Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony, Op. 58

Manfred holds a special place in Tchaikovsky’s oeuvre, as it is unique: a symphony composed on an extremely large scale around a wide-ranging literary programme. Manfred is the embodiment of several facets of Tchaikovsky’s individuality: it presents both Russian and European features, Tchaikovsky’s own talents as a psychologist and a shrewd judge of character, his abilities as a writer for the theatre, and his mastery in creating orchestral colours. The score itself dazzles with its variety of images and sounds—from airy to grandiose and powerful, from pastoral and peaceful to dense and dark. The dramatic concept of the work as a whole, its psychological portrayal of the protagonists, and the vivid expression in their development all come to reveal the characteristic style of Tchaikovsky’s late works. What is more, Manfred remains fascinating thanks to the fact that it emerged at the crossroads of various literary, philosophical and musical trends during the 19th century. The album was recorded on the eve of the 185th anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s birth.