Profound Tchaikosvky quote -

[opus10no2]

Watching a BBC show about Tchaikovsky(very good btw) I heard this quote, and it stuck with me -

I have reached a very mature age without resting upon anythingpositive, without having calmed my restless spirit by either religion or philosophy. Undoubtedly I should have gone mad but for music. Music is indeed the most beautiful of all Heaven’s gifts to humanity wandering in the darkness. Alone it calms, enlightens our souls. It is not the straw to which the drowning man clings; but a true friend, refuge and comforter, for whose sake life is worth living. Perhaps there will be no music in Heaven. Well, let us give our mortal life to it as long as it lasts.

[pianistimo]

no music in heaven?  who said that?

[mad_max2024]

no music in heaven?  who said that?

Tchaikovsky
and he said perhaps...

[opus10no2]

no music in heaven?  who said that?

get out, now.

[thalbergmad]

That was a good 2 part programme.

Can't believe there was nudity.

Much more believabe than Richard Chamberlin and Glenda Jackson.

Thal

[opus10no2]

It was there to prove his unwavering gayness, shunning and being repelled by boobies is quite a strong sign.

As was the bumsex scene, I suppose.

[ahinton]

Who is "Tchaikosvky" anyway?

Best,

Alis(z)tair

[le_poete_mourant]

I like this Tchaikovsky quote better:

"I played over the music of that scoundrel Brahms. What a giftless bastard! It annoys me that this self-inflated mediocrity is hailed as a genius. Why, in comparison, Raff is a giant, not to speak of Rubinstein, who is after all a live and important human being, while Brahms is chaotic and absolutely empty dried-up stuff."

[pianistimo]

and yet...tchaikovsky and brahms have the closest resemblance to each other.  hmmm.  wide chords with many dissonances.  i think tchaikovsky wanted to make sure, by saying this, people didn't accuse him of looking at brahms too much.

also, people accuse brahms of using themes repeatedly here and there.  well, tchaikovsky's themes in the 'three cards (in queen of spades), lensky's aria in onegin, and the finale of the pathetique symphony are all quite similar.

i  kind of liked the program muti?  put together a long time ago where the brahms first piano concerto was played, then tchaikovsky's pathetique, and then some malher.  they are all brothers.

[thalbergmad]

and yet...tchaikovsky and brahms have the closest resemblance to each other. 

Are you sure about that.

Thal

[pianistimo]

quite positive.  they are first of all - violinists. they think of the melody as always played by a violin.  and, they have quite similar moods when it comes to heartfelt subduing of the orchestra so that the shining moment will stand through.  and, their use of
'acerbic' dissonances to produce effects.  hard for me to put into words - but i get the same response from the german requiem of brahms as i do the first piano concerto of tchaikovsky. they are heartfelt and so 'pure.'  also, they transport the listener by way of preparation.  they are 'thinking composers' vs the typical 'romantic' let's get carried away for the sake of it.  tchaikovsky is slightly more 'free' in his use of orchestration - but brahms is freer with the piano.  dichotomy. 

brahms third symphony has places which seem to emulate tchaikovksy's penchant for running scales.  and everything ends quietly.  they were both kinda shy guys.  and, they were poetic in depth.  tchaikovsky's first symphony - 'winter dreams' - is truly descriptive - as some of brahms poetic songs.

quoting ian pace:

tchaikovsky moderated his views a little after meeting brahms on dec. 31, 1887 at the home of violinist adolf brodsky (during a european tour that tchaikovsky was taking) and after hearing a rehearsal of brahm's C minor trio op 101 ... said later 'despite all the purity and seriousness of his aspirations he made an eternal and valuable contribution to the treasure-trove of German music.'

he quotes alexander pozansky 'tchaikovsky through other's eyes' @1999 p 204

*'ascerbic dissonances in music of the greatest delicacy - that come out of harmonic left-field' -- this is another statement that i find quite similar in both brahms and tchaikovsky.