A FAMOUS COMPOSER DEAD; TSCHAIKOWSKY'S MUSICAL CAREER.
The New York Times obituary of Tchaikovsky's
death on November 6, 1893, the date of his passing. Plans were in
motion for a revisit to the States. Damrosch received the packet
containing the Pathetique after the composers death and the symphony
received its American premier early in 1894. You will note that his
death is attributed to his drinking of tainted water at a local
restaraunt.
TSCHAIKOWSKY'S SWAN SONG; PRODUCTION OF THE MASTER
On March 18, 1894, four months after the composer's death the
Pathetique symphony was premiered in America with Walter Damrosch
conducting the New York Symphony orchestra in what appears to be a
glowing performance, even then unforgettable...Walter Damrosch had been
instrumental in getting Tchaikovsky to take part in the opening of
Carnegie Hall only three years earlier. Tchaikovsky wanted Damrosch to
be the first to perform his last symphony in America and managed to have
the score and parts sent to him before his passing.
"PIQUE DAME" FOR THE FIRST TIME
Mahler's last conducting stint was at New York's Metropolitan Opera
on March 10, 1910...it was Tchaikovsky's Pique Dame. The first time an
opera of this composer was performed in the states according to the
review.... the review is more than apt in describing the drama and
scenario as it enfolds...i think it is a fair and honest appraisal of
the operas pros and cons. Tho not a deep admirer of Tchaikovsky's art,
Mahler nevertheless championed Tchaikovsky's work. Mahler was the first
to introduce Tchaikovsky's operas to Germany.
Al Gasparo