Tchaikovsky in America: The Composer's Visit in 1891

By Elkhonon Yoffe

The opening of Carnegie Hall in May 1891 was celebrated with a spectacular gala music festival, central to which was the participation of one of the most eminent living composers: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky conducting several of his own compositions. In response to the invitation to play at this event, Tchaikovsky traveled thousands of miles from his home near Moscow and became the first great European composer to visit America. A charming account of Tchaikovsky's only visit to America, this book is a revealing psychological portrait of Tchaikovsky in his last three years. It is also a rich picture of the cultural life of New York at the turn of the century, recounting Tchaikovsky's encounters with prominent Americans, among them Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist and philanthropist, and Walter Damrosch, the well known American conductor. Much of the book is written in Tchaikovsky's own words, using the diary that he kept during his 25 days in America and on the sea voyages to and from the country. Making use of contemporary newspaper accounts, letters to and from Tchaikovsky, and other materials, Yoffe offers fresh insight into the roots of Tchaikovsky's enormous popularity in America.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195041178
• ISBN13: 9780195041170
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Intriguing bio

This chronicles Tchaikovsky's 1891 visit to America through a collection of letters, diary entries, news stories and editorial comments. The composer dines with Andrew Carnegie, opines on America (favorably) and reveals his inner life. The book ends by providing context for his Sixth Symphony (Pathetique)