Tchaikovsky - The Tempest (Fantasy Overture)

The Tempest, Symphonic Fantasia after Shakespeare, Op. 18, is a symphonic poem in F minor by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed in 1873. It was premiered in December 1873, conducted by Nikolai Rubinstein. It is based on the play The Tempest by William Shakespeare.
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[@johnlorenzen4633]

The love theme in the middle is typical tchakovsky genius but he also ventures into rimsky korsakov territory with moody mysterious tonal sea images. The man was incapable of writing bad music. He enriches our world still with his passion and melody.

[@marktubbs5805]

@Cem Doğan BOOM goes the cannon

[@MSOYosemiteOrchestra]

Well, with respect, I'd suggest it was the other way around. The 1873 Tempest pre-dated Rimsky's "sea" music save moments from the 1867 Sadko... A study of the progression of sophistication found in Rimsky's music which his amazing self-education brought about certainly shows a reliance on off-hand learning from Tchaikovsky ;) ! Tchaikovsky was a man Rimsky demonstrated more than a bit of envy and even jealousy for in his private communications...

[@just_another_clarinet_player]

@@MSOYosemiteOrchestra In fact, from what I read, Rimsky-Korsakov was a very good colleague and friend from Tchaikovsky. Although they had their differences on ideas of music (mainly because of the Five) they supported each other, even with Rimsky-Korsakov asking Tchaikovsky for advices a couple of times. For this piece specifically one of Tchaikovsky's greatest worries was that the sea theme of the opening was too much alike the Rheingold prelude from Wagner, to what Rimsky-Korsakov response was that he could not find similarities between Wagner's river and Tchaikovsky's ocean

[@svenm7264]

"incapable of writing bad music" Such an apt description

[@elmiramuradova561]

Bravo

[@blofeld2430]

With Tchaikovsky, every piece of music is a journey, sometimes a thunderous one.

[@Ayylmaogoodsir]

This work is very underrated. It’s a work of genius. The orchestration is amazing. It sounds like a modern movie score at times, especially the introduction. Another masterpiece that once again proves that Tchaikovsky is one of the greatest composers of all time.

[@theamazingfuzzlord]

I want to stand out in a violent thunder storm with driving rain and flashing fury with this booming in the background, riding the storm as if directing a symphony.

[@blotoutthesun4969]

theamazingfuzzlord Best comment I've ever seen on KZbin

[@Briellesketches]

+theamazingfuzzlord so basically mickey mouse's silly symphony haha

[@theversatileartist6446]

+theamazingfuzzlord Nice...

[@dwig3]

GET IT GURL

[@splch]

careful not to get sick

[@humamghassib2685]

Tchaikovsky's three Fantasy Overtures (Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest and Francesca da Rimini) are great masterpieces. In my opinion, they are among his finest and most profound compositions.

[@TheVaughan5]

Actually Francesca da Rimini is not an overture but there are 3 great overtures as you say - R & J, The Tempest and Hamlet.

[@giuseppeagresta1425]

His last three symphony also 👀

[@boenitv4349]

@@giuseppeagresta1425 and Manfred Symphonie

[@paullewis2413]

It`s fashionable for the so-called music elites` to downgrade Tchaikovsky because of his enormous popularity mainly stemming from his famous ballets but when you listen to a work such as this without bias, it becomes obvious that he is one of the greatest of all composers, no argument.

[@mr-wx3lv]

Agreed, incredible range of sound worlds and moods. Check out his religious and choral music too..

[@wlrlel]

Yes I think this mistake is often made...sadly. For example, the popularity of Beethovens 5. and 9. symphony doesn't change the fact that these two are among the greatest works of classical music and (the 9. even alot more than the 5.) art at all a little bit...

[@thetruth495]

I totally agree.

[@ViceroyoftheDiptera]

Cool story mate

[@karllieck9064]

Tchaikovsky is my favorite classical composer. He was a true giant in the pantheon of great composers. I have fallen in love with his Tempest Overture, a piece that has been shamefully neglected for years but now is enjoying more performances before stunned audiences asking," Why in the hell have you kept this masterpiece from us?" Bravo Tchaikovsky!

[@TheVaughan5]

Karl Lieck You're right this masterpiece has been neglected for far too long at the expense of Romeo and Juliet which is no better! There is a lot of great music that is rarely performed for the simple reason - "I know what I like and I like what I know!" but the situation is gradually changing.

