Tchaikovsky and Grieg

Tchaikovsky

Dumka, Op. 59

My first ever listening of this piece was a Horowitz recording. I was amazed at how Tchaikovsky’s use of minor harmonies, the low register, and melodic line provoked a feeling of coldness. The piece has a deep longing, almost that of a Russian who is away from home, and is reminiscing about his motherland. Although the piece gradually transforms into a celebratory fanfare, the main theme eventually returns in the cadenza reminding the listener of a winter back in soviet Russia.

Seasons, Op. 37b

A piece with more warmth, the Seasons are a gorgeous set of miniatures that although don’t quite acquire the depth of Dumka, have their own sweet quality. Each piece is clearly defined by a simple melody and an accompaniment usually made up of chords, or a melodic response. Add this to your ‘dinner by moonlight’ collection.

Grieg

Grieg’s style of composition always seems to tell a story, in the vein of character pieces. His out put of Lyric pieces, Op. 54 is a testament to his skill of communicating a message in the shortest span of time. All in all, the man wrote 66 of these small wonders. There are times where you can hear the use of folk melodies in his pieces with his use of the drone, and other times, it is difficult to pick out it was a composition written by Grieg.

Sonata in E minor, Op. 7

A gorgeous Sonata opens with a very stately movement. Almost Russian sounding in its writing. The second movement with its thinner texture brings back the same kind of character heard in some of the Lyric pieces. The third movement is heavy minuet, good dance music for a heavyset midget.