Tchaikovsky Fourth Critique

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Tchaikovsky’s Fourth, arguably one his best musical compositions, was a symphony concert full of heart felt emotion. September 24, 2017, I attended Tchaikovsky’s Fourth symphony at the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita Kansas. The symphony and venue of this concert was unique to experience. I expected most symphony concerts to be a casual, laid back, concert in which you merely just listened to the music at hand. I looked online at the concert and realized that these venues are very gaudy and required that you dress appropriately for them. As I arrived at the concert hall, I was surrounded by nicely dressed men and beautifully dressed women—most of them were elderly couples. Hundreds and hundreds of us viewers took our seat in the palace of …show more content…

My favorite piece from the symphony actually did not come from Tchaikovsky, but Scott Oakes, a principal bassoonist from the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Scott, who was also accompanied by the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, best performance was Rondo. Rondo is a perky dance that is full of humor and uplifting vibes. This piece that was played in the home key of F major, and put a literal sense of music to my ears. Scott sat front and center of the stage and had me captured by the sight and sounds of his solo parts. As the music began to climax to the middle of the song, Scott, changed his tempo and sounds. He progressed into a Meno mosso-Pesante tempo, which is are just fancy and musically correct terms for slowing down to a lesser speed. The tempo was set in a mostly B-flat Major. There the Orchestra and Scott played until they reached their finale. Both Scott and the Orchestra progressed back into a faster tempo and ended the song in the rondo tune. Thus, concluded my favorite piece, …show more content…

I love the feelings of emotion behind the writing of this symphony. Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony was actually dedicated to his lover, Nadejhda Filaretovna von Meck. She was considered to be his financial and emotional backbone. His love ran deep for her, and her love ran deep for him. Tchaikovsky occasionally called this peice “our symphony” or the “Fate” symphony when he wrote letters to her. This piece is played in the key F minor. My favorite part was when the orchestra had three separate solo parts, all using different instruments every time. The solos began with the strings. They all performed in pizzicato (plucking), and I found it moving because it reminded me of when I use to play Cello. The next group of instruments were the woodwinds. The woodwinds are always lively to hear because of their quick and elegant sounds. I always get a feeling of running or excitement when I hear them! A lastly there were the Brass instruments. Brass instruments just seem to complement any type of musical genre whether it be country, classical, rock, or Jazz. It always seems to serve a dynamic purpose, and it did in Tchaikovsky’s fourth. After every instrument was given its moment of fame, they all synchronized back together to one stellar ending. It was quick. It was loud. It was meaningful. It was

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