Manfred Symphony

PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY MANFRED SYMPHONY Sit back and enjoy Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky The redemption of himself to this and to its eponymous The Manfred Symphony: an experienced before his death at only Manfred Symphony, Op. 58 hero with zeal, and seemed to unrestrained self-portrait 36 years of age, was enough to cover Manfred even somewhat transform himself Romantic poet surrounded by several lifetimes: inheriting a title 1. Lento lugubre – Moderato con moto – Andante 17.27 into Manfred during the intensive scandal and strife-torn hero – the at 10 years old, entering the House 2. Vivace con spirito 9.57 Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Manfred is period of work. After all, he was literary model of Lords when he came of age; 3. Andante con moto 11.24 a hermaphrodite – at least, as far as also suffering from inner torment. Had George Gordon Noel Byron early travels to the Mediterranean 4. Allegro con fuoco 20.21 the music is concerned. For although And this can be heard in the music, lived in the present day, then the and further onwards to Asia Minor; the work (dating from 1885) was which appears to be full of inner abundant major and minor scandals instantaneous literary fame thanks 59.29 indeed dubbed by its creator as a conflict. Nowadays, Manfred that surrounded him would almost to Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage; social symphony, it still did not receive is rarely heard in the concert certainly have given the ever-hungry scandals following relationships a number alongside Tchaikovsky’s hall. Perhaps due to its rather tabloid press something to feast on. with various married women; incest Russian National Orchestra further six contributions to the “overloaded” subject? Perhaps due Even the television would probably with his half-sister; an unhappy Conducted by Mikhail Pletnev category. And thus it was – and to its unclear stylistic positioning? have devoted time and attention – marriage and separation; a stint as Alexei Bruni, concertmaster has still to some extent remained Or perhaps due to the model upon perhaps in the form of a soap opera? commander of the free Greek forces; Norbert Gembaczka, organ – “draped” over a stool, as it were: which it is based, which today is – to the antics of the poet, who was and finally death from hypothermia. isolated in Tchaikovsky’s oeuvre virtually unknown? Towards the end, both much maligned and greatly In fact, it is not surprising that such somewhere between the categories during the redemption of Manfred, admired in his time: and in the social a flood of drastic impressions and of the symphony and the symphonic there is even an organ added to the media, this romantic “megastar” experiences found its way into his poem. Nevertheless, Manfred full orchestra. (Incidentally, this was would certainly also have had a literary works, at times without any is definitely based on a literary recorded separately in Berlin for the huge fan following whose interest finer filtering. Byron is considered programme. And what a programme recording at hand.) An apotheosis – he would continue to pique with one of the major representatives of – the eponymous dramatic poem however, the “taste” involved here is tweets and postings. For what this the late Romantics in England, also This album has been recorded at DZZ Studio 5 in Moscow in April 2013. written by the “dark romantic” poet, a subject worthy of debate. And this English poet, who became famous known as the Dark Romantics. His The organ has been recorded separately at the St. Ludwig Kirche in Berlin. Lord Byron. Tchaikovsky devoted may, in fact, be the reason... as “Lord Byron”, underwent and heroes, often his alter egos, rebel against fossilized social Spirits, which appear to him, and symphony, it gives a rather more of Berlioz’ Harold in Italy – based combined with an intensive reading of Manfred in his composition? The Perhaps this is one of the reasons First movement: Lento lugubre structures and present themselves are of no use; he at last goes to strife-torn and inconclusive account on Byron’s Childe Harold’s of Byron’s Manfred, finally led the world première took place in Moscow why the Manfred Symphony is – “Manfred is wandering in the as strife-torn figures, to whom on the very abode of the Evil Principle, of itself, as does likewise its title Pilgrimage – in 1867, the Russian composer to change his mind. He on March 11, 1886 under the direction comparatively – rarely performed in Alps. His life has been shattered, the one hand in their vulnerability in propriâ personâ, to evocate a character. And thus studies involving critic Vladimir Stasov decided to accepted Balakirev’s proposal, and of Max Erdmannsdörfer. The concert. many burning questions remain and restlessness nothing human is ghost, which appears, and gives