Manfred Symphony

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Manfred Symphony in B minor, Op. 58 is a symphony composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky between May and September 1885. It is based on the poem Manfred written by Lord Byron in 1817. It is the only one of Tchaikovsky's symphonies that is not numbered; it was written between the fourth and fifth symphonies. Some regard it as one of Tchaikovsky's most brilliant and inspirational works; conductor Arturo Toscanini considered it the composer's greatest work. However, others despise it. According to music critic David Hurwitz, composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein referred to it as "trash" and never recorded it.

The symphony has been recorded many times, with recordings made by major orchestras and conductors. Conductors who have recorded the work include Maazel, Previn, Ormandy, Termikanov, Svetlanov, Muti, Marketvitch, Litton, Pletnev, Fedoseyev, and others. Manfred is less frequently performed in concert. This is due to its length, unfamiliarity, and its requirement for a large orchestra. It is also thought to be very difficult to play well.

Hector Berlioz, by inspiring many Russian composers, played a part in the origins of Manfred. Mily Balakirev had the original idea, though he thought it was not in his character to engage in such composition. As he explained in a letter to Tchaikovsky in October 9, 1882, "this magnificent subject is unsuitable, it doesn't harmonise with my inner frame of mind".

The subject was forgotten for a number of years until 1885, when Tchaikovsky purchased a copy of Byron's 'Manfred' and engaged in composing the symphony. Balakirev had written the programme which was to be followed to the last detail - even the key signatures and modulations which were to be used - but Tchaikovsky chose to write it in his own style. Initially, he considered it, as usual, to be one of his best compositions, but wanted, a few years later, to destroy the score, though that intention was never carried out.

The Manfred Symphony was first performed in Moscow on March 1886, with Max Erdmannsdörfer as conductor. It is dedicated to Mily Balakirev and takes approximately 58 minutes to perform. (Toscanini, however, excised some portions and trimmed it down to 45 minutes in his performances of the work.)

It is scored for 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets in A, B-flat bass clarinet, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 cornets, 2 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, tam-tam, bells, triangle, tambourine, 2 harps, 1st and 2nd violins, violas, cellos, double basses and organ, featured briefly in the climatic coda of the finale.