[@windstorm1000]

its wonderful--but too long to be a concert opener, and to short to be a program main section (ie concerto) --many other masterpieces fall unjustly in this category--what we need in imagination in programming--but most symphonies are tootimid to break out of overture/concerto/symphony mold

[@karllieck9064]

Maybe we need audiences with a longer attention span. Begin program with short overture and then Tempest, intermission- and a symphony to end the concert and possibly a little bonus piece to send the crowd home happy. No big whoop. The Tempest is marvelous.☺

[@TheVaughan5]

windstorm1000 Actually many orchestras are finally breaking out of this mold and not before time. I think those that don't will disappear altogether in the not too distant future.

[@dwig3]

PREACH WOO

[@joaomarcellocedraz7853]

Tchaikovsky+overture=sucesso

[@elmiramuradova561]

Потрясающая музыка ,яркая ,сильная ,нежная ,жизненная и всегда вызывающая чувства❤

[@marionlovett7167]

A very haunting piece of music. Liked this piece since I was very young years ago,and still do today. Great composer.

[@davidellis3087]

He was a brilliant composer. I, too, have long been enamored by his passion and expression and sadness and triumph, which he employed in his great compositions. All of them masterpieces... Thank you...

[@hectorbarrionuevo6034]

Echoing other comments: what a great master composer ! Around 10:30 - 11:50 we hear a passage which exemplifies his lyrical genius, a soaring, sentimental, cinematic melody !

[@mr-wx3lv]

I'm not familiar with this work. But it is an underrated masterpiece. Tchaikovsky. Still one of the greatest and most heartfelt tune writers ever. That amazing tune appearing at around 9:00 is just otherworldly...

[@willemdebruijn7321]

Sounds like Wagner at first, then Bruckner, then Tchaikovsky, then Stravinsky (14:37) then Shostakovich (20:30) and then Bruckner again (22:35). What a piece!

[@davidevans3227]

and definitely some Mendelssohn..

[@fulviopolce9785]

Una gemma del giovane Tchaikowsky ,che già combina l'innata bravura di orchestrazione con il suo inconfondibile dono della melodia.Grande composizione.

[@ricardogallardo7467]

IMPOSIBLE DEJAR DE EMOCIONARSE CON LA MUSICA DE TCHAIKOVSKY, TIENE UN TIMBRE MUY PERSONAL Y DRAMATICO EN CASI TODAS SUS OBRAS, Y NO ES JUSTO COMPARARLO CON OTROS COMPOSITORES IGUALMENTE GENIALES, ME QUEDO EN TCHAIKOVSKY COMO ESE MAGO QUE DESLUMBRA, TIERNO Y TRISTE, CON M UCHA FUERZA Y POESIA, QUE NO PUEDE PASAR UNO DELANTE DE EL SIN PERCIBIRLO, SU MUSICA ES MUY DE ADENTRO DEL ALMA

[@sergixtepec1]

De acuerdo con Ricardo, Tchaikovsky es único, sublime y enérgico, tierno y violento. Manfredo, Francesa de Rimini, la Tempestad, todo el trabajo del maestro sin olvidar estas maravillosas orquestas y directores que como el presente le dan el sabor pleno al compositor.

[@sanrialvarez1904]

Así es, al igual que esta obra y sus oberturas como R&J, Hamlet, etc, sus obras para música de cámara son increíbles, les recomiendo que escuchen, si no lo han hecho, Souvenir de Florence y su trio para piano, violín y chelo que son magistrales.

[@different_channel]

Величайший. the greatest composer.

[@carmenpdl8918]

La maggioranza delle persone di Tchaïkovski conosce solo le musiche per balletto: Schiaccianoci, Lago dei Cigni, Bella addormentata. Ma lui è stato un grandissimo genio che ha composto meravigliosa musica classica di ogni genere

[@bcing75]

One of the most gorgeous love themes in all of music is contained within this exquisite work.

[@kennethdower7425]

Bingo.

