TCHAIKOVSKY Fatum Symphonic Poem Op 77 part 1
Tchaikovsky started the symphonic poem Fatum between late September and early October 1868.[1] He put the work aside to devote his attention to the touring Belgian soprano Désirée Artôt, with whom he had fallen in love (or so he thought). They discussed marriage, and planned to meet again in the summer of 1869 in Paris to develop their plans. She then left for Warsaw to continue her tour with her opera company. Tchaikovsky completed the outline of the work by 21 October/2 November, and completed the scoring in December 1868.[1] Its first performance took place on 15/27 February 1869 at the eighth concert by the Russian Musical Society in Moscow, conducted by Nikolai Rubinstein. Tchaikovsky had not written it with any known program, but for the premiere performance, the text of verses by Konstantin Batyushkov about the futility of human life were added as an epigraph to the score[2], although it is not certain that this was Tchaikovsky's idea, or that he was even familiar with those verses.[1] While the audience were baffled by the discrepancy between the melancholy theme of the Batyushkov verses and the brighter tenor of the music - its majestic introduction, lyrical and dance-like allegro, and cheerful finale - they nevertheless applauded the music warmly. On the evening of the debut, Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother Anatoli, "It seems to be the best thing I have written so far; at least, that is what people are saying (a considerable success)."[2] Other critics also <b>...</b>
