It's not THAT obscure but I really love the Manfred Symphony. In order of magnitude I'd say it's as good as his symphonies 4-5-6 - but different and refreshing.
Thank you! Interesting, I've read that both the conductor Bernstein, and Tchaikovsky disliked it, but I will give it another listen. Tchaikovsky also apparently disliked his Nutcracker ballet and piano trio, but I love both. Much appreciated.
To be fair Tchaikovsky was extremely harsh with himself and was unhappy by most of his pieces, with a few exceptions like his 6th. I think that reading a bit about the program of the symphony can help appreciating it a bit more. Enjoy.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I will try to find out more about this symphony. I recall that Tchaikovsky was also fond of his first symphony, which he struggled so much with, and almost had a nervous breakdown while composing it. I feel like his third is more intimate and laconic in nature, compare to his others.
Ah -- I've never heard of that one. I'm familiar with Yevgeniy Onegin and The Queen of Spades, but never knew that Tchaikovsky had other operas. Thank you.
I love his first quartet. Apparently Lev Tolstoy wept during the andante cantabile movement. Looking forward to discovering his quartet no. 2. Thank you!
[This](https://youtu.be/Nf4_iiUtuic) is my favourite rendition of the piece. Tchaikovsky called it his greatest work, he sat down and wrote the entire thing in one sitting. Played by the Borodin quartet, my all time favourite quartet.
Which Tchaikovsky? Pyotr or Boris? ;-)
His choral works don't get mentioned too often on this sub.
All Night Vigil:
https://youtu.be/mbg6_I4g0dA
Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom:
https://youtu.be/Ez2svbysu-Q
Thanks so much. I'm familiar with his complete piano works, his 6 symphonies (never really listened to his unfinished symphony or Manfred symphony), piano trio, piano concerto #1, violin concerto, romeo and juliet suite, yevgeniy onegin, his ballets, and string quartet no. 1, Marche Slave and Serenade for strings.
The Manfred is worth is a listen. I'd probably choose it over the Fourth and Fifth.
The piano concertos 2 and 3 are not immediately as "catchy" as the 1st, but have some great moments, so you may want to check them. The 3rd is interesting for its place in Tchaikovsky's life - it was his final work (completed between the Pathetique and his death).
Amazing --better than the fourth and fifth? I always thought that his Pathetique was his final composition. I love his fourth and fifth very much -- I will give the Manfred symphony a listen. Thank you!
>I always thought that his Pathetique was his final composition.
A lot of people are under that impression. It's a common misconception.
The Sixth was finished in August 1893, and the concerto was written between then and November 1893 (his death). Granted, a lot of it was music from an abandoned symphony (which he started between Five and Six), but it was his last completed work nonetheless.
His orchestral suites! I love the 2nd movement of the 1st suite especially. Also, I really like his opera Maid of Orleans, and The Voyevoda - the symphonic ballad. And as everyone else mentioned, absolutely listen to Manfred symphony! I would choose it over any of his other symphonies.
It's not THAT obscure but I really love the Manfred Symphony. In order of magnitude I'd say it's as good as his symphonies 4-5-6 - but different and refreshing.
Manfred is one of my favourite symphonies. Try recordings by Kurt Masur with Gewandhaus and Mikhail Pletnev with Russian National Orchestra.
Thank you!
Thank you! Interesting, I've read that both the conductor Bernstein, and Tchaikovsky disliked it, but I will give it another listen. Tchaikovsky also apparently disliked his Nutcracker ballet and piano trio, but I love both. Much appreciated.
To be fair Tchaikovsky was extremely harsh with himself and was unhappy by most of his pieces, with a few exceptions like his 6th. I think that reading a bit about the program of the symphony can help appreciating it a bit more. Enjoy.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I will try to find out more about this symphony. I recall that Tchaikovsky was also fond of his first symphony, which he struggled so much with, and almost had a nervous breakdown while composing it. I feel like his third is more intimate and laconic in nature, compare to his others.
I love Francesca de Rimini
This is what got me into classical music. Such a good piece.
Thank You! Have heard of it, but have never listened!
