by Ben Hogwood

This day marks the anniversary of one of Tchaikovsky‘s biggest orchestral works, which over the last few decades has gained a foothold in the concert hall and the studio.

Tchaikovsky’s Manfed Symphony was written in between his Fourth and Fifth symphonies, and, at the suggestion of the composer Balakirev, was based on the poem of the same name by Lord Byron.

It is actually longer than any of Tchaikovsky’s numbered symphonies, and shows the influence of Berlioz – who, ironically, was given the opportunity to write Manfred but declined due to old age. Tchaikovsky too declined initially, but Balakirev, who had worked closely with him on the final revision to Romeo and Juliet, persuaded him otherwise.

Ultimately Tchaikovsky responded with a powerful work, whose impact on the listener is considerable. The composer summed it up as follows: “The symphony has turned out to be huge, serious, difficult, absorbing all my time, sometimes to utter exhaustion; but an inner voice tells me that my labour is not in vain and that this work will perhaps be the best of my symphonic works.”

Time has proved him right – and while the work, dedicated to Balakirev, was not universally praised on its premiere in Moscow, it has stood the test of time. Here it is in a 1986 performance with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tchaikovsky specialist Mariss Janssons:

Published post no.2,482 – Sunday 23 March 2025