[@ros1172]

Conducted by Antoni Wit with the Polish National Symphony Orchestra. Recorded in 1992. The BEST recording (In My Humble Opinion). Vladimir Stasov's programme for The Tempest was as follows: "Starting with the sea, the uninhabited island, the mighty and forbidding figure of the magician Prospero, then switching to the graceful and womanly Miranda, rather like the primordial Eve, she has never laid eyes on any breed of man (besides Prospero), until struck by the tempest she is flung ashore with the handsome youth Ferdinand; they fall in love with each other, and I think at this point in the first half of the overture there should be a wonderful and poetic motif, as Miranda gradually becomes more animated and leaves behind her childhood innocence to become a young woman in love. In the second half of the overture her and Ferdinand's passion should already be in full sail, as they embrace the fires of love ... the middle section of the overture would be grouped into three main sections: the half-beast Caliban, the enchanted spirit Ariel, and his chorus of elves. The overture ought to end by depicting Prospero's renunciation of his magic powers, the blessing of the young couple's union, and the return to the mainland."

[@paullewis2413]

Interesting this should be recorded by the Polish National (Radio) Symphony Orchestra. This orchestra is not widely known outside Poland (even though they tour quite a lot in Europe) However in over 40 years of concert going (I started very young kkkkk) I can say that I have NEVER heard such unbelievably beautiful sound from a symphony orchestra as that produced by them in a concert given in London around 8/9 years ago. Unforgettable!

[@just_another_clarinet_player]

Beautiful. A criminally underrated music piece. It shows that even on his early works Tchaikovsky was capable of writing music both clear and passional that can be heard without a program. It really deserves same number of performances as Romeo and Juliet or Francesca da Rimini.

[@spinosaurus2001]

19:40 Simplemente increíble, sacude el alma de una manera...

[@ConBarry11]

Studied this piece for a class, amazing melodies and harmony...So beautifully written. Tchaikovsky was a melodic genius!

[@heinedietiker4943]

Actually he got famous with this ouverture, and he got the support of Nadia von Meck.

[@karllieck9064]

She wrote Tchaikovsky a letter describing how she was in a translike state for days, wondering the forest after hearing a performance of The Tempest. The rest is history.

[@guilldrmobritos3551]

I love this composition absolutely beautiful

[@michaelpaulsmith4619]

Miranda's theme here is one of Tchaikovsky's most heart-rending melodies and the equal of the love theme from Romeo and Juliet. It tears me up every single time.

[@capnhawkins]

3:59 bummmm bum bum bum bum bummmm my heart always skips at that part

[@steelchikorita]

Music, this is real music. Calm, yet slightly fierce in a way, as if you know that something is happening.

[@adamstacey-clear1253]

Fabulous reflective music

[@paulbartz9440]

More than I am now, the older I get the more I want to just listen and enjoy.

[@lieslieshernandez5073]

THE ONLY ONE, THE GREATE...THE BEST OF ALL MASTERS

[@paulbartz9440]

One of my favourites. Music to just float away to.

[@jacquesferland1746]

Very much a programmatic work, Tchaikovsky received detailed instructions from Vladimir Stasov on how the music should evolve from the opening to the end of this work. For example, Stasov not only requested a sea storm (Tchaikovsky wondered if it was necessary and suggested calling the work "Miranda" instead), but he also asked for a sudden storm rather than the conventional slowly gathering storm found in preceding works about Shakespeare's play. Extremely self-critical, Tchaikovsky would soon evaluate this long overture rather harshly: "Its form is too long, episodic and unbalanced. The effect of these disconnected episodes produces a lack of movement and coherency." But it was popular among the Mighty Five.

[@maxfaberg128]

Well, the critique is true.

[@karllieck9064]

Tchaikovsky would never have known, he was writing film scores before motion pictures existed. The Tempest would had fit that bill perfectly.

[@Metrofin1]

"Sounds and sweet airs,that give delight,and hurt not." Caliban.

[@Suna32]

O wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!

[@johannwolfgangvantchaikovs1843]

thank you so much!

[@harbuthnot]

I came on this halfway through on a BBC Radio 3 programme this morning 27-11-13 and waited until the end to find out what the piece was, as I was not familiar with it, and could not guess the composer. I too would wonder at the rarity of performance of such an instantly likeable piece. Glad I could find on Utube though!

[@piano2750]

There is also a posthumously published work, The Storm, Op. 76, which is a totally different piece, not to be confused with this one.

[@windstorm1000]

the composer is nearly always successful in creating an emotional musical world--we enter it willingly--it reflects and mirrors our own emotional states--we are co-participants in Tchaikovsky's music, there fore. identifying with the composer--I don't get this with other composers.

[@youareallfeckinboring]

I don’t get this with Mahler no matter how hard I tried 😭

[@ammarnaji68]

Magnificent music 👍👍👍

[@Msannier]

Still in love with this

[@westerncondor1132]

I love wild classical music in the romantic era!

