Tchaikovsky: Hamlet, Op. 67 (with Score)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:
Hamlet, fantasy-overture for orchestra in F minor, Op. 67, TH 53, ČW 50 (with Score)
Composed: 1888
Conductor: Mikhail Pletnev
Orchestra: Russian National Orchestra
There has been some confusion concerning the identity of this Hamlet. Tchaikovsky was commissioned to compose incidental music for a St. Petersburg staging of Shakespeare's Hamlet, but failed to meet the deadline. Instead, he produced this tone poem in 1888, assigning the opus number 67. Three years later, he did compose music for the play, designating that effort Op. 67a. Some catalogs, however, have listed the fantasy overture as Op. 67a and the incidental music as Op. 67b, and both, of course, are incorrect.
This colorful tone poem differs from most of Tchaikovsky's others in that rather than portraying events, it depicts the character of Hamlet. There is a strong similarity between the opening theme here and the one that launches the composer's Manfred Symphony (1885). Some have also pointed out a structural similarity between Hamlet and Strauss' Don Juan (1889).
This Tchaikovsky work is powerfully dramatic and brilliantly scored, but Shakespeare's Danish Prince does not quite inspire the composer the way his teenage lovers Romeo and Juliet had. Still, the themes here are attractive, especially the mellow, somewhat lonely melody on oboe, and the work is generally well crafted. In the end, this is a solid but minor composition from Tchaikovsky's pen. It lasts about 17 to 18 minutes in a typical performance. (www.allmusic.com/composition/...)

[@timofeygolev]

7:57 autumn leaves

[@ikeyial]

A Christmas Story taught me about classically music as a kid.

[@simonkawasaki4229]

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! Finally someone uploads the score to this MASTERPIECE!!!

[@UnlimitedHangout]

Masterpiece...THIS???!!

[@simonkawasaki4229]

@@UnlimitedHangout I suppose I know what you mean… the structure of this piece is indeed rambling. However, I consider the orchestration and melodic writing to be very signature Tchaikovsky.

[@lostotaku6293]

Cara, que música é essa?? Da vontade de chorar só de ouvir essa obra de arte.

[@mrtchaikovsky]

I disagree that "what makes 'Hamlet' unique from other works of Tchaikovsky is the lack of a structural development". The outer movements of the Manfred symphony and "The Voyevoda" Op.78 would qualify as well.
(I don't want to be nitpicky, I just think someone might find this interesting.)

[@jestemqiqi7647]

I agree. And incidentally, all three of those pieces are very tonally ambiguous and start without a key signature.

[@OuwenH101]

13:33

[@pnl4660]

The best interpretation of the creschendo from 3:57
Intense, mystical, frightening...

[@StefanGraz]

14:52 best part

[@Masilya111]

8:46 anyone knows what this (beautiful) leitmotiv is supposed to symbolize?

[@simonkawasaki4229]

Perhaps something to do with the love between Hamlet and Ophelia.

[@Masilya111]

@@simonkawasaki4229 Got it, thanks for the quick reply. Not too familiar with Hamlet.

[@Skidoo22]

It's a stunning melody, he was full of them

[@StefanGraz]

It’s the love theme of Hamlet and Ophelia

[@peterlivemusic4367]

No

[@GJYYNGII]

No what?

[@peterlivemusic4367]

@@GJYYNGII idk I notice recently about this comment

[@alexmanzano1251]

Oh fudge only I didn't say fudge I said the word the big one the queen mother of dirty words the f dash dash dash word

[@JMFabiano]

With as much dignity as he could muster, the old man gathered the sad remains of his major award...

[@cebolla4680]

12:30