Composition history Swan Lake

1 composition history

1.1 origins of swan lake composition
1.2 tchaikovsky s influences
1.3 composition process

composition history

design f. gaanen décor of act ii of swan lake, moscow, 1877


origins of swan lake composition

the origins of ballet swan lake rather obscured, , since there few records concerning first production of work have survived, there can speculation author of original libretto was. authoritative theory appears written vladimir petrovich begichev, director of moscow imperial theatres during time ballet produced, , possibly vasily geltser, danseur of moscow imperial bolshoi theatre. however, geltser in probability merely first person copy scenario publication, surviving copy bears name. since first published libretto of ballet , actual music composed tchaikovsky not correspond in many places, may infer first actual published libretto possibly crafted newspaper writer had viewed initial rehearsals, new productions of operas , ballets reported in newspapers of imperial russia, along respective scenarios.

according 2 of tchaikovsky s relatives—his nephew yuri lvovich davydov , niece anna meck-davydova—the composer had earlier created little ballet called lake of swans @ home in 1871. ballet included famous leitmotif known swan s theme or song of swans. begichev commissioned score of swan lake tchaikovsky in may 1875 rather modest fee of 800 rubles, , begichev began choose artists participate in creation of ballet. choreographer assigned production czech julius reisinger (1827–1892), had been engaged balletmaster ballet of moscow imperial bolshoi theatre (today known bolshoi ballet) since 1873. not known sort of collaborative processes involved between tchaikovsky , reisinger. seems tchaikovsky worked basic outline reisinger of requirements each dance. tchaikovsky had form of instruction in composing swan lake, had know sort of dances required. unlike instructions tchaikovsky received scores of sleeping beauty , nutcracker, no such written instruction known have survived. when reisinger began choreographing after score completed, demanded changes tchaikovsky. whether demanding addition or removal of dance, reisinger made clear large part in creation of piece. although 2 artists required collaborate, each seemed prefer working independently of other possible.

tchaikovsky s influences

from around time of turn of 19th century until beginning of 1890s, scores ballets written composers known specialists, highly skilled @ scoring light, decorative, melodious, , rhythmically clear music @ time in vogue ballet. tchaikovsky studied music of specialists such italian cesare pugni , austrian ludwig minkus, before setting work on swan lake. tchaikovsky had rather negative opinion of specialist ballet music until studied in detail, being impressed limitless variety of infectious melodies scores contained. tchaikovsky admired ballet music of such composers léo delibes, adolphe adam, , later, riccardo drigo. later write protégé, composer sergei taneyev, listened delibes ballet sylvia ...what charm, elegance, wealth of melody, rhythm, , harmony. ashamed, if had known of music then, not have written swan lake. tchaikovsky admired adam s 1844 score giselle, used leitmotif technique: associating themes characters or moods, technique use in swan lake, , later, sleeping beauty.

tchaikovsky drew on previous compositions swan lake score. made use of material voyevoda, opera had abandoned in 1868. grand adage (a.k.a. love duet) second scene of swan lake fashioned aria opera, valse des fiancées third scene. number included theme voyevoda entr acte of fourth scene. april 1876 score complete, , rehearsals began. reisinger began setting numbers aside dubbed undanceable. reisinger began choreographing dances other composers music, tchaikovsky protested , pieces reinstated.

composition process

tchaikovsky s excitement swan lake evident speed composed: commissioned in spring of 1875, piece created within 1 full year. letters sergei taneyev august 1875 indicate, however, not excitement compelled him create wish finish possible, allow him start on opera. respectively, created scores of first 3 numbers of ballet, orchestration in fall , winter, , still struggling instrumentation in spring. april 1876, work complete. tchaikovsky s mention of draft suggests presence of sort of abstract no such draft has ever been seen. tchaikovsky wrote various letters friends expressing longstanding desire work type of music, , excitement concerning current stimulating, albeit laborious task.