Music 1010 Semester Presentation by Sarah Caverni

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky The life and music of an amazing Composer

Tchaikovsky’s Early Life  Born on May 7 th,  Of French and Ukrainian descent.  His mother was 18 years younger than his father.  Tchaikovsky had one sister, four brothers and a half-sister.

The discovery of his talent  Started piano lessons at the age of five.  Able to read music as well as teacher by the age of eight.  Parents were supportive of his music in the beginning.

First Serious Composition Attempt  Both parents contracted cholera in  Mother passed away from the illness.  Tchaikovsky wrote a waltz in his mother’s honor.

Marriage and Sexuality  Married Antonina Miliukova in  Never officially divorced but the marriage only lasted a few months.  After an emotional breakdown he became more accepting of his sexuality.  He never openly admitted to being homosexual.

Von Meck’s Help After hearing Tchaikovsky’s work, a wealthy Russian widow decided to pay him 6,000 rubles annually to focus on his career. Her condition to do so was that they were to never meet face-to- face. Meck’s help allowed the author to focus on his music.

Composing Years  Constantly moving between 1878 and  With the help of Tsar Alexander III, he was able to achieve “social rehabilitation” after the emotional breakdown that followed the separation.  In 1885 the Third Orchestral Suite premiered with extreme success.

Composer’s death  Tchaikovsky died on October 28 th,  He was only 53 years old at the time.  Had more accomplishments in his short life than his fellow Russian composers of the Era.  Officially died from Cholera.  Many still believe that he took his own life because of his homosexuality.

Compositions  Over 100 works not including the piano ones.  Romeo and Juliet.  1812 Overture.  The Nutcracker.  Swan Lake.  Etc.

1812 Overture Learning History Through a Symphony

 Based on the overture of the French Army by Russia in  Neither side won, however Russia drove the French out of its land.  Over 100,000 are estimated to have died.

The Composition Process  Tchaikovsky finished the piece in just six weeks.  Commemorative piece for the 25 th anniversary of coronation of Alexander II.  Written based on the suggestion of his friend, Nikolai Rubinstein.

First Performance  Initial performance was supposed to have church bells and live cannon being fired on demand for precision.  Since Alexander II was murdered in March of 1882, the piece was performed indoors instead by a conventional orchestra.  Tchaikovsky did not like this piece and claimed to have written it “without love”.

National Anthems  The piece uses parts of the French national anthem: La Marseillaise.  Also uses parts of “God Save the Tsar!” which was the Russian national anthem at the time.

The U.S. and the 1812 Overture piece  In 1891 Tchaikovsky himself conducted the 1812 Overture in New York City.  This piece is often played at Fourth of July celebrations.  Many wrongfully think that the song is about America’s battles against the British.

Listening Guide (1812 Overture)

0:00 Introduction begins in E flat major. 1:20 Wind instruments enter. 1:54 Transition to C minor. 2:00Oboe solo, accompanied by strings. Tempo picks up a little giving the song more life. 2:20Flute joins oboe in solo creating a bigger presence in response to the strings. Adagio. 2:26Bassoon also joins the solo phrases. 2:44 Solo ends. Song gradually gets faster and at this point it has a very high pitch. The timbre also becomes more distinguishable. 3:19 Bassoon, cello, bass transition back to E flat major.

3:55Strings join snare drums. 4:44New section begins and violin enters with melody in E flat minor. 5:11Oboe and clarinet join in creating a better harmony between the orchestra. The timbre gets higher. 5:27French horn starts Theme 2. 5:33Theme 2 switches to cornet. 5:40Theme 2 switches back to French horn. 5:46Theme 2 switches to trumpet. 5:52Theme 2 ends, section F begins by transitioning to E flat minor.

6:17Theme 2 starts again. 6:43Strings with melody in F# major. 7:39Flute, oboe, clarinet join with melody 8:08Transition to D# minor 8:23Flute and English horn with melody in E flat minor while tambourines accompany. 8:42Leitmotifs are played by oboe, clarinet, bassoon, viola, and cello. Decrescendo to piano. 9:00 Section J begins in A minor 9:11 Parts of Theme 2 return 9:37 Bass drum and cymbals enter, fortissimo 10:14 Section G repeats in G flat major with Theme 2. 10:40 Section H repeats in E flat major 11:28 Section I repeats in C minor 11:47 Section K begins in E flat major. 12:32 Section M starts in E flat major 12:39 Song slowly slows down and time signature switches to ¾. 13:12 Section A repeats, but much stronger and louder, phrases are interrupted by string runs, includes military band. 14:21 Finale begins in E flat major in 4/4 with a stronger dynamic ffff. Theme 1, allegro vivace, firing of the cannons begins. 14:32 Low brass switches to harmony, Theme 1 played again. 15:01 Partial phrases from Theme 1 return even stronger. 15:21 Song ends.

Works Cited Brown, David, ed. Stanley Sadie, "Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich", The New Grove Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians (London: MacMillan, 1980), 20 vols. ISBN Brown, David, Tchaikovsky: The Early Years, 1840–1874 (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1978). ISBN Brown, David, Tchaikovsky: The Crisis Years, 1874–1878, (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1983). ISBN Brown, David, Tchaikovsky: The Years of Wandering, 1878–1885, (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1986). ISBN Brown, David, Tchaikovsky: The Final Years, 1885–1893, (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1991). ISBN Brown, David, Tchaikovsky: The Man and His Music (New York: Pegasus Books, 2007).ISBN

Works Cited Holden, Anthony, Tchaikovsky: A Biography (New York: Random House, 1995). ISBN Poznansky, Alexander Tchaikovsky: The Quest for the Inner Man (New York: Schirmer Books, 1991). ISBN Poznansky, Alexander. Tchaikovsky through others' eyes. (Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press, 1999). ISBN Online Photo Galleries