[@walterhudson4253]

❤😂 Tchaikovsky, I've finally mastered the spelling of his last name.

[@piismooth]

this is so wonderful !!

[@marlenepraxedes8783]

Maravilhoso

[@snowcarriagechengcheng-hun3454]

Thanks for uploading!

[@mirial2108]

Thank you for posting this! Another epic piece.

[@LeonThomasian]

And continues to impress me...

[@captainmolotov9865]

It is so good! Peter Ilich Tchaïkovsky is a God. We may remember him

[@gemnox]

Tchaikovsky looks like he's about to talk about the next great suffering and great peace that will follow.

[@ChaseStabRapeRun]

Beautiful

[@yp3424]

Having spent thousands of hours listening to Tchaikovsky's music,since my youth as a viola student, I have to say that his music is 90% of french,italian (& a bit of german character) and 10% has russian flavour. As a French writer said 40 years ago, it seems like a salon of a "western" aristocratic palace, invaded by cossacks!

[@-dimitris]

Igor Stravinsky disagrees with you.

[@yp3424]

@@-dimitris May be. Though, Gustav Mahler approves.

[@-dimitris]

@@yp3424 No, Gustav Mahler doesn't approve either.

[@yp3424]

@@-dimitris According to Const. Floros, in a letter to a friend, Mahler, who conducted the european premieres of some of Tchaikovsky's late works in Hamburg (6th symph.,"Iolanta", "E. Onyegin"e.t.c. quoted "His music is interesting, but rather italian in character". In exchange, Tchaikovsky wrote to his publisher Jurgenson in St. Petersburg: "The local orchestra and especially the conductor, are very able and I trust them 100%". In 1888 after the premiere of his 5th symphony, the dedicatee, Theodore A. Lallemant told Tchaikovsky that he must try to write something more "original" and less "germanic" in style.

[@-dimitris]

It seems that you don't like Tchaikovsky's music, the ironic quotation of the big mouth French writer denotes that. Your mind is made up, after thousands of hours. Ok, all people have their preferences. So, why are you here? To leave negative comment. Decent people don't do that, haters do. You say that Tchaikovsky's music is 90% French, Italian, some German. And 10% Russian. But then we see cossacks invading, which means much more Russian. And Mahler says only Italian! Where is the French that you see? Mr Lallemant growls about too much German (you only see a bit!) and no cossacks. Too much confusion. You struggle to belittle Tchaikovsky doing a very bad job. You could just say that his music is a blend of Russian, French, Italian, German, which is true, and leave it there. With this blend he wrote wonderful music, which eventually became very popular. Over and out. I won't bother to continue.

[@IlovelouisDTV]

thank you!

[@lieslieshernandez5073]

Hay algun compositor, musico que no te aburra despues de escucharlo todo de el o ella durante años??, despues de escucharle repetida e infinitamente???...solo uno.

[@nicolassantiagoortega5474]

19:33 la mejor recapitulación del 2° tema

[@TheVaughan5]

I continue to ask myself - why is this magnificent overture so rarely performed? It's every bit as good, if not better than Romeo & Juliet Overture.

[@windstorm1000]

probably because its too long as a concert overture---

[@bertrandrussel3680]

@@windstorm1000 maybe better for a bravo... lol

[@mr-wx3lv]

Because I believe there is a certain amount of commercialism in classical music. Certain works attract more customers and audience, thus creating money. I agree it's an astonishingly beautiful work and would love to hear it more in the concert halls.

[@harsimaja9517]

@@mr-wx3lv This doesn't really answer the question. Sure, it's because it's less popular in some way. Why is that, though?

[@TheSupahBish]

​@@harsimaja9517I guess it's because it's less structural than Romeo and Juliet. R&J has three themes and you can hear them throughout in clear structures. And it's based off a very popular play! I think the genius in this overture is harder to see for some people... That being said, I'm going to see a concert in a month and this is being performed, so I'm very excited.

[@nicolassantiagoortega5474]

13:23 mitad de la obra - momento contrapuntístico (combinación simultánea de melodías)

[@nicolassantiagoortega5474]

5:37 momento de la acción

[@mrboppre]

fascination...!

[@JenHope118]

A winner.

[@richardwagner8758]

un trabajo excelente

[@rogerevans9666]

A little Brucknerian in the end@22:32 and at the beginning. Sort of "thin on substance" in between.

