A FAMOUS COMPOSER DEAD; TSCHAIKOWSKY'S MUSICAL CAREER
The New York Times obituary of Tchaikovsky's
death on November 6, 1893, the date of his passing. Plans were in
motion for a revisit to the States. Damrosch received the packet
containing the Pathetique after the composers death and the symphony
received its American premier early in 1894. You will note that his
death is attributed to his drinking of tainted water at a local
restaraunt.
TSCHAIKOWSKY'S SWAN SONG; PRODUCTION OF THE MASTER
On March 18, 1894, four months after the composer's death the
Pathetique symphony was premiered in America with Walter Damrosch
conducting the New York Symphony orchestra in what appears to be a
glowing performance, even then unforgettable...Walter Damrosch had been
instrumental in getting Tchaikovsky to take part in the opening of
Carnegie Hall only three years earlier. Tchaikovsky wanted Damrosch to
be the first to perform his last symphony in America and managed to have
the score and parts sent to him before his passing.
"PIQUE DAME" FOR THE FIRST TIME
Mahler's last conducting stint was at New York's Metropolitan Opera
on March 10, 1910...it was Tchaikovsky's Pique Dame. The first time an
opera of this composer was performed in the states according to the
review.... the review is more than apt in describing the drama and
scenario as it enfolds...i think it is a fair and honest appraisal of
the operas pros and cons. Tho not a deep admirer of Tchaikovsky's art, Mahler nevertheless championed Tchaikovsky's work. Mahler was the first
to introduce Tchaikovsky's operas to Germany.
Al Gasparo
CORRECTION:...Under New York Archive....dated Feb 29, 2008
My last entry under "Pique Dame' For The First Time" should read
"Mahler's last conducting stint at New York's Metropolitan Opera on
March 10, 1910 was Tchaikovsky's Pique Dame....it was the last opera he
conducted at the Met....Mahler was to die in May of 1911...leaving his
last symphony unfinished......by that time he had assumed the
conductorship of the NY Philharmonic...."
Albert Gasparo
Fascinating reading. An interesting and very thourough and
sympathetic review of the first Pathetique in America. Thanks for
sharing.
Erling Eliasson
IT STOOD THE TEST WELL; THE FIRST CONCERT IN THE NEW MUSIC HALL
Opening night at Carnegie Hall......May 5, 1891.....Tchaikovsky had a
small part in the opening....conducting his Marche Solenelle originally
written for the coronation of Tsar Alexander lll in 1883......he was
greeted as "one of the high figures of the music of today"....the
majority of the concert went to Berlioz "Te Deum"......the greater part
of the article concerns itself with a description of the architectural
details of the hall....
Albert Gasparo
TCHAIKOVSKY'S
CORONATION MARCH
As I realize that many people may not be familiar with this piece
written for the Tsar's Coronation of 1883 {also known as the Marche
Solonelle) and performed in the opening concert of Carnegie Hall, I am
including it here....the sound as with may of these utubes is not the
best....it is not one of the composers best efforts written as it was to
satisfy a commission...
Albert Gasparo