Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893), was a Russian
composer of the romantic period, some of whose works
are among the most popular music in the classical
repertoire. He was the first Russian composer whose
music made a lasting impression internationally,
bolstered by his appearances as a guest conductor in
Europe and the United States. He was honored in 1884 by
Emperor Alexander III, and awarded a lifetime
pension.
Tchaikovsky wrote many works that are popular with the
classical mu...(+)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893), was a Russian
composer of the romantic period, some of whose works
are among the most popular music in the classical
repertoire. He was the first Russian composer whose
music made a lasting impression internationally,
bolstered by his appearances as a guest conductor in
Europe and the United States. He was honored in 1884 by
Emperor Alexander III, and awarded a lifetime
pension.
Tchaikovsky wrote many works that are popular with the
classical music public, including his Romeo and Juliet,
the 1812 Overture, his three ballets (The Nutcracker,
Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty) and Marche Slav. These,
along with his First Piano Concerto and his Violin
Concerto, the last three of his six numbered symphonies
and his operas The Queen of Spades and Eugene Onegin,
are among his most familiar works. Almost as popular
are the Manfred Symphony, Francesca da Rimini, the
Capriccio Italien and the Serenade for Strings.
The Sleeping Beauty is a ballet in a prologue and three
acts, first performed in 1890. The music was composed
by Tchaikovsky (his opus 66). The score was completed
in 1889, and is the second of his three ballets. The
original scenario was conceived by Ivan Vsevolozhsky,
and is based on Charles Perrault's La Belle au bois
dormant. Most famously, there's the waltz from Act 1.
After an exciting, anticipatory introduction, the
bright, gently swaying waltz itself begins in the
strings, with a second, more staccato strain punctuated
by brass chords. The principal melody reappears against
chirping figures in the woodwinds, only to give way to
a charming episode for flute and glockenspiel. The
entire waltz, minus the introduction, is then repeated,
and ends with a festive coda.
In 1890, Alexander Siloti was approached to arrange the
music for piano duet. He declined, but suggested his
then 17-year-old cousin Sergei Rachmaninoff would be
more than competent. This offer was accepted, although
Siloti supervised the arrangement. Rachmaninoff himself
arranged the entire score for piano solo. It is from
this score that I created the following interpretation
of the Grande valse villageoise (a.k.a. The Garland
Waltz) from Act I No. 6.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sleeping_Beauty_(bal
let) );
Although originally composed for Orchestra (and later
re-arranged for Piano Duet by Sergei Rachmaninoff), I
created this interpretation of the Grande Valse
Villageoise (Op. 66 Act.1 No. 6) for Flute & Strings (2
Violins, Viola & Cello).