[@paulbartz9440]

Having fell in love with the 1812 overture back when I was a boy. I have never seem to have been impressed with Tchaikovsky.

[@paulbartz9440]

Mite I ask the same of you?

[@paulbartz9440]

People who generally have a bad mouth , have no understanding of good music. So i think thart the like of Mr O.Mosley, should rethink how they listen..

[@windstorm1000]

well, you're wrong of course--open your ears up more--lot of emotional territory in his music...Sibelius and Mahler don't have his melodies--so few people will agree with you--

[@daph0307]

@@windstorm1000 Sibelius and Mahler do not have his melodies because Sibelius and Mahler are Sibelius and Mahler, respectively. They have melodies of their own, and many other charms that make their music just as attractive as Tchaikovsky's.

[@otium19]

delightful :)

[@alexandar.jovanovic]

The beginning of the piece sounds as it was done by Richard Strauss.

[@ISISOSIRIS1200]

thank's

[@sousafan100]

not too familiar with this work by tchaikovsky but it's a good one - thanks wn

[@MRMisteerss]

Ta de parabéns

[@didalutron]

The Bestt

[@maiterussorangel493]

♥️

[@alenpoehlman5913]

nutty

[@nboehm8410]

One my favorites...there is listed a recording w. Abaddo & the CSO in the 'Trumpet Herald' but I can't find it anywhere. Any clues?

[@christopherctew9779]

The Abaddo recording is cleaner than this one, especially the brass solos, and perhaps more evenly paced. The CD I have has Symphony #2 in c with it. Sony 30450516 P is the current pressing.

[@josemanuelbreafeijoo1156]

Well, I do not find more interpretive intensity than in this recording of the USSR Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Svetlanov?) kzbin.info/www/bejne/foGlomShoLGIjLc

[@tonkaphilips4674]

the beginning sounds like something straight out of LOTR

[@amouryvette8568]

👍🤟🌹😇

[@fulviopolce9785]

I riferimenti di orchestra e direttore andrebbero indicati......grazie

[@HienNguyen-iq4dq]

11:05

[@SamuelMartinez-bt9mr]

7:19

[@jeansebastienmazzarino3797]

sarebbe utile aggiungere la direzione e l'orchestra.grazie

[@srothbardt]

Somewhat reminiscent of "Francesca da Rimini"

[@monarca736]

There is an overture nown as "Hamlet". Is this the dame?

[@ulrichalbrecht9723]

no hamlet is hamlet and tempest is tempest

[@20shourya]

chai coffee tea

[@srothbardt]

Whose performance???

[@amybaxter5245]

My homework 😭

[@lieslieshernandez5073]

if you like chess, try to play a match of 10 min with thise or with Francesca Da Rimini...LAUD.

[@AlexKibre]

i cant believe tchaik was the supreme gay. like that's my role. u wanna go peter? tchaikovsky can FIGHT ME

[@Zeitiah]

He probably wasn't gay ") we have no real proof just a couple of secondary sources. But there are even more secondary sources saying that he was trying to find a woman spouse.

[@goddeath6480]

AwesomeMe and AwesomeYou - he was gay.

[@yp3424]

Если можно прямо к делу? И.А.П

[@barbarapaulinatapiasanmart1934]

[@ianstrange5674]

If you don't like Tchaikovsky then you don't like music.🙄

[@martaovi5404]

director, symphony, date recording, nothing

[@gabrielprado4367]

oi

[@halinewippel]

Gabriel Prado oi

[@JasleenBadech]

its giving disney

[@SmackGoggleFace]

One of the coolest gay men to exist.

[@gamermcdudarino3183]

HE WAS GAY AND *WASN'T* STONED TO DEATH!?

[@SmackGoggleFace]

Crazy, right? Especially in Russia. He WAS a closet gay, for obvious reasons

[@AlexD19931]

***** Wait, not that it changes my opinion of the man, but he was gay? I never knew.

[@SmackGoggleFace]

Oswald Mosley People like to imagine that groups they don't agree with never conceived anything good had come from them. Along with disproving bigots; Tchaikovsky being gay puts his music in an entirely different light, and it's even inspiring that such a man could be so important to a nation so homophobic. People care about Pyotr being gay because: he's a historic person, he lived in a country which was and still is homophobic, and it's fascinating.

[@cleolucas3820]

***** Well said. Just goes to show everyone how one's sexuality will NEVER make you 'lesser'.