Two Excerpts from "The Pathetic Symphony"

From Wind Repertory Project
Peter I Tchaikovsky

Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky (arr. Percy Fletcher)


The underlying symphony bears the nickname Pathétique and the designation Opus 74.


General Info

Year: 1893 / 1912
Duration:
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Movements

1. Andante from 1st Movement
2. March from 3rd Movement


Instrumentation

Condensed Score
D-flat Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet Solo-I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
B-flat Trumpet
E-flat Horn or Alto I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare drum


Errata

  • Note contradictions between the program notes from the score and from Wikipedia.
  • The 1912 title actually uses the description "pathetic" rather than "pathétique."


Program Notes

The celebrated Russian composer's sixth and last symphony was written in 1893 – the year of his death. The title Pathetic was given to it by the composer after the first performance on account of the feeling that he had that the meaning of the work was not altogether understood. The excerpts here presented are arrangements of two of the best known portions of the work. The Beautiful Andante appears in the original after a gloomy and restless opening, and seems to breathe a message of consolation. The fiery March is based on a little theme of two bars, which is worked up into a stirring and brilliant movement, worthy of being regarded as one of Tchaikovsky's finest accomplishments.

- Program Note from score


The Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, also known as the Pathétique Symphony, is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's final completed symphony, written between February and the end of August 1893. The composer entitled the work "The Passionate Symphony", employing a Russian word, Патетическая (Pateticheskaya), meaning "passionate" or "emotional", which was then (mis-translated into French as pathétique, meaning "solemn" or "emotive".

The work consists of four movements: Adagio – Allegro non troppo; Allegro con grazia; Allegro molto vivace; Finale: Adagio lamentoso.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media

None discovered thus far.


State Ratings

  • California: SCSBOA Band Music List Grade 4


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Karl L. King Municipal Band (Fort Dodge, Iowa) (Jerrold P. Jimmerson, conductor) - 10 July 2022


Works for Winds by this Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources