Keeping Score | Piotr Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 (FULL DOCUMENTARY AND CONCERT)

The Making of a Performance, is an engrossing documentary that demystifies how a performance of a great piece of classical music is created. It is a viewer’s “behind-the-scenes” pass to witness firsthand how a performance unfolds and the preparation it takes to play this music. Along the way, MTT explores the symphony’s four movements, providing commentary on the powerful emotions embodied in the music and how it speaks to audiences today. MTT also introduces many of the personable members of the orchestra.
Bonus Features:
Full-length concert performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 by the San Francisco Symphony originally filmed in high-definition 16:9 widescreen and 5.1 surround sound.
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[@renzo6490]

The composer. The notation. The designers of instruments. The makers of instruments. The players. The conductor. The Hall. The effort. The dedication. The cooperation. The Respect. Humanity at its finest.

[@cheri238]

❤

[@InCAdocumentaries]

We're so proud to have worked with MTT and the San Francisco Symphony to create this series, between 2002 and 2011. I hope it's available to everyone, worldwide, for as long as possible. David Kennard, InCA Productions, San Francisco.

[@chasingvenusfilmarts]

This series is a body of work to be proud of. As a composer and filmmaker I continue to learn so very much from multiple aspects of its production. Bravo!

[@איילגזונדהייט]

amazing work David! well done. the video editing is so brilliant. thanks for the wonderful experience.

[@jandrewscali]

I have watched this so many times I can't keep "keep score"any longer! Love MTT and SFSO. Thank you for this wonderful series.

[@Jasper_the_Cat]

Best part was the piccolo player's segment! She rocked it and I loved the orchestra's sense of humor and fun!

[@michaelschonauer7238]

... and it isn't just the difficult solo in the third movement that she nails, it's a series of difficult 32nd notes toward the end of the fourth movement. She is brilliant!

[@donlynch8285]

This symphony makes me feel like I'm in an old cathedral looking up at the ceiling, and everything is spinning and I'm getting dizzy and it feels surreal like in a fever dream....

[@bullshitman155]

...and then I wake up and remember that work starts in an hour and a half

[@erpollock]

MTT is brilliant at making us understand what the music is symbolizing. Especially the second movement, he associates with Tchaikovsky's fear of being an outcast and his terrible secret known. You feel MTT entirely understands Tchaikovsky's world.

[@anachreon01]

I first fell in love with this Symphony 60 years ago at the age of 14. What a joy to hear so marvelous a performance!!

[@thomasforsythe7256]

I agree. I was 8 60 years ago when my Dad brought home the Philidelphia Orchestras

[@pedritoseptiembre]

Thanks to the creators of this magnificent documentary! I couldn't imagine something would make me understand Tchaikovsky better than I thought I already did.

[@rygregory]

The piccolo player's little smile of satisfaction when she nailed the picc solo during the actual performance in the 3rd movement was adorable. I've had to play that passage before. It's a very nerve-racking 3 seconds.

[@nihiliuslenny1420]

That explains why there's a feeling mixed by fear and awedness towards an indescribable existance when I'm listening to it. Tchaikovsky knew everything.

[@finylvinyl66]

God speed, MTT! You have given and inspired so much with your performances and teaching. Throughout history it seems that too many great musical artists encounter serious medical issues and I am sorry that you are now one of them. I hope you will still be around for a good while but I'm sure you know you will always be remembered, if only for your outstanding Keeping Score series. Thank you for the music.

[@michaelowens5394]

Why am a crying at a piccolo?? I have been transported by those 21 notes for almost 50 years; to hear what's behind them was really moving.

[@jandrewscali]

Awesomely, brilliantly wonderful. To MTT, Maestro! Thank you for bringing us this music! And to the SF Symphony!

[@erpollock]

I understand what the principal oboist means about each time finding new elements in his melody in second movement. I find the same each time I sing a great classical aria. Each time is new to me. That is the genius of great music.

[@hashatz]

The entire series of Keeping Score is absolutely marvelous. However, my visceral in-the-gut reaction to this edition puts it in the number one position. This is orchestra life at its most intimate, cohesive moments. Animation, let-down-your hair expression of feelings, thoughts, and yes, well-deserved triumphs all, separately and collectively, make this episode thrilling and emotionally fulfilling. Hats off and kudos to MTT and the entire orchestra, and, of course, Thank You.

[@paulrevelli]

Man, I cannot believe the Mahler Eighth (and MTTs finale with the SFO) is cancelled next month. Heartbroken. MTT deserves only the grandest of send-offs as he steps down. I certainly hope we'll be able to give him his due once things settle down.

[@wolfgangresch1650]

Totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!😊😊😊

[@madjanetramerez2383]

Easily the most precise performance recording of Tchaikovskys 4th Symphony in my opinion. I wish other leading companies made programs like these. The French Horns were so sharp and powerful, even more so than Londons! It’s all so precise and powerful, with a moderate tempo comparatively.

[@ZackSansing]

I believe that is what Pam looked like in 2001 during the Mahler 6 and 1 recordings under MTT

[@johnbarry5036]

this helped me. I had listened to the 4th on my own for the first time, didn't "get it" and was about to abandon it. Thanks to YT's search algorithm, this vid popped up.

[@daviddemers9093]

Greetings and very best wishes to Maestro Michael! I saw you at Tanglewood some years ago conducting Shostakovich 5, and just before starting the last movement you shuffled your feet like a bull preparing to gore the bull fighter! The audience laughed as did the orchestra. you are a unique musician and I wish good health and milicenti to you dear Michael!

[@cowapocalypse75]

THANK U SO MUCH FOR THIS, SFS!! Y'ALL ROCK!! Amazing documentary, and the finale is freaking DEVASTATING!!!

[@kennyglesga]

Tchaikovsky's the man! Just a never-ending flow of melodies from this Russian master.

[@ИгорьКозлов-р8о9д]

Назвать Чайковского мужиком мог, по-моему, только хам.

[@alvarito45]

I wish many other important orchestras around the world had a program like this of SF symphony. It's admirable how classical music requires knowledge and wisdom!!

[@curtisgrindahl446]

What a treasure! I'd love to see this for EVERY classical piece. Michael Tilson Thomas is an awesome presenter. His depth of understanding and his wonderful personality make this a joy to watch. The performance itself is thrilling. Watching MTT on the podium you can appreciate how musicians would be moved playing with such a dynamic, engaging conductor. He will be missed.

[@emilyhutjes]

What a great documentary about how an Orchestra learns to understand what the story of a Composer was. 🌷🌷🌷 Thank you. (Holland)

[@e.hutchence-composer8203]

I was going to see this Symphony performed live for the first time on April 23rd but Coronavirus got the concert cancelled. I was devastated.

[@richardwilliams473]

MTT is such an exciting conductor to watch!!!

[@rememberme5279]

I am waiting for new score keeping 6th Symphony by Tchaikovsky that is the greatest masterpiece in classical music.

[@chrisridenhour]

I have a fond memory of blasting this piece in our conservatory dorm room while we painted the walls with fluorescent paint.

[@commontater8630]

Tchaikovsky would have loved it!

[@kuansong1644]

oh man. William Bennett who died on stage during the Strauss Concerto. Rest in Peace.

[@OrchestrationOnline]

Collapsed on stage while soloing on the Strauss Oboe Concerto, then died at the hospital shortly afterwards. I still miss his playing and his awesome sense of humour.

[@tj28308]

Wait, what??? I didn't know that.... oh there goes my heart... 😢😢😢😢 You will be missed, William.

[@nicolasbraun2642]

@@OrchestrationOnline "It takes 3 minutes to make a great reed: three minutes and one second to make a terrible one." W.B.

[@wolfgangresch1650]

So sad-the classical world lost a great gift with that nice and so talented soul 😢

[@wolfgangresch1650]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@limoreperetzwoloshin8860]

The second movement makes me begin to like this. To feel his sadness, his feelings of drowning in his fate

[@Cesar_SM]

I enjoyed this very much. I've always been a huge fan of Tchaikovsky, his music resonates with me because, like him, I'm a highly emotional person. This documentary opened my ears to details and explanations I wasn't aware of previously. Thanks for sharing this stuff!

[@michaelowens5394]

Ditto! I didn't realize how little rehearsal time they have, for instance, or the fact that the conductor marks up the music before the player see it.

[@Rhaifha]

Thank you so much for uploading this! I've love this performance *so* much. Glad we can all see it on youtube in its full glory now. :D (Performance starts around 55:50)

[@christopherdandeker6122]

wonderful

[@ethanyoung3674]

Absolutely wonderful.

[@homeofcreation]

Wow that piccolo solo....!! Kudo's to any composer that give this instrument, that is often despised, a solo. The piccolo solo in Britten's violin concerto is pretty challenging too. Especially because it's two piccolos in harmony and even with the Tuba.

[@mariekruczek181]

Bravo! Bravo! to Conductor Thomas and the SFO for the finest performances honoring the masterpieces so very eloquently!!!

[@MorganBennett]

My high school teacher showed this and it’s one of my favorite pieces. He’s such a geek

[@stampfle]

What an incredible series!!!!!!

[@paulinetaylor451]

Wow! Just wow! A beautiful offering in a world that needs more love and light like this. Heartfelt thanks.

[@johnginpbg]

I have been waiting for this video to be posted online since I saw the original airing on PBS in 2004. Brilliant playing and conducting and very interesting behind the scenes. For anyone who thinks that conductors just stand there and wave their arms, this is a must see. Thanks so much for posting. MTT rocks!

[@Quiltskate]

Loved this wonderful presentation behind the scenes. Very enlightening. Thank you

[@alanwitton5980]

A wonderful insight into a great symphony! Thank you for uploading it

[@avilavi12]

Superb. I love this specific performance for its unique melodic, soft, humble interpretation for so many years and I always wanted to watch this documentary and couldn't find it. Thank you so much for uploading it.

[@TheAskald]

42:15 using Tchaikovsky violin concerto to warm up for Tchaikovsky 4th, very fitting!

[@jacobblodgett338]

The level of commitment these musicians have to their craft is absolutely astonishing: be it MTT's personal scores and the care he embodies in meticulously handling the music, or William Bennett's (RIP) giant magnifying glass he uses when looking over his reeds. However, to actually ship in and prepare your own membranes for your timpani is next-level commitment right there!

[@abe_48]

What a wonderful presentation and content! Thank you! Anyone who worships Tchaikovsky's music should appreciate this post. I couldn't believe how Michael's interpretations of the phrases and passages were similar to my perceptions for the last 40 years; me purely based on emotional reactions with no formal musical training. Wasn't it Tchaikovsky's goal to reach out to average people and convey his pathos through his immortal musical creations? If so, his mission was more than accomplished according to Michael and millions of Tchaikovsky fans.

[@wolfgangresch1650]

Thank you and God bless you Maestro and blessings to the San Francisco Symphony orchestra-a blessing and honor to listen and learn-my parents started me on classical music when I was five years old, and my father said, almost verbatim, "classical music can bring up emotions and things that you want to say and just can't"- watched Mahler series 15 times and starting on Tchaikovsky and Shostokovich 😊😊😊😊😊🥰

[@Bokery1000]

What a wonderful video!! Thank you so much for taking us into the heart of the music and exposing this magic to us. It is so exciting to learn about the art of preparing and training for a concert, understanding the artists' parts, challenges, fears and excitment. This series is outstanding, and this specific program is among its best.

[@yanjun4848]

Great documentary， details in every aspect！

[@flylooper]

Oh, Maestro Thomas...you have done so much for "*my" symphony (I grew up in San Francisco.) and so much for the understanding of music. Every one of your Keeping Score programs is a jewel (Especially the Mahler!). We fans of the SFS will miss you beyond imagining.

[@christopherhill2786]

What a great performance! I'd love to hear the SFSO live one day!!!

[@davidsimons5944]

Tchaikovsky's 4th is my favourite of his 7 symphonies and to me the most intensely beautiful work he ever wrote. My personal second fave is the 3rd symphony which also has a lot of poignant passages of heart melting beauty.

[@BytomGirl]

Finally ! THANK YOU! I was waiting for it and finally had to buy DVD :) But I am so glad it's here, now I can post it in Tchaikovsky group and on couple of other groups for people to admire this performance and amazing documentary. RIP Bill Bennett..

[@wolfgangresch1650]

What a performance 🙌-Bravissimo!!!!

[@nicklyons1439]

I. Andante sostenuto ...... 55:45 II. Andantino in modo di canzona ...... 1:15:00 III. Scherzo: Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro ...... 1:26:02 IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco ...... 1:31:58

[@carlrasmussen3267]

Fabulous

[@jackwilson4892]

This was a terrific documentary!

[@minerscale]

Thanks so much for putting these up! I'm a young composer myself and these insights are really special.

[@69EBubu]

Wonderful series ! I Hope you keep it up, to help us get an insider's view of the great symphonic works of the repertoire !!

[@polenc7167]

The photgraph: Remember this is not a candid snapshot. He went to a photographer's studio for this photo. He was well known to be careless about his appearance as well as his suroundings in his home.

[@hshshs2007]

the first of the "fate trilogy" and one of the great symphonies ever written.

[@bcing75]

Hesham Safwat You betcha!

[@emilyhutjes]

I would very much like to see pianist Alexander Malofeev play with you, because you and Alexander will understand each other perfectly. 🌷🌷🌷 (Holland)

[@willyfernandez2013]

Piotr al fin es feliz

[@music.exam.pieces]

Wow

[@AceHardy]

🎶

[@johnny2303]

and now its all gone away until we face the fear and defeat it

[@baileybarnes857]

I'm watching this for band homework and idk whats happening pls help

[@waverly2468]

Recently I've been listening to the third symphony a lot. Check out the performance with Rico Saccani. It's an excellent piece but Tchaikovsky apparently went in a different direction with the fourth symphony.

[@esfirross6800]

Igor Markevich's unparallel in 3rd and all Tchaikovsky symphonies. I heard 4th conducted by Natan Rachlin-the greatest Russian conductor 1962 and 6 and Manfred 1970-heart breaking. Like Karayan too

[@papagen00]

Being both Russian and Jewish (and a Bernstein protege), there's no better American to conduct Mahler and Tchaikovsky today than MTT.

[@ryanthrasher2719]

At 7:46 does anyone know what the electronic pencil-like instrument the orchestra librarian is using to mark the parts?

[@mydogskips2]

It looks like a mechanical pencil to me.

[@paulsnowberg903]

It's an electric eraser.

[@ChipsAplentyBand]

​@@paulsnowberg903 Bravo! Specifically, it's an architect's electric eraser 'gun' whose barrel is loaded with a long eraser plug. When you're copying or editing music for hours on end ANY kind of time- and energy-saving help, such as an electric pencil sharpener or an electric eraser gun or an erasing shield template, can make the difference between finishing the job or having to quit earlier than desired due to fatigue. And hands, eyes, neck, shoulder, knees and of course the mind all get fatigued. A music copyist myself in my younger years, I once copied parts for an orchestra for 11 hours straight until my eyes would no longer focus(!), just barely finishing the task I'd been assigned on that particular occasion, but it got done. That kind of last-minute, full court press can happen if the score is finished quite close to the first rehearsal and then of course the parts have to be prepared as quickly as possible, and also duplicated for multiple players on the same part, before then. In the computer era the end result is (usually) neater and nicer-looking-engraving quality, really-but the time investment in getting the computer to draw everything the way you want it as efficiently as possible is oftentimes greater than going 'direct' with pencil and straightedge right to paper. Copying music by hand is faster because the computer-as-powerful-but-dullard-middleman step is not present and you don't have to negotiate an entire software interface's panoply of menus to accomplish each component step of the overall task or-worse-contrive a way of doing something for which there is not already a standardized tool or procedure. However, computers still produce the best-looking result if there is time to use them to complete the task at hand, and most organizations these days have come to expect the engraving-quality results that computer notation software can provide.

[@richardwilliams473]

Boy, is that cymbal player busy at the end !!!

[@detectivehome3318]

David Hurwitz ain't lying

[@patrickedwards5804]

Give me Mravinsky any day of the week..

[@HenrySing111]

which woodwind instruments are featured？

[@jeffreyfugh7602]

San Fierro: the city of psychadelic wonders

[@Leocolu1979]

Genial director Michael Tilson Thomas.

[@pablopetidiercastro908]

Does anybody know which year was this documentary recorded? Thanks.

[@InCAdocumentaries]

2003

[@rebeccamouse9294]

He has no score in front of him? He has the score memorized???

[@mikeinkc]

Yes. He has it memorized... MTT knows every note, rest, amd dynamic marking... He is awesome!

[@asuos007]

It is usual better prrformance ana it is his professoon A maestro

[@rebeccamouse9294]

@@asuos007 wow I knew soloists memorized their concertos but I didn’t know conductors sometimes did as well. That’s a lot of cues to remember to give.

[@sukyungchun5838]

1:30:00

[@EsmaelM-ze8nk]

Michael I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you I love you i love you

[@archangecamilien1879]

16:37 interesting...that it came to him in a dream...but, I don't know, haha...it could have been triumphant, happy, I don't know, not dreamy-like at all even if it came from a dream...

[@archangecamilien1879]

I mean...I'm not saying I know better, all these interpretations, subtleties just make everything more interesting, I'm all for it...what I don't always know is if the composer was thinking whatever it is claimed he was thinking, or wanted it this or that way...conductors probably improve compositions all the time...the composer might not know best...I know someone who composes who definitely doesn't know best, haha...someone else would probably only better his music through their interpretation...but then it would be wrong to say that whatever brilliant ideas they come up with came from the composer...I think I once heard a conductor say something of the sort, that a composer often doesn't have a clear idea of what they wanted, he cited the fact that they often revised their pieces (there's a scene in a film about Tchaikovsky, though I didn't care much for the film, where he complains that since a month he had only revised past pieces of music, he had not written anything new, I think it was since his marriage to his wife, not sure...I wonder why, though, haha, given that he wasn't exactly straight, haha...perhaps that's precisely why)...my initial reaction was that that was wrong, years ago, but I think he was absolutely right, right now...well, haha, at least in some cases...in many cases, they would probably know...and maybe it varies from person to person...

[@archangecamilien1879]

...of course, not saying that just because they have him say that in a film, that that means he would have said that in real life...the only piece I know for a fact that he revised is the Romeo and Juliet overture (perhaps the piano concerto too) but I would expect he did revise his pieces, occasionally...Beethoven said something about never revising his pieces because changing one thing would oblige him to change everything, or something like that...

[@archangecamilien1879]

I once heard a composer claim that the 2nd movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is that sad because of Mozart's dad's recent death or something...something about him having deliberately made the first movement happy, but that the 2nd betrayed him...now, perhaps it seeped in, or perhaps it didn't...I wouldn't be surprised if a happy person could come up with sad music, or a sad person come up with happy music...at least at times, haha...but maybe I'm wrong...perhaps often enough it's subconscious, things might seep in without anyone setting out to do something...

[@archangecamilien1879]

27:24 yeah, haha...one can see it's him...you can't always recognize the adult from the child, but this time...something about the mouth, the sides of the lips, etc, haha...

[@archangecamilien1879]

2:15 I don't know, haha...is it really the only art that does that?...

[@오징어열세다리]

55:57

[@mserth22]

He’s wrong. Here’s why: 1. Nothing in life can be proven. We don't live our lives based on proof. We can’t prove what he is saying and neither can he as there is no way to test what he's saying. 2. The idea that Earth could swap places with Mars if space were filled with a medium (like air or water) is interesting but doesn't line up with what we know about space and how planets move. Here's why: a. Space is mostly empty, which means there's nothing to slow down or change how planets move. This emptiness is crucial because it lets planets orbit the sun smoothly, without any interference. b. Planets like Earth and Mars stay in their paths around the sun because of gravity, which pulls them toward the sun, and their own movement, which tries to push them away into space. This tug-of-war keeps them in a stable loop. If space were full of some material, this loop would be messed up by the extra drag, causing planets to either spiral into the sun or drift away, not just switch places. c. According to basic science-like the stuff Newton and Einstein discovered-any big change in what space is filled with would seriously mess up the way planets move. Rather than swapping places neatly, they would likely start moving in unpredictable ways, either getting closer to the sun or floating off into space.

[@commontater8630]

nick lyons 2 years ago I. Andante sostenuto ...... 55:45 II. Andantino in modo di canzona ...... 1:15:00 III. Scherzo: Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro ...... 1:26:02 IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco ...... 1:31:58

[@danielramirez7827]

1:37:19 fate

[@djangaver]

17:29 I think that viola has a cancer

[@commontater8630]

That viola was designed to be ergonomically friendly, to be a more supportable instrument for the violist, and who knows, perhaps help shield him or her from cancer somewhere down the road.

[@patrickedwards5804]

Great musician that he is, I have to say that I take what MTT says abiut the "meaning" of Tchaic 4 with a very large pinch of salt. This isn't musciology, more Aaron Sorkin West Wing smaltzy sentimentalising and simplistic psychologising.

[@limoreperetzwoloshin8860]

But why does it have to be so "bombastic", melodramatic ...it needs some subtlety to be more effective

[@patrickedwards5804]

Oh dear, a retardando before the faith theme returns in the last movement. How wrong!

[@patrickedwards5804]

Italinate? More in the manner of Verdi!! Really??

[@hrvojebartulovic7870]

Sharpen your pencils, maestro, they are horrible (5:30)!!! How can you write like that!?

[@asuos007]

4th not the best

[@organboi]

Ugh. For kindergarteners.

[@bermm]

Being forced to watch this train wreck. I hate band class. Thank god I’m quitting.

[@anabelleharry1470]

bro i wanna quit so bad

[@michaelflorczyk1394]

Then quit and pursue something you're more passionate about. If you have no respect for the art of music then why did you take the class to begin with?

[@madjanetramerez2383]

Your loss. why take it?

[@omarfaruk6149]

I. Andante sostenuto ...... 55:45 II. Andantino in modo di canzona ...... 1:15:00 III. Scherzo: Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro ...... 1:26:02 IV. Finale: Allegro con fuoco ...... 1:31:58

[@kudon2]

1:32:00

[@sukyungchun5838]

57:57