Tchaikovsky Research

@Balancement It's interesting that almost all of the critics' comments cited come from the 1930s to the 1980s. Does anyone know of any more recent studies of T's works for piano and orchestra?

@TchaikResearch What's the point of this bashing? Tchaikovsky was *always* notoriously harsh on almost all his works, perfectionist as he was—the 2nd is a *glorious* experience, the others are totally charming. This is just unnecessary rehashed nit-picking snobbishness. I hate sh*t like this.

Here's an interesting new video about Tchaikovsky's "other" piano concertos. Do you agree with the critics? youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Qhl9…

Today marks the 186th birth anniversary of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

According to the New York Philharmonic Society programme for 22 April 1876, this was the American premiere of Tchaikovsky's 'Romeo and Juliet' (in any version). However, @TchaikResearch credits an orchestra conducted by Hans von Bulow at Steinway Hall, five days before!

Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' premiered 17/29 March 1879 at Moscow's Maly Theatre. This was by no means grand opera, and it was Tchaikovsky's preference to present his "lyrical scenes" on a smaller intimate stage and to use Conservatory students instead of professional singers.

Tchaikovsky's First String Quartet premiered 16(28) March 1871 in Moscow. It was hastily written for a chamber concert of his works, as the cost of an orchestra was beyond his means.

Tchaikovsky's musical quotation, dated 21 March 1888, is from his 'Serenade for Strings', which he conducted in London around this time.

Tchaikovsky to Rimsky-Korsakov (8 March 1886):

Tchaikovsky conducted a concert of his music in Geneva on 9 March 1889:

From Tchaikovsky's March 1890 diary:

Third concert of a Tchaikovsky cycle at Carnegie Hall (7 March 1909):

On 6 March 1888 in Paris, Tchaikovsky called on Jules Massenet. As he wasn't at home, Pierre left a visiting card:

Tchaikovsky's ground-breaking ballet 'Swan Lake' premiered 20 Feb/4 March 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre. Polina Karpakova wasn't the first choice for the role of Odette, but was due for a benefit. Modest Tchaikovsky reported an absence of outstanding performers in the production.

Tchaikovsky to Balakirev (3 March 1887):

From Grieg in Leipzig to Tchaikovsky in Paris, 27 February 1888:

@ChopinFryderyk It is more likely that the words attributed to Safonov were spoken by Tchaikovsky and vice-versa, with (Safonov's) final words being "Who is speaking now. It seems to be Safonov" (2/2)

@ChopinFryderyk We believe the recording featuring Tchaikovsky is genuine, but the identification of the voices and the transcription of the words spoken may not be wholly accurate... (1/2)

Rare 1890 recording of the voices of Anton Rubinstein and Pyotr Tchaikovsky (and others) on an Edison phonograph cylinder: youtu.be/7DEEdFLjUiw?si… … and Anton Rubinstein at the piano in 1890 (??): youtu.be/DGO_CRGQSSc?si…