Tchaikovsky
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Moment lyrique
(Лирический момент)
(1892).
| Catalogue References | TH 149 ; ČW 186 (as "Momento lirico / Moment lyrique") |
|---|---|
| Date | October 1892 |
| Key | A♭ major |
| Tempo/Section Listing | Andantino (A♭ major, 58 bars) |
| Instrumentation | Piano (solo) |
| Autograph Location | Unknown private collection (auctioned at Marburg in 1960) |
| First Publication | Prague: F. Urbánek, 1893 (original version); Moscow: P. Jurgenson, 1894 (completion by Sergey Taneyev). |
| Average Duration | 3 minutes |
| Note | Sketches for this piece were found after Tchaikovsky's death, and these were completed by Sergey Taneyev and published under the title Impromptu (Momento lirico). However, Tchaikovsky's completed score was discovered in the 1960s |
| External Links | IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library
 (downloadable score) |
History
Written at the request of the Czech music publisher Mojmir Urbánek [1]. Completed on 26 October/7 November 1892 (according to the date on the manuscript).
After Tchaikovsky's death, Sergey Taneyev discovered the sketches for the piece, which he completed and prepared for publication, unaware that the composition had already appeared in print.
From: The Tchaikovsky Handbook, vol. 1 (2002), p.
335
Copyright © 2002 Alexander Poznansky and Brett Langston
* * *
After Tchaikovsky's death. Sergey Taneyev edited the piece from the sketches and prepared it for publication. On 15/27 September 1894, Sergey Taneyev wrote to Modest Tchaikovsky: "The Impromptu was given to Pyotr Ivanovich shortly after you left" [2]. On 17/28 September, Pyotr Jurgenson informed Modest Tchaikovsky that the Impromptu was being engraved [3]. During late September/early October, Sergey Taneyev checked the proofs, and in late October/early November the piece was printed [4]. The Impromptu was put on sale at the same time as the Piano Concerto No. 3.
From: Музыкальное наследие Чайковского (1958),
pp. 416–417
English text copyright © 2006 Brett Langston
Notes:
- See letters 4713 and 4790a to Mojmir Urbanek, 22 June/4 July and 26 October/7 November 1892 [back]
- Letter from Sergey Taneyev to Modest Tchaikovsky, 15/27 September 1894 — Klin House-Museum Archive [back]
- See letter from Pyotr Jurgenson to Modest Tchaikovsky, 17/29 September 1894 [back]
- See letters from Pyotr Jurgenson to Modest Tchaikovsky, 28 September/10 October, 3/15 and 6/18 October 1894 — Klin House-Museum Archive [back]