Symphony No. 6 - Revision history

Brett: /* Autographs */

2025-09-11T11:25:57Z

Autographs

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:25, 11 September 2025
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	==Autographs==		==Autographs==
	Tchaikovsky's manuscript full score is now preserved in the {{RUS-Mcm}} in [[Moscow]] {{TOW2\|simfoniya-no-6-pateticheskaya-2017-08-17\|(ф. 88, No. 60)}}. On the title page of the full score the author wrote: 'To [[Vladimir Davydov\|Vladimir Lvovich Davydov]]. ''Pathétique'' Symphony No. 6. Composed by P. Tchaikovsky, Op.???" <ref name="note30"/>. On the same page are two notes by the composer. The first of them was made on the day the full score was finished: "I urge you to ensure when writing out the parts that all the markings in the parts correspond exactly to the full score. P. Tchaikovsky. 19 August 1893" {{OS}}. The second note was added, it seems, after the first performance of the symphony: "I made some corrections in the 2nd and 3rd movements, which need to go into the parts!!! Ask [[Albert Kleinecke\|Mr Kleinecke]] to attend to this".		Tchaikovsky's manuscript full score is now preserved in the {{RUS-Mcm}} in [[Moscow]] {{TOW2\|simfoniya-no-6-pateticheskaya-2017-08-17\|(ф. 88, No. 60)}}. On the title page of the full score the author wrote: "To [[Vladimir Davydov\|Vladimir Lvovich Davydov]]. ''Pathétique'' Symphony No. 6. Composed by P. Tchaikovsky, Op.???" <ref name="note30"/>. On the same page are two notes by the composer. The first of them was made on the day the full score was finished: "I urge you to ensure when writing out the parts that all the markings in the parts correspond exactly to the full score. P. Tchaikovsky. 19 August 1893" {{OS}}. The second note was added, it seems, after the first performance of the symphony: "I made some corrections in the 2nd and 3rd movements, which need to go into the parts!!! Ask [[Albert Kleinecke\|Mr Kleinecke]] to attend to this".

	A further 16 folios containing passages discarded from the full score can also be found in the {{RUS-Mcm}} {{TOW2\|simfoniya-no-6-pateticheskaya\|(ф. 88, No. 60a)}}.		A further 16 folios containing passages discarded from the full score can also be found in the {{RUS-Mcm}} {{TOW2\|simfoniya-no-6-pateticheskaya\|(ф. 88, No. 60a)}}.

Brett: fixing typos

2024-11-21T08:53:40Z

fixing typos

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	<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">		<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">
	<li>Adagio—Allegro non troppo (B minor, 354 bars)</li>		<li>Adagio—Allegro non troppo (B minor, 354 bars)</li>
	<li>Allegro con grazia (D major, ~~179~~ bars)</li>		<li>Allegro con grazia (D major, 178 bars)</li>
	<li>Allegro molto vivace (G major, ~~547~~ bars)</li>		<li>Allegro molto vivace (G major, 347 bars)</li>
	<li>Adagio lamentoso (B minor, 171 bars)</li>		<li>Adagio lamentoso (B minor, 171 bars)</li>
	</ol>		</ol>

Brett at 19:50, 27 August 2023

2023-08-27T19:50:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:50, 27 August 2023
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	\| 20678		\| 20678
	\| Arr. for solo piano		\| Arr. for solo piano
	\| [[Paul Klengel]]		\| Paul Klengel
	\| 1896/97		\| 1896/97
	\| Abridged version. Advertised in Hofmeister's ''Musikalisch-literarischer Monatsbericht'' (January 1897), p. 16 (by Forberg).		\| Abridged version. Advertised in Hofmeister's ''Musikalisch-literarischer Monatsbericht'' (January 1897), p. 16 (by Forberg).
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	\| 5071		\| 5071
	\| Arr. for solo piano		\| Arr. for solo piano
	\| [[Paul Klengel]]		\| Paul Klengel
	\| 1896/97		\| 1896/97
	\| Abridged version (see also No. 5071a). Advertised in Hofmeister's ''Musikalisch-literarischer Monatsbericht'' (January 1897), p. 16.		\| Abridged version (see also No. 5071a). Advertised in Hofmeister's ''Musikalisch-literarischer Monatsbericht'' (January 1897), p. 16.

