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New York Times Archive

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


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