07 March 2011

Tchaikovsky & The Winged Messenger

copyright (c) 2009 Sharon Edmunds
Tchaikovsky & The Winged Messenger, Acrylic on Canvas, 18" x 14"


Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky wrote: "Undoubtedly I should have gone mad but for music. Music is indeed the most beautiful of all Heaven's gifts to humanity wandering in the darkness. Alone it calms, enlightens, and stills our souls. It is not the straw to which the drowning man clings; but a true friend, refuge and comforter, for whose sake life is worth living." *

I adore the music Tchaikovsky created. I paint to it. I dream with it. I cherish it. I get lost in his lyrical melodies and dramatic harmonies: the sublime moments of joy and the profound moments of heartbreaking longing and despair.

He was an innovative composer. His music pleased few. He was considered too modern for the West and too Western for Russia.

When Swan Lake was premiered it was not well received. He was attacked for wasting his talent by composing music for the ballet. He would go on to compose the music for The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. He would prove his critics wrong.

He was hated & loved, loved & hated, & loved again.

He would work.

He created 6 Symphonies, 7 for those who count Manfred; 10 Operas, including Eugene Onegin and Pique Dame; 3 Ballets; Orchestral Suites; Works for Orchestra, including Serenade in C for String Orchestra, The 1812 Overture, and The Tempest; Solo & Chamber Music, including The Seasons and Souvenir d'un Lieu Cher; and Concerti & Concert Pieces, including Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, and Violin Concerto in D major.

He created a world full of beautiful gifts.

One of my favorite pieces: Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake, Act 1, Waltz.



(Uploaded by Marlestor,
6:55, Feb. 19, 2010)

*The Tchaikovsky quote above: from a letter to Nadezhda von Meck on 23 Nov/5 Dec 1877. "The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky" by Rosa Newmarch (c) 1905 reprinted 2004. The quote info was found at http://www.tchaikovsky-research.net/ a fantastic place for all things Tchaikovsky.

5 comments:

  1. a wonderful post,really enjoyed it.
    Hugs, Amy

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  2. Interesting post about T. I'm not a huge fan--think I get tired of hearing the Nutcracker at Christmas. But I love your portrait of him with the swan!

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  3. Amy, thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you're recovering from the latest snow storm.

    Stephanie, I'm laughing! I do love Tchaikovsky, but even I will admit that the Nutcracker constantly throughout December can be too much of a good thing. Glad you liked the portrait.

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  4. Hi Sharon, The portrait is beautiful and telling. I really enjoyed your music/art posts. Best wishes with your new blog!

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  5. Loriann, Glad you enjoyed the posts. Thank you for your kind words.

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