Brett at 11:50, 30 May 2023

2023-05-30T11:50:50Z

Show changes

Tony: /* Notes and References */

2023-02-18T19:44:52Z

Notes and References

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:44, 18 February 2023
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	==Notes and References==		==Notes and References==
	<references>		<references>
	<ref name="note1">After the composer's death, [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] claimed to have thought of the title ''Pathétique'' on the day after its premiere in October 1893 — see {{bib\|1902/25\|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 3}} (1902), p. 645; however, this is thrown into doubt by two letters preserved in the [[Klin]] House-Museum from [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] to Tchaikovsky. On 20 September/2 October 1893 the publisher already enquired about the title page design: "What is to be done with ''pathétique'' and W. Davidoff or Dawidow?" On 19/31 October, [[Jurgenson]] wrote to Tchaikovsky again: "The title pages have been engraved and now we can easily add: "Symphony No. 6 (pathétique)". It should be styled not ''Sixth "Pathétique" symphony'', but ''Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique"''. Do you agree?" — {{bib\|2013/40\|П. И. Чайковский – П. И. Юргенсон. Переписка ; том 2}} (2013), p. 491, 495-496.</ref>		<ref name="note1">After the composer's death, [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] claimed to have thought of the title ''Pathétique'' on the day after its premiere in October 1893 — see {{bib\|1902/25\|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 3}} (1902), p. 645; however, this is thrown into doubt by two letters preserved in the [[Klin]] House-Museum from [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] to Tchaikovsky. On 20 September/2 October 1893 the publisher already enquired about the title page design: "What is to be done with ''pathétique'' and W. Davidoff or Dawidow?" On 19/31 October, [[Jurgenson]] wrote to Tchaikovsky again: "The title pages have been engraved and now we can easily add: 'Symphony No. 6 (pathétique)'. It should be styled not ''Sixth 'Pathétique' symphony'', but ''Symphony No. 6, 'Pathétique'''. Do you agree?" — {{bib\|2013/40\|П. И. Чайковский – П. И. Юргенсон. Переписка ; том 2}} (2013), p. 491, 495-496.</ref>
	<ref name="note2">In fact, this symphony was not destroyed—see the article on the unfinished [[Symphony in E-flat major]].</ref>		<ref name="note2">In fact, this symphony was not destroyed—see the article on the unfinished [[Symphony in E-flat major]].</ref>
	<ref name="note3">[[Letter 4865]] to [[Vladimir Davydov]], 11/23 February 1893.</ref>		<ref name="note3">[[Letter 4865]] to [[Vladimir Davydov]], 11/23 February 1893.</ref>

Tony: /* Publication */ Year replacement - "1993" to "2003"

2023-02-18T19:39:01Z

Publication: Year replacement - "1993" to "2003"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:39, 18 February 2023
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	The full score and piano duet arrangements of the Symphony were published in volumes 17Б (1963) and volume 48 (1964) respectively of Tchaikovsky's ''[[Complete Collected Works]]''. Both volumes were edited by Irina Iordan.		The full score and piano duet arrangements of the Symphony were published in volumes 17Б (1963) and volume 48 (1964) respectively of Tchaikovsky's ''[[Complete Collected Works]]''. Both volumes were edited by Irina Iordan.

	The ''[[New Complete Edition]]'' of Tchaikovsky's works includes a facsimile of Tchaikovsky's sketches in volume 39a (1999), edited by Polina Vaidman; the full score in volume 39b (1993), and critical report in volume 39c (~~1993~~), both edited by Thomas Kohlhase with the assistance of Polina Vaidman.		The ''[[New Complete Edition]]'' of Tchaikovsky's works includes a facsimile of Tchaikovsky's sketches in volume 39a (1999), edited by Polina Vaidman; the full score in volume 39b (1993), and critical report in volume 39c (2003), both edited by Thomas Kohlhase with the assistance of Polina Vaidman.

	==Autographs==		==Autographs==

Tony: /* Performances */ Omitted "there" for clarity of meaning / "make" to "makes" due to sentence structure

