Music

Pathétique

Pacific Symphony explores Tchaikovsky’s final symphony

by Olga Belogolova   |   Jan 6, 2010

Pathétique

 

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Tchaikovsky is further explored by Pacific Symphony on January 10, 2010, when Music Director Carl St.Clair and his orchestra will take a look at his final symphony the passionate, emotional “Pathétique,” for which he conducted a premiere in St. Petersburg on Oct. 28, 1893, nine days before his death.

The next performance of the piece was 20 days later at a memorial concert, led by Eduard Nápravník and it included minor corrections Tchaikovsky had made after its premiere. This final version is the form in which it is known today and which will be performed and analyzed by St. Clair and his orchestra as they investigate why this work retains its popular appeal to this day.

The Russian title of the symphony, pronounced “Pateticheskaya” bears a different meaning than the English translation of “pathetic.” Rather than “arousing pity,” the name actually means something more closely to “passionate” or “emotional.”

The complex work has been explored by many over the years and has even found a place in popular culture, with extracts featured in films such as Now, Voyager, the 1997 version of Anna Karenina (1997), Minority Report, Soylent Green , The Aviator and many others.

For music director Carl St.Clair, “Pathétique” is an especially important work, as it was the first symphony that he performed with Pacific Symphony musicians in January 1990, almost 20 years ago.

Sun., January 10, 2010; 3:00pm
R&H Segerstrom Concert Hall
Price: $25 – $95