Originally posted by baroque flute@Aug 7 2004, 08:18 AM
I have only heard the waltz from Eugin Onegin. BUt I like that one a lot. I have very mixed feelings about Tchaikovsky. SOme of his music I strongly dislike, and some of it I love passionately! 
[snapback]1322[/snapback]
I didn't know there was a waltz :huh:
last time I heard it there was a polonaise. :lol:
it might surprize alot of people that the polonaise, while being the most famous part of the opera, is really less special than the rest of the opera, however, it is so famous because it's the only part that could be cut out, and could make a concert piece by itself. (some of the arias could stand on their feet, but people aren't generally interested in someone babbling about in russian)
the overture is short, and very much to the point, not exactly a standalone piece, more like a prelude or something of that sort.
I think I understand what you mean about some of tschaikowsky's music, particularly the cymbal use, referred to by daniel.
my theory is, tschaikowsky often feels upset at that the people going in the streets, being happy, oblivious of anybody else, and generally being "superficial", while feeling somewhat "left out", the use of cymbals, brass, and other means of making something loud and vulgar are tschaikowsky's way of emphasizing the superficiality and self absorbance of the general public, while in the same movements, slipping in a couple of sad themes expressing his solitude, and his inability to blend in with all the "happy" people.
this occurs for example in the last movement of his violin concerto, which was seen by the viennese critics as quite vulgar, due to its gypsy like character and orchestration... in the same generally happy and "boucy" movement, tschaikowsky slips in a theme of incredible sadness, carried by the woodwinds.
I guess this is tschaikowsky's way of expressing his isolation from all the crowds and noise going around him.
then again, it could just be that tschaikowsky really sucks at trying to be happy :lol:
(this also occurs in the last movement of the fourth symphony for example, while it beginns in quite a messy, fast, loud, and cymbal-heavy part, tschaikowsky himself wrote in a letter that he was trying to express the crowds, running about in superficial happiness. oh, and he finds alot of room for melodies in the middle of the movement, particulary sad ones).
sorry for being so defensive (tschaikowsky is after all my favourite
)
Amr
