Symphony 6 Pathétique

Tchaikovsky conducted the first performance of his Sixth Symphony in St. Petersburg only nine days before he died in somewhat mysterious circumstances - was it suicide or not? Did he deliberately and knowingly drink cholera-infected water? Was he about to be denounced to the State as a homosexual? Recently, scholars have suggested that he did indeed commit suicide having been found guilty of an illicit relationship with a member of the Imperial Family. On the other hand the eminent musicologist, Richard Taruskin, never one to beat around any bush, believes the "suicide" theories to be nonsense. According to his sources, Tchaikovsky spent a cheerful last week of his life which included a visit to the theatre in St. Petersburg. Discussing spiritualism and death with his brother and a leading actor he remarked, "There is plenty of time before we need reckon with this horror; it will not come to snatch us off just yet!" adding, "I feel I shall live a long time." These are riddles for the scholars to tease out while we enjoy the glories of Tchaikovsky's music.

Our composer had arrived in St. Petersburg on the mail train from Moscow in good spirits on 10th October 1893. His only matter of concern was the lukewarm response from the musicians during rehearsals for the premiere of the Sixth. Tchaikovsky set great store by the opinion of the players, conducting with enthusiasm only when he was sure that his works appealed to the orchestra. His brother Modeste says, "To obtain delicate nuances and a good balance of tone he needed his surroundings to be sympathetic and appreciative. A look of indifference, a coolness on the part of any orchestra, seemed to paralyse him; he lost his head, went through the work perfunctorily, and cut the rehearsal as short as possible, so as to release the musicians from a wearisome task". This is most likely one of the reasons that, at the concert on the 16th of October, the piece fell rather flat with both audience and press. While not directly critical, there was a good deal of "faint praise" evident with one newspaper going so far as to say, "as to inspiration, it stands far below Tchaikovsky's other Symphonies". Perversely, Tchaikovsky remained upbeat about his newest creation expressing the opinion that it was, "the best thing I ever composed or ever shall compose". The morning after the concert, Modeste found his brother sitting at the breakfast table with the score of the Symphony in front of him. Tchaikovsky wanted more than the bare number 6 for his work but, having abandoned the idea of calling it a "programme symphony", was unable to think of a suitable title. Modeste first suggested "Tragic" which displeased his brother and then "Pathetic". "Bravo, Modeste, splendid! Pathetic!", exclaimed Tchaikovsky, there and then adding the new title to the score. The meaning of the English word "Pathetic" has moved on and here is a case where it is surely not an affectation to use the French "Pathétique" which has much more of a suitable resonance to our ears. In a letter to his publisher he wrote, "It is very strange about this Symphony. It was not exactly a failure, but was received with some hesitation. As far as I am concerned, I am prouder of it than of any of my previous works. However, we can soon talk it over together, for I shall be in Moscow on Saturday". That meeting did not take place as Tchaikovsky died of cholera in the early hours of 25th October.

We know now that Tchaikovsky was right. The Sixth Symphony is a work treasured by many from an archive of memorable works by an artistic genius. The emotional balance of the four movements is fascinating. The first and fourth movements display turmoil and conflict whilst the second and third are brilliant displays of Tchaikovsky's inventive orchestration and colour.. The second movement, with its five beats to the bar, is a slightly out-of-step waltz - charming and colourful with a wistful second theme to answer the cellos' sweeping opening idea. And, who could not fail to be thrilled by the exhilaration of the brilliant third movement March? Tchaikovsky really does know how to build up excitement. As the movement moves inevitably to its formidable climax, listeners, players and conductor are almost overwhelmed by its energy. It is not surprising that this movement often generates spontaneous applause, not the least as a means of releasing the almost unbearable tension created! It is essential to have some moments of repose before embarking on the pathos of the finale - truly a revelation of deep emotions without the catharsis of a fulfilling resolution. More like deep despair it seems to me.