Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the composer, died on November 6, 1893, in St. Petersburg, officially from cholera.
Performer Biography
Dmitrij Kitajenko, the conductor, won the first International Herbert von Karajan Conducting Competition in Berlin in 1969 at the age of 29.
Recording & Production
This album is part of a complete recording of Tchaikovsky's symphonies with the Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, currently being released by OehmsClassics.
Composition History
Tchaikovsky dedicated his last work, the Symphonie Pathétique, to his nephew Vladimir Davidov, known as 'Bobik', who was also his universal heir.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Tchaikovsky intended the Symphonie Pathétique to be a 'programmatic symphony' with a program that would 'keep everybody guessing'.
Performer Biography
The Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, one of Germany's leading orchestras, has premiered numerous major works, including Brahms' Double Concerto, Mahler's 5th Symphony, and Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel.
Compositional Technique
The second movement of the Pathétique Symphony is an Allegro con grazia, a waltz in an irregular 5/4 time, departing from Tchaikovsky's usual slow second movements.
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