Tchaikovsky in Paris

Synopsis

When we think of Russian music in Paris, the name Sergei Diaghilev comes first to mind. In the early years of the 20th century, that famous Russian impresario saw to it that not only the new music of Stravinsky was performed in the French capital, but also a historical panorama of earlier Russian works, including Mussorgsky’s opera, Boris Godunov.

But even before Diaghilev, Russian music figured prominently at the famous Universal Expositions held in Paris in the latter 19th century. On today’s date in 1878, for example, Tchaikovsky’s Valse-Scherzo for violin and orchestra received its premiere at an Exposition concert conducted by the composer’s compatriot Nicolai Rubinstein. In addition to this brand-new work, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and symphonic fantasia The Tempest were also performed.

Tchaikovsky was back home in Russia, curious to know how his works fared in Paris. He wrote to a friend: “Have you been to any of the Russian concerts in Paris? According to some newspapers my compositions were a great success, to others a failure. I cannot get at the truth.” Fortunately, when Rubinstein returned to Russia, he was able to report first-hand that Tchaikovsky’s music had, indeed, been very well received.

Music Played in Today's Program

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): The Firebird (1919 revision); Minnesota Orchestra; Eiji Oue, conductor; Reference 70

Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Valse-Scherzo; Gil Shaham, violin; Russian National Orchestra; Mikhail Pletnev, conductor; DG 457 064

On This Day

Births

• 1880 - Italian composer Ildebrando Pizetti, in Parma

• 1885 - Frequently cited birth date of American composer and jazz pianist Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton, in New Orleans. This date has been proven incorrect (See October 20, 1890).

• 1900 - Finnish composer Unno Klami, in Virolahti

Deaths

• 1908 - Spanish violin virtuoso and composer Pablo de Sarasate, 63, in Biarritz

• 1957 - Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, 91, in Järvenpää

Premieres

• 1878 - Tchaikovsky: Valse-Scherzo for violin and orchestra, in Paris, with Nicolai Rubinstein conducting and Stanislaw Barcewicz the soloist;

• 1930 - first public performance of Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 5, at Queen’s Hall in London, Sir Henry Wood conducting. The first performance ever of this music occurred two days earlier, when Elgar himself recorded his new march at HMV’s London studios.

• 1954 - Stravinsky: In Memoriam Dylan Thomas, in Los Angeles, conducted by Robert Craft. Stravinsky had met Welsh poet Dylan Thomas the previous year, and they had discussed collaborating on an opera project, but Thomas died on November 9, 1953.

• 1975 - Jack Beeson: opera Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines in Kansas City, Missouri