to America to conduct and receive awards.

His funeral was a huge occasion in Moscow. As time passed, conjecture about the facts behind Tchaikovsky's death grew and grew to colossal proportions.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 21 Aug 2015 18:00

Music Played

  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Souvenir De Florence Op.70 For String Sextet - 4th movement; Allegro vivace

    Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Marco Boni.
    • SERENADE FOR STRINGS.
    • EMI PENTA TONE CLASSICS.
    • 8.
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    Symphony No. 6 In B Minor Op.74 (Pathetique)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • EMI:7243 5 65709 3 4.
    • EMI.
    • 3.
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Queen Of Spades [pikovaya Dama] - Opera In 3 Acts Op.68 -Act 1, sc.1; Ya imeni yeyo ne znayu (Herman's Arioso)

    Singer: Володимир Данилович Гришко. Orchestra: Ukraine National S O. Conductor: Volodymyr Sirenko.
    • QUEEN OF SPADES.
    • NAXOS.
    • 3.
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Nutcracker - Suite Op.71a - no.1; Miniature overture - no.2a; - no.2b; - no.2c; - no.2d; no.2e; -no.2f; no.3;

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker.
  • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

    The Sleeping Beauty - Ballet Op.66 - Act 1, no 6: The Waltz

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: André Previn.
    • EMI CLASSICS : 9-67689 2.
    • EMI CLASSICS.
    • 14.

Broadcast

  • Fri 21 Aug 2015 18:00

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