The Manfred Problem
Donald Macleod re-evaluates Tchaikovsky's controversial Manfred Symphony of 1885, presenting a rare complete performance by the Russian National Orchestra under Mikhail Pletnev.
Donald Macleod ends his week exploring Tchaikovsky's 'lost decade' with the black sheep of his orchestral oeuvre - a symphony that's not really a symphony; a work that the great conductor Leonard Bernstein called 'junk' and refused to perform; and yet one that contains some of the most beautiful and lyrical moments in his entire output.
At first, the composer adored his programmatic "Manfred Symphony" of 1885. Inspired by Lord Byron's poem, the process of writing the piece took him several anguished months - and yet, just a few months after he'd basked in satisfaction at its premiere, Tchaikovsky was to reject it forever. "Abominable", he said. "I loathe it deeply".
Since then, the work's been a pariah - included almost apologetically on box sets of complete Tchaikovsky symphonies. Time for a re-evaluation; Donald Macleod presents a rare complete performance by the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Pletnev.
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Music Played
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Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Suite no.4: "Mozartiana" (excerpt), Op.61 (1887)
Performer: Detroit Symphony Orchestra / Neeme Järvi
- CHANDOS CHAN9676.
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Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
"Manfred" Symphony in Four Scenes after Byron's Dramatic Poem (1885)
Performer: Russian National Orchestra / Mikhail Pletnev
- DEUTCHE GRAMMOPHON 4398912.
Broadcasts
- Fri 15 Oct 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 15 Oct 201022:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 6 May 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 6 May 201118:30BBC Radio 3
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