2023-02-18T19:25:29Z

Performances: Omitted "there" for clarity of meaning / "make" to "makes" due to sentence structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 18 February 2023
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	==Performances==		==Performances==
	According to the memoirs of Konstantin Saradzhev <ref name="note25"/>, the symphony was first played through on 8/20 or 9/21 October by an orchestra of students from the [[Moscow]] Conservatory, from the classes of professors [[Jan Hřímalý]], [[Alfred von Glenn]], [[Nikolay Sokolovsky]] and others, conducted by [[Vasily Safonov]]. However, ~~there~~ no other documents have been found to corroborate this account. There is a surviving note by [[Sergey Taneyev]] concerning meetings with Tchaikovsky on 8/20 and 9/21 October 1893 <ref name="note26"/>. It contains references to the [[Piano Concerto No. 3]] and the vocal quartet ''[[Night]]'', performed by [[Yelizaveta Lavrovskaya]]'s student class, but there is not a word about the Sixth Symphony.		According to the memoirs of Konstantin Saradzhev <ref name="note25"/>, the symphony was first played through on 8/20 or 9/21 October by an orchestra of students from the [[Moscow]] Conservatory, from the classes of professors [[Jan Hřímalý]], [[Alfred von Glenn]], [[Nikolay Sokolovsky]] and others, conducted by [[Vasily Safonov]]. However, no other documents have been found to corroborate this account. There is a surviving note by [[Sergey Taneyev]] concerning meetings with Tchaikovsky on 8/20 and 9/21 October 1893 <ref name="note26"/>. It contains references to the [[Piano Concerto No. 3]] and the vocal quartet ''[[Night]]'', performed by [[Yelizaveta Lavrovskaya]]'s student class, but there is not a word about the Sixth Symphony.

	Another personal account of Tchaikovsky's last visit to the [[Moscow]] Conservatory also ~~make~~ no mention of the private performance of the symphony <ref name="note27"/>.		Another personal account of Tchaikovsky's last visit to the [[Moscow]] Conservatory also makes no mention of the private performance of the symphony <ref name="note27"/>.

	The first public performance of the Sixth Symphony took place on 16/28 October 1893 in [[Saint Petersburg]], at the first symphony concert of the Russian Musical Society. Tchaikovsky conducted, and after the performance he told [[Pyotr Jurgenson]]: "Something strange is happening with this symphony! It's not that it displeased, but it has caused some bewilderment. So far as I myself am concerned, I'm more proud of it than any of my other works..." <ref name="note28"/>.		The first public performance of the Sixth Symphony took place on 16/28 October 1893 in [[Saint Petersburg]], at the first symphony concert of the Russian Musical Society. Tchaikovsky conducted, and after the performance he told [[Pyotr Jurgenson]]: "Something strange is happening with this symphony! It's not that it displeased, but it has caused some bewilderment. So far as I myself am concerned, I'm more proud of it than any of my other works..." <ref name="note28"/>.

Tony: /* Composition */

2023-02-18T19:21:32Z

Composition

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:21, 18 February 2023
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	"My work is going very well, but I can't write as quickly as before; but not because I'm becoming feeble through old age, rather because I'm being much stricter with myself, and don't have my former self-confidence. I am ''very proud'' of my symphony, and think that it's my best composition", the composer told [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]] <ref name="note18"/>.		"My work is going very well, but I can't write as quickly as before; but not because I'm becoming feeble through old age, rather because I'm being much stricter with myself, and don't have my former self-confidence. I am ''very proud'' of my symphony, and think that it's my best composition", the composer told [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]] <ref name="note18"/>.

	The symphony was still not completely finished, when Tchaikovsky offered it for performance in [[Saint Petersburg]]. In August he wrote to [[Pavel Peterssen]]: "... And so: ''abgemacht!!!'' On 10/22 October I will play the ''symphony'', which, by the way, will be completely ready in a day or two" <ref name="note19"/>.		The symphony was still not completely finished when Tchaikovsky offered it for performance in [[Saint Petersburg]]. In August he wrote to [[Pavel Peterssen]]: "... And so: ''abgemacht!!!'' On 10/22 October I will play the ''symphony'', which, by the way, will be completely ready in a day or two" <ref name="note19"/>.

	The symphony was completed on 12/24 August. Tchaikovsky wrote to [[Sergey Taneyev]]: "I have finished the symphony; only the markings and tempi remain to be inserted. With regard to the bowings, I intend to consult with ''[[Yuly Konyus\|Konyus]]'', who is coming to see me about this in the next few days with his violin and younger brother ''[[Lev Konyus\|Lev]]''. The latter will be essential for playing through the arrangement, which I have also made myself" <ref name="note20"/>. He reported the same thing to [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] <ref name="note21"/>.		The symphony was completed on 12/24 August. Tchaikovsky wrote to [[Sergey Taneyev]]: "I have finished the symphony; only the markings and tempi remain to be inserted. With regard to the bowings, I intend to consult with ''[[Yuly Konyus\|Konyus]]'', who is coming to see me about this in the next few days with his violin and younger brother ''[[Lev Konyus\|Lev]]''. The latter will be essential for playing through the arrangement, which I have also made myself" <ref name="note20"/>. He reported the same thing to [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] <ref name="note21"/>.

