Tchaikovsky
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TH 149

Moment Lyrique

Лирический момент

A♭ major (1892).

• Composed October 1892.
• Scored for Piano solo (2 hands).
• Sketches for this piece were found after Tchaikovsky's death, and these were completed by Sergei Taneev and published under the title Impromptu (Momento lirico). However, Tchaikovsky's completed score was discovered in the 1960s.
• Average duration: 3m 25s.

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, Sergei Taneev 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. Sergei Taneev edited the piece from the sketches and prepared it for publication. On 15/27 September 1894, Sergei Taneev wrote to Modest. Tchaikovsky: "The Impromptu was given to Petr Ivanovich shortly after you left" [2]. On 17/28 September, Petr Jurgenson informed Modest Tchaikovsky that the Impromptu was being engraved [3]. During late September/early October, Sergei Taneev 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

References:

1. See letters 4713 and 4790a to Mojmir Urbanek, 22 June/4 July and 26 October/7 November 1892 [back]
2. Letter from Sergei Taneev to Modest Tchaikovsky, 15/27 September 1894 — Klin House-Museum Archive [back]
3. See letter from Petr Jurgenson to Modest Tchaikovsky, 17/29 September 1894 [back]
4. See letters from Petr Jurgenson to Modest Tchaikovsky, 28 September/10 October, 3/15 and 6/18 October 1894 — Klin House-Museum Archive [back]