View source for Ivan the Terrible (Rubinstein)

'''''Ivan the Terrible''''' (Иван Грозный) was a 'characteristic musical picture' by [[Anton Rubinstein]] (Op. 79), which Tchaikovsky arranged for piano duet in 1869 ([[TH]] 177 ; [[ČW]] 408).

==Instrumentation==
Arranged for piano duet (4 hands).

==Movements and Duration==
There is one movement: Lento e maestoso (607 bars, B minor), lasting around 25 minutes in performance.

==History==
The arrangement was commissioned from Tchaikovsky by the publisher [[Vasily Bessel]], and the story of the arrangement is related in the composer's correspondence with his brothers and with [[Bessel]]: "Yesterday I received a request from [[Bessel]] in [[Saint Petersburg]]: he wants me to arrange [[Anton Rubinstein|Rubinstein]]'s ''Ivan the Terrible''" <ref name="note1"/>. "I'm arranging [[Anton Rubinstein]]'s overture ''Ivan the Terrible'' for four hands" <ref name="note2"/>, and "I've finished the arrangement commissioned by [[Bessel]]" <ref name="note3"/>. 

In a letter to [[Bessel]] on 21 December 1869/2 January 1870, Tchaikovsky wrote: "Thank you for sending the 40 rubles and also for the proofs of ''Ivan''. A receipt is enclosed" <ref name="note4"/>.

==Publication==
Tchaikovsky's arrangement was published by [[Vasily Bessel]] in 1869. It was included in volume 60 of Tchaikovsky's ''[[Complete Collected Works]]'' (1971), edited by Georgy Kirkor.

==Autographs==
Tchaikovsky's autograph manuscript of the arrangement has been lost.

==Related Works==
The ‘characteristic musical picture' for orchestra ''Ivan the Terrible'' (Op. 79) by [[Anton Rubinstein]] was written in 1869, based on the drama'' The Maid of Pskov'' (Псковитянка) (1860) by [[Lev Mey]]. It was first published by [[Bessel]] in the same year, simultaneously with Tchaikovsky's arrangement for piano duet.

In 1871, Tchaikovsky arranged another of [[Anton Rubinstein]]'s orchestral works for piano duet — ''[[Don Quixote (Rubinstein)|Don Quixote]]''.

==External Links==
* {{imslpscore|Ivan_the_Terrible,_Op.79_(Rubinstein,_Anton)|Ivan the Terrible, Op.79 (Rubinstein, Anton)}}

==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">[[Letter 153]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], 7/19 October 1869.</ref> 
<ref name="note2">[[Letter 155]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 12/24 October 1869.</ref>
<ref name="note3">[[Letter 157]] to [[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]], 30 October/11 November 1869.</ref>
<ref name="note4">[[Letter 171]] to [[Vasily Bessel]], 21 December 1869/2 January 1870. The receipt read "I have received 40 silver rubles for arranging [[Anton Rubinstein|A. G. Rubinstein]]'s composition ''Ivan the Terrible''. Pyotr Tchaikovsky. [[Moscow]], 21 December 1869".</ref>
</references>
[[Category:Arrangements]]
[[Category:Piano Music]]