Tony: /* Composition */

2023-02-18T19:07:33Z

Composition

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 18 February 2023
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	Among the sketches for the third movement, at the start of the E major section of the exposition, the composer wrote: "Leaving today 11 Febr[uary]. On returning, the first thing to compose is the ending, i.e. the march in G major on the theme: [[File:TH030a.jpg\|400px\|center]] ... in a solemnly triumphant manner. Then there's still the first statement of the march in C major, starting from this page, and also the reprise of the scherzo with changes and a pedal on D" <ref name="note5"/>.		Among the sketches for the third movement, at the start of the E major section of the exposition, the composer wrote: "Leaving today 11 Febr[uary]. On returning, the first thing to compose is the ending, i.e. the march in G major on the theme: [[File:TH030a.jpg\|400px\|center]] ... in a solemnly triumphant manner. Then there's still the first statement of the march in C major, starting from this page, and also the reprise of the scherzo with changes and a pedal on D" <ref name="note5"/>.

	It appears that Tchaikovsky worked on the third movement between 17 February/1 March and 24 February/8 March, after which he left again. It is difficult to establish how much work Tchaikovsky did after his return from [[Moscow]], between 28 February/12 March and 3/15 March. It is known that during these days he was writing the quartet ''[[Night]]'' at the end of the manuscript of the quartet is the date: "[[Klin]], 3 March 1893" {{OS}}. Afterwards, work was interrupted for some time, because of a concert tour by the composer in [[Kharkov]]. On 19/31 March, back at [[Klin]], Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother [[Modest]]: "I arrived home from [[Kharkov]] last night... Over the coming days I'll be busy finishing off the sketches of the finale and scherzo of the new symphony" <ref name="note6"/>.		It appears that Tchaikovsky worked on the third movement between 17 February/1 March and 24 February/8 March, after which he left again. It is difficult to establish how much work Tchaikovsky did after his return from [[Moscow]], between 28 February/12 March and 3/15 March. It is known that during these days he was writing the quartet ''[[Night]];'' at the end of the manuscript of the quartet is the date: "[[Klin]], 3 March 1893" {{OS}}. Afterwards, work was interrupted for some time, because of a concert tour by the composer in [[Kharkov]]. On 19/31 March, back at [[Klin]], Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother [[Modest]]: "I arrived home from [[Kharkov]] last night... Over the coming days I'll be busy finishing off the sketches of the finale and scherzo of the new symphony" <ref name="note6"/>.

	It seems reasonable to suppose that when the author referred to the "scherzo" he meant the second movement, since Tchaikovsky had worked on the third movement for around 10 days in February and March. This is also borne out by notes in the copy-book containing the sketches. The following note was made after the sketches for the second movement: "''Today 24 March'' {{OS}} ''finished the rough sketches completely!!!''". The following day he wrote to [[Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov]]: "I cannot believe how much I have done since the winter... albeit in fits and starts while I was at home. I don't know whether I wrote to you that I had prepared a symphony <ref name="note7"/> and suddenly became disappointed and tore it up. Recently, in fits and starts, I managed to compose a new one, and ''this will certainly not be torn up''" <ref name="note8"/>.		It seems reasonable to suppose that when the author referred to the "scherzo" he meant the second movement, since Tchaikovsky had worked on the third movement for around 10 days in February and March. This is also borne out by notes in the copy-book containing the sketches. The following note was made after the sketches for the second movement: "''Today 24 March'' {{OS}} ''finished the rough sketches completely!!!''". The following day he wrote to [[Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov]]: "I cannot believe how much I have done since the winter... albeit in fits and starts while I was at home. I don't know whether I wrote to you that I had prepared a symphony <ref name="note7"/> and suddenly became disappointed and tore it up. Recently, in fits and starts, I managed to compose a new one, and ''this will certainly not be torn up''" <ref name="note8"/>.
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	In a letter to [[Aleksandr Ziloti]] of 23 July/4 August, he reported: "I'm scoring the symphony and, it's a funny thing, but I'm finding it terribly difficult, i.e. I'm unhappy with everything, I want to do everything better—but how? I don't know! But in any case, I think you will like the symphony" <ref name="note14"/>.		In a letter to [[Aleksandr Ziloti]] of 23 July/4 August, he reported: "I'm scoring the symphony and, it's a funny thing, but I'm finding it terribly difficult, i.e. I'm unhappy with everything, I want to do everything better—but how? I don't know! But in any case, I think you will like the symphony" <ref name="note14"/>.

