How many symphonies did Tchaikovsky write? Neither much nor little, but as many as seven. And all - they are brilliant

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is a Russian composer of the 19th century. His music is characterized by colorful, romantic and extraordinary melodic richness. Thanks to PI Tchaikovsky, the musical art of Russia reached unprecedented heights. At the same time, the works created by the composer are accessible and understandable to listeners around the globe.

P. Tchaikovsky can be considered one of the founders of the Russian symphony. Before Peter Ilyich only symphonies of NA Rimsky-Korsakov and AG Rubinshtein were known. How many symphonies did Tchaikovsky write? In the arsenal of the composer there are seven similar works. Let us consider them in more detail.

Symphony No. 1 "Winter Dreams"

This symphony was created by PI Tchaikovsky after graduating from the Conservatoire in St. Petersburg (1866). Yesterday's graduate did not expect that many years later admirers of his work would exclaim: "How many symphonies did Tchaikovsky write!" And what!"

In "Winter Dreams" the author embodied his impressions of the contemplation of the nature of his native land. The symphony consists of four parts: "Dreams of a winter road", "A gloomy edge, a foggy edge", "Scherzo" and "Final". The first and second parts reflect thoughts, memories of a person traveling in winter. The traveler is busy with his experiences, but at the same time admires the beauty of the winter landscape.

The third part of the piece sounds like a lyric waltz. The listeners have associations with the home cosiness, the warmth of the home, as if someone from home or guests plays music. Creating the fourth part of the symphony, PI Tchaikovsky used folk melodies, therefore in the minds of the listener there are pictures related to the life and life of the peasants.

Symphony No. 2

The work was written after the composer's trip to Ukraine, so the symphonies clearly trace the motives of Ukrainian folk songs. Work on the symphony was completed by the author in 1872, but she saw the light only in 1879.

The second symphony also consists of four parts. In the first part, the melody of the song "Down Mother, On the Volga" in the Ukrainian interpretation is heard. The second part includes march tunes. PI Tchaikovsky also tried to convey the sound of folk instruments (horns, pipes, balalaika and domra).

The third and fourth parts of the symphony - a combination of fantastic, musical and humorous beginnings and all the same melodies of Ukraine, including buffoon jokes and giggles.

The second symphony of PI Tchaikovsky is called a musical poem that narrates about the life of the Ukrainian people.

Symphony No. 3

Unlike other symphonic works of the composer, the third symphony (1875) is written in major and consists of five parts. Software as such is absent, musical images, from mournful and tragic, to fantastic and light change each other. Dance motifs (waltz, polonaise) can be traced. The work ends with a majestic apotheosis.

Symphony No. 4

The fourth symphony (1877) was created under the influence of tragic events that occurred both in the personal life of the composer and in the Russian Empire. P. Tchaikovsky was dissatisfied with his marriage, so he fled from a hated wife to Petersburg. And although everything was gradually improving, the first time was not easy. Deeply wounded Peter Ilyich events of the Russo-Turkish war, the death of compatriots on the battlefield. If the composer "broke down," the answer to the question of how many symphonies Tchaikovsky wrote today would sound different.

PI Tchaikovsky's experiences were embodied in his work. Symphony No. 4 shows the inner world of a person struggling with the unfavorable circumstances of his life. Rock is implacable, but attempts to change destiny do not stop. It seems that the light is about to break out, but ... the fate does not slumber ... At the same time, the symphony finale is quite optimistic. Good all the same triumphs over evil.

The Manfred Symphony

The work was written in 1885 on the basis of the plot of the eponymous poem by J. Gordon Byron. When trying to determine how many symphonies Tchaikovsky wrote, this symphony is sometimes forgotten. Probably, this is due to the fact that the work is programmed and is not included in the list of symphony numbers of the composer. The main character - the criminal Manfred - suffers from a love for Astraute, which he himself has lost. Anguish and despair lead to the fact that he conspires with the dark forces, but they do not help the sufferer forget his beloved.

The state of Manfred is reflected in the first part. The contrast images are juxtaposed: a joyful, bright past and full of anguish and despair present. In the second part, the main character is the Alpine fairy. It comes from a waterfall. The sounding melody resembles a splash of water. The themes range from bright, playful (image of a fairy) to sad and tragic (heavy memories of Manfred).

In the third part, the "Pastoral" is told about the inhabitants of the mountainous country. The main occupation of these people is cattle breeding. Shepherds and cowherd boys, although not rich, are quite satisfied with their simple village life. They hardly know about how many symphonies Tchaikovsky has, because they listen to music composed by their talented fellow villagers. The melody in this part resembles a shepherd's giggles.

In the final, the evoked spirit of Astrata forgives the murderer. The final theme is Bacchanalia, the Sabbat of the Dark Forces. At the end of the symphony, an enlightened chorale sounds as a symbol of forgiveness and "Dies irae" (Day of Wrath) - a reminder of a terrible court.

In its structure, Manfred quite corresponds to the symphony. Therefore, thinking about how many symphonies Tchaikovsky wrote, one should take into account this work as well.

Symphony No. 5

In the fifth symphony (1888) the existential reflections of the composer are reflected. Symphony No. 5 was created under the influence of the books of Leo Tolstoy. After reading the autobiography of Leo Nikolayevich's Confession and the religious and philosophical treatise "What is my faith?" The composer concluded that the thoughts, feelings and actions of people are based on the fear of death.

Like the fourth, Symphony No. 5 includes the theme of fate, but in a different artistic interpretation. The first part begins with a funeral march, then the march melody becomes more determined. Gradually, the tragic images are replaced by worried and lyrical ones.

Lyrism is characteristic of the second and third parts of the symphony, and in the finale the theme of rock sounds again. At the same time it remains a mystery who won: man or destiny?

Symphony No. 6 "Pathetic"

This symphony was written in the year of the death of the composer - 1893. Through music, Peter Ilyich bids farewell to life. The first part begins unconventionally. Instead of the rate of allegro, adagio is used. In this part, the motives of the excitement of fuss, confusion are heard. Also there are themes of love and all the same inexorable fate.

In the second part, an unusual five-valley waltz sounds (the standard size of a waltz is three-quarters). The evil-destiny is contrasted with the beauty and charm of a young life. The melody is coquettish, graceful and graceful, but in the end still there are sad intonations.

When you listen to the third part, you feel the breath of life again. About this part, discussions are still held: from the interpretation of music as an image of evil forces to the elevation of man over himself.

The fourth part of the sixth symphony is a monologue-requiem. Gradually the narrator loses his strength and leaves this world. Everything that pleased the earthly life, worried, upset, consoled, dissolved into non-existence.

That's how many symphonies Tchaikovsky wrote. But the main merit of the composer is not in the number of works, but in their genius.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is rightfully considered one of the greatest composers in the world.