A Legendary Death
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.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
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´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
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 – 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.