	On 2/14 August 1893, Tchaikovsky informed [[Vladimir Davydov]] that the symphony was "...coming along. I'm very pleased with its content, but dissatisfied, or rather not completely satisfied, with the instrumentation. For some reason it's not coming out as I intended. To me it would be typical and unsurprising if this symphony were torn to pieces or little appreciated, for it wouldn't be for the first time that had happened. But I absolutely consider it to be the best, and in particular, the ''most sincere'' of all my creations. I love it as I have never loved any of my other musical offspring" <ref name="note15"/>		On 2/14 August 1893, Tchaikovsky informed [[Vladimir Davydov]] that the symphony was "...coming along. I'm very pleased with its content, but dissatisfied, or rather not completely satisfied, with the instrumentation. For some reason it's not coming out as I intended. To me it would be typical and unsurprising if this symphony were torn to pieces or little appreciated, for it wouldn't be for the first time that had happened. But I absolutely consider it to be the best, and in particular, the ''most sincere'' of all my creations. I love it as I have never loved any of my other musical offspring" <ref name="note15"/>.

	The orchestration of the symphony was now nearing its end: "Soon I will finish scoring the third movement of the symphony, then in two or three days more I shall set about the finale, which should not take me more than three days. Then I must make the piano duet arrangement", he told [[Sergey Taneyev]] on 1/13 August <ref name="note16"/>. A week later he told [[Aleksandr Ziloti]]: "I've decided to make the piano duet arrangement of the new symphony myself!!!" <ref name="note17"/>.		The orchestration of the symphony was now nearing its end: "Soon I will finish scoring the third movement of the symphony, then in two or three days more I shall set about the finale, which should not take me more than three days. Then I must make the piano duet arrangement", he told [[Sergey Taneyev]] on 1/13 August <ref name="note16"/>. A week later he told [[Aleksandr Ziloti]]: "I've decided to make the piano duet arrangement of the new symphony myself!!!" <ref name="note17"/>.

Tony: /* Composition */

2023-02-17T20:23:55Z

Composition

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:23, 17 February 2023
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	"All my thoughts are now taken up with a new composition (a symphony), and it's very difficult for me to break away from this work. It seems to me that this is the best work I have ever produced. This symphony must be finished as quickly as possible, for I have a great deal of other work...", the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]] on 10/22 February <ref name="note4"/>.		"All my thoughts are now taken up with a new composition (a symphony), and it's very difficult for me to break away from this work. It seems to me that this is the best work I have ever produced. This symphony must be finished as quickly as possible, for I have a great deal of other work...", the composer wrote to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]] on 10/22 February <ref name="note4"/>.

	Among the sketches for the third movement, at the start of the E major section of the exposition, the composer wrote: "Leaving today 11 Febr[uary]. On returning the first thing to compose is the ending, i.e. the march in G major on the theme: [[File:TH030a.jpg\|400px\|center]] ... in a solemnly triumphant manner. Then there's still the first statement of the march in C major, starting from this page, and also the reprise of the scherzo with changes and a pedal on D" <ref name="note5"/>.		Among the sketches for the third movement, at the start of the E major section of the exposition, the composer wrote: "Leaving today 11 Febr[uary]. On returning, the first thing to compose is the ending, i.e. the march in G major on the theme: [[File:TH030a.jpg\|400px\|center]] ... in a solemnly triumphant manner. Then there's still the first statement of the march in C major, starting from this page, and also the reprise of the scherzo with changes and a pedal on D" <ref name="note5"/>.

	It appears that Tchaikovsky worked on the third movement between 17 February/1 March and 24 February/8 March, after which he left again. It is difficult to establish how much work Tchaikovsky did after his return from [[Moscow]], between 28 February/12 March and 3/15 March. It is known that during these days he was writing the quartet ''[[Night]]'' at the end of the manuscript of the quartet is the date: "[[Klin]], 3 March 1893" {{OS}}. Afterwards, work was interrupted for some time, because of a concert tour by the composer in [[Kharkov]]. On 19/31 March, back at [[Klin]], Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother [[Modest]]: "I arrived home from [[Kharkov]] last night... Over the coming days I'll be busy finishing off the sketches of the finale and scherzo of the new symphony" <ref name="note6"/>.		It appears that Tchaikovsky worked on the third movement between 17 February/1 March and 24 February/8 March, after which he left again. It is difficult to establish how much work Tchaikovsky did after his return from [[Moscow]], between 28 February/12 March and 3/15 March. It is known that during these days he was writing the quartet ''[[Night]]'' at the end of the manuscript of the quartet is the date: "[[Klin]], 3 March 1893" {{OS}}. Afterwards, work was interrupted for some time, because of a concert tour by the composer in [[Kharkov]]. On 19/31 March, back at [[Klin]], Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother [[Modest]]: "I arrived home from [[Kharkov]] last night... Over the coming days I'll be busy finishing off the sketches of the finale and scherzo of the new symphony" <ref name="note6"/>.