Symphony No. 2 (Tchaikovsky)

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The Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17, known as the "Little Russian", of Tchaikovsky, was composed in 1872.

1 Composition
2 Premiere
3 Orchestration
4 Form
5 Sources
6 Trivia
7 External Links

[edit] Composition

The composition was written between June and November 1872, but the piece was revised between December 1879 and January 1880. The nickname the "Little Russian" comes from Nikolai Dimitrievich Kashkine, a well-known Tchaikovsky musical critic of Moscow. The nickname was also that of the Ukraine, and Kashkine found it suitable since that the piece includes several Ukrainian-like folk tunes.

[edit] Premiere

The premiere of the 1872 version (original) took place in Moscow on January 26/February 7, 1873, under the direction of Nikolai Rubinstein. The 1879-1880 version (revised) was played for the first time at Saint Petersberg, January 31/February 12, 1881, under the direction of Karl Zike.

[edit] Orchestration

The symphony is written for an orchestra consisting of a piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, a set of timpani, cymbals, a bass drum, a tam-tam, and strings comprised of the usual first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.

[edit] Form

Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo (C minor).
Andantino marziale, quasi moderato (E-flat major).
Scherzo. Allegro molto vivace (C minor).
Finale. Moderato assai - Allegro vivo (C major).

[edit] Sources

Hans Keller: 'Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky', in Vol. I of 'The Symphony', ed. Robert Simpson (Harmondsworth, 1966).

[edit] Trivia

The symphony is dedicated to the Muscovite branch of the Russian Imperial Company of Music.
The 1872 version of the symphony lasts approximately 40 minutes, and the 1879-1880 version lasts 35 minutes.
The most frequently played version is the 1879-1880 version, although its superiority over the 1872 version is discussed.
Tchaikovsky arranged his second symphony for two pianos (four hands) in May - September 1873. He revised his work in December 1879 - January 1880.