style

HE'S GOT STYLE!

Most famous for his ballet music, Tchaikovsky�s style of music is not easy to define. Sometimes it would sound unoriginal, like something you�d hear in an elevator. Nationalists who used a folk style heavily influenced some of his works, while you can hear similarities with Italian compositions in others (www.artsworld.com). Some of the piano music is said to sound too much like saloon music, while others say he uses the waltz sound too often.

Of course, any artist is going to have their successes and letdowns, along with a few songs that sound like something heard before. But, for the most part, Tchaikovsky�s style is original. Some pieces have so much energy and liveliness, while others are extremely gloomy and dark.

After he wrote �Fate� and �Romeo and Juliet� in 1869, Tchaikovsky had already set up his sound. Many of his works sounded overcast and dismal, but there was also a feeling of nostalgia having a steady rhythm. By using a minor key, he could also insert a romantic feeling into his music, which was often used. Many elements of his compositions are included as a window for other people to see something more than just music.

Tchaikovsky�s last symphony (number six) portrays how he saw his life. In the first movement, the opening bassoons sound dark and disparaging, with little emotion, only darkness. The theme of the first movement is supposed to be happier, but it sounds more like a fake happiness covered in pain and suffering. The second movement is a waltz, but instead of using 3-4 time (standard waltz time signature), he chooses to use 5-4 time (www.artsworld.com). This means that there are five beats in every measure instead of three, and it is very difficult to get into the rhythm of these awkward time signatures. This movement does not fit in very well with the rest of the symphony, and the awkward time signature makes it stand out. As the symphony ends, there is no big bang; it just ends in a whimper gradually fading out. All of the elements of this symphony portray the way he feels about himself. The second movement sticks out like a sore thumb and never fits in with the rest of the gloomy symphony. He is the second symphony and the rest of it is just the depressing world around him, and it ends without anybody noticing, but rather a relief. It�s even titled �Pathetic.�

HOME