Tchaikovsky considered his turbulent Symphony No.4 to be his best work – hear it alongside a jazz reimagining of what might be his most famous composition.
In a key cross-over moment in music, African American jazz icons Duke Ellington and arranger Billy Strayhorn paid homage to Tchaikovsky with their sultry and syncopated reimagining of the Nutcracker Suite.
The studio album was released in 1960. In recent years, the nine-movement work has been revived on the orchestral scene with the publication of the score in 2010.
The backbone of the orchestra is brought to the fore in Andrzej Panufnik’s five-movement Concertino for timpani, percussion and strings.
The solo moments, accompanied by strings, draw out the expressive power and ‘singing’ quality of the timpani and percussion through their precision, rhythm and resonance.
Composed between 1877 and 1878, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.4 was dedicated to Nadezhda von Meck, the composer’s eccentric patron, who made it a condition of her support that Tchaikovsky and she should never meet, and they never did.
Emulating Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, the symphony explores the theme of Fate, ‘…the power which prevents one from attaining the goal of happiness.’
In his letters to von Meck, he explains how he transcribed the experiences of his own turbulent life into musical form, illustrating where the motifs of despair and weight of reality give way to interludes of joy.
More Lambeth Listings MORE
Coriolanus
Unrivalled in the art of war, undefeated on the field of battle, Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest soldier. …
Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION
Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company explodes onto the stage with this exuberant performance, paying homage to the wealth and…
Premier Gospel Awards 2024
Experience the joy gospel brings at an unforgettable evening of celebration featuring the biggest names from the UK,…
Can you Hair Me?
A focus on Afro-textured Hair and Cancer-related Afro Hair Loss. We will have guest speakers, storytelling, games and…
Island Movements Ballet Performance
Island Movements is a short ballet that tells the epic story of Windrush and explores the impact of…
Black Business In Brixton: The History and the Future
Join a panel of Black business owners and managers to discuss the past, present and future of Brixton’s…
Brixton Poets Celebrate Benjamin Zephaniah
Benjamin Zephaniah started writing poetry at a young age, adding many more skills to his sharp wit and…
Celebrate National Poetry Day – Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Night
Celebrate 30 years of National Poetry Day at Upper Norwood Library this Black History Month with the theme…