The Manfred Problem
Donald Macleod re-evaluates Tchaikovsky's controversial Manfred Symphony of 1885, presenting a rare complete performance by the Russian National Orchestra under Mikhail Pletnev.
Donald Macleod ends his week exploring Tchaikovsky's 'lost decade' with the black sheep of his orchestral oeuvre - a symphony that's not really a symphony; a work that the great conductor Leonard Bernstein called 'junk' and refused to perform; and yet one that contains some of the most beautiful and lyrical moments in his entire output.
At first, the composer adored his programmatic "Manfred Symphony" of 1885. Inspired by Lord Byron's poem, the process of writing the piece took him several anguished months - and yet, just a few months after he'd basked in satisfaction at its premiere, Tchaikovsky was to reject it forever. "Abominable", he said. "I loathe it deeply".
Since then, the work's been a pariah - included almost apologetically on box sets of complete Tchaikovsky symphonies. Time for a re-evaluation; Donald Macleod presents a rare complete performance by the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Mikhail Pletnev.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
-
![]()
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Suite no.4: "Mozartiana" (excerpt), Op.61 (1887)
Performer: Detroit Symphony Orchestra / Neeme J盲rvi
- CHANDOS CHAN9676.
-
![]()
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
"Manfred" Symphony in Four Scenes after Byron's Dramatic Poem (1885)
Performer: Russian National Orchestra / Mikhail Pletnev
- DEUTCHE GRAMMOPHON 4398912.
Broadcasts
- Fri 15 Oct 2010 12:00成人快手 Radio 3
- Fri 15 Oct 2010 22:00成人快手 Radio 3
- Fri 6 May 2011 12:00成人快手 Radio 3
- Fri 6 May 2011 18:30成人快手 Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.