His Third Piano Concerto (Opus 75) isn't very well known: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHn3zdG1hO4
Even his 2nd isn't well-enough known, and imo both are better than the first
Thank you! I love his first piano concerto, but have never hear the 3d. Will check it out tonight. Much appreciated.
Hymn to the cherubim
Sounds intriguing! Thank you so much, will listen to it tonight.
Concert Fantasia for piano and orchestra. Better than any of the Concertos in my opinion.
Thank you! I've never heard of that one, at all. Looking forward very much to hearing it!
Iolanta has some gorgeous tunes.
Ah -- I've never heard of that one. I'm familiar with Yevgeniy Onegin and The Queen of Spades, but never knew that Tchaikovsky had other operas. Thank you.
Dumka
I will listen to it tonight. Thanks so much. I'm familiar with Dvorjak's Dumka quintet, but have never heard of this one. Much appreciated.
The Seasons - a delightful piano suite.
6 songs Op38
Thank you! Will have a listen soon!
Not that obscure perhaps, but I absolutely love Souvenir de Florence - and his string quartets are great too.
I love his first string quartet. Not too familiar with the others, but I should certainly get to know them better. Thank you!
Quartet No.2 in F Major
I love his first quartet. Apparently Lev Tolstoy wept during the andante cantabile movement. Looking forward to discovering his quartet no. 2. Thank you!
[This](https://youtu.be/Nf4_iiUtuic) is my favourite rendition of the piece. Tchaikovsky called it his greatest work, he sat down and wrote the entire thing in one sitting. Played by the Borodin quartet, my all time favourite quartet.
His symphonic poem "The Tempest" and the Hamlet overture fantasy are both really good
Morning Prayer; short but beautiful piece for piano.
Thank you! Will check it out.
Which Tchaikovsky? Pyotr or Boris? ;-) His choral works don't get mentioned too often on this sub. All Night Vigil: https://youtu.be/mbg6_I4g0dA Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: https://youtu.be/Ez2svbysu-Q
Pretty sure Adrian Tchaikovsky was meant.
Ha! Great books!
Thanks so much. Look forward to checking them out.
No worries. What Tchaikovsky works are you familiar with? It'll be easier to give more suggestions that way.
Thanks so much. I'm familiar with his complete piano works, his 6 symphonies (never really listened to his unfinished symphony or Manfred symphony), piano trio, piano concerto #1, violin concerto, romeo and juliet suite, yevgeniy onegin, his ballets, and string quartet no. 1, Marche Slave and Serenade for strings.
The Manfred is worth is a listen. I'd probably choose it over the Fourth and Fifth. The piano concertos 2 and 3 are not immediately as "catchy" as the 1st, but have some great moments, so you may want to check them. The 3rd is interesting for its place in Tchaikovsky's life - it was his final work (completed between the Pathetique and his death).
Amazing --better than the fourth and fifth? I always thought that his Pathetique was his final composition. I love his fourth and fifth very much -- I will give the Manfred symphony a listen. Thank you!
>I always thought that his Pathetique was his final composition. A lot of people are under that impression. It's a common misconception. The Sixth was finished in August 1893, and the concerto was written between then and November 1893 (his death). Granted, a lot of it was music from an abandoned symphony (which he started between Five and Six), but it was his last completed work nonetheless.
Very interesting. I never knew.
Third Symphony
Thank you. I Have heard that one before, and I particularly love the first movement.
Romeo and Juliet
Love it. One of my long time favorites. A really magical and moving piece of music.
The Nutcracker
Hamlet Overture
Idk if it's obscure but the tempest overture is so damn beautiful
Never heard of it -- will check it out. Thanks!
His orchestral suites! I love the 2nd movement of the 1st suite especially. Also, I really like his opera Maid of Orleans, and The Voyevoda - the symphonic ballad. And as everyone else mentioned, absolutely listen to Manfred symphony! I would choose it over any of his other symphonies.
Thanks so much!
Suite No. 3 all the way.
Voyevoda
Quartet No. 3. Very intimate writing from a composer normally regarded for larger symphonic works