Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

Featuring

Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Philharmonia Orchestra
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Tchaikovsky was highly self-critical, admitting that if he had known Delibes's ballet Sylvia, he might not have written Swan Lake.

Composition History

The scenario for Swan Lake, featuring a swan queen and a prince, seems to have been almost entirely Tchaikovsky's own idea, possibly based on a tale he told his nieces and nephews.

Notable Performances

A revised version of Swan Lake's Act II, performed on March 1, 1894, was a resounding success and led to the revision of the entire ballet.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded in the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London, on November 3rd, 2019.

Critical Reception

The first version of Tchaikovsky's ballet, Swan Lake, was not particularly successful, but a revised version achieved great acclaim shortly after his death.

Composition History

The initial lukewarm reception of Swan Lake's 1877 premiere was largely attributed to the choreographer, Julius Reisinger, who produced 'rather wooden vignettes'.

Performer Biography

Santtu-Matias Rouvali is the sixth Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra, following notable figures like Otto Klemperer and Esa-Pekka Salonen.