the Manfred Symphony often design a scenario based on Byron’s in April 1885 set to work with great following is the brief yet eloquent unanswered, he has nothing left but alien; yet who, on the other hand, him an ambiguous and disagreeable deal with the dilemma of whether Manfred, subsequently asking Mila zeal, completing the composition conclusion Tchaikovsky jotted down Elemental portrait of the soul and memories. The vision of his ideal, pursue their goals with passion and answer; and in the third act, he is this piece is, in fact, a symphony, Balakirev to set it to music. In turn, the following September. “My mood in his diary: “A semi-success, but kitschy transfiguration? – The Astarte, drifts through his senses; in determination. For this archetype, found by his attendants dying in or whether it should perhaps be Balakirev immediately approached is very gloomy anyway. I’m working nevertheless, an ovation”; and to music vain he calls after her, but only the scholars of literature have coined a tower where he had studied his classified as a symphonic poem, due Berlioz, who, however, rejected the on a very difficult and complicated Nadezhda von Meck he wrote that Balakirev had indeed submitted echo of the rocks repeats her name. the term “Byronic hero”, as one art.” Thus wrote Byron in a letter to its underlying programme. Of composition due to ill health. Fifteen symphonic work (theme: Byron’s he considered Manfred to be his best a detailed literary programme; He is tormented by thoughts and who combines the passion of the dating from 1817. Although Manfred course, Tchaikovsky himself added years later, Balakirev again set out Manfred), of which the content symphonic work yet, although only however, Tchaikovsky adhered memories, he seeks oblivion that no- romantic artist with the egoism of places only himself centre stage, somewhat to the confusion by not to find a composer; and this time is so tragic that I myself am also four years later he described it as only to the broad outlines in his one can give him.” the self-centred loner. The perfect at the end he is also willing to take including the Manfred Symphony he chose Tchaikovsky. But the latter gradually turning into a Manfred,” an “abominable composition,” and composition. He preceded each of The three-part first movement expression of this type of hero is responsibility for his actions. This among his numbered symphonies, was reluctant to accept: he was thus he wrote to his friend and said he was seriously considering the four movements with a concise opens with the dark and rugged reflected in the title role of Byron’s Faustian character later represented while yet naming it as such. Thus, familiar with Schumann’s incidental patroness Nadezhda von Meck on destroying it. Thus, this work has explanation. The work is composed Manfred theme in the bass clarinet dramatic poem Manfred, written an artistic challenge to many Tchaikovsky’s lengthiest symphonic music to Manfred, and was not sure August 3, 1885. One can certainly been characterized by turmoil from for an extended orchestra, and and bassoon, permeating the in 1817. “I forgot to mention to you composers and artists. The most work, written somewhere between that he could add anything new to deduce from these words that the beginning onwards – in the includes special instruments, such entire symphony as a leitthema that a kind of Poem in dialogue famous musical settings, apart his Symphony No. 4 and Symphony the subject. Tchaikovsky recognized a kindred case of the poet, the hero, and the as the harp, the bass clarinet and, in (analogous to Berlioz’ “idée fixe” (in blank verse) or Drama […] is from Robert Schumann’s incidental No. 5, retains a stylistically However, at the end of 1884, spirit in Byron’s hero: disappointed composer. And in part also in the the finale, also the organ. In short, in his Symphonie fantastique). finished; […] the hero a kind of music, include Tchaikovsky’s unparalleled position. Tchaikovsky travelled to Switzerland by life, vainly pursuing an ideal. case of the listener, to whom the the best conditions under which Here, Tchaikovsky confronts magician, who is tormented by Manfred Symphony, Op. 58 in to visit his dying friend Iosif Kotek For the composer was also torn piece may often seem confusing to set the psychological portrait the listener with the depths of a species of remorse, the cause particular. Although the title page “Indescribable troubles” – the one last time. The experience of the apart by inner conflict – could he and overly ornate, if he is not aware of Manfred to music in a versatile Manfred’s tortured and cursed of which is left half unexplained. suggests that the work clearly creation of the Manfred Symphony glorious Alps surrounding Davos and perhaps interweave his “own need of Byron’s original work, on which manner.

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