Tchaikovsky: The Tragic Life of a Musical Genius [DVD]

TCHAIKOVSKY is a beautifully written and narrated and acted biopic of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840 - November 6, 1893). Though there will be those who object to subtitling this opinion with the name of Sir Edward Elgar's brilliant opus, after seeing this film the label may seem more suitable. What makes this BBC 2 part docudrama (both parts are on this one CD together with a 1993 'Omnibus: Who Killed Tchaikovsky?' special) is the choice of narrator: conductor and music historian Charles Hazlewood is our guide through this very well mixed combination of acted flashbacks of the life and times of Tchaikovsky while sharing his discussion with moments of conducting the Mariinsky Young Philharmonic in excerpts from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, Eugene Onegin, the Piano Concerto No. 1, the Violin Concerto and Symphonies Nos. 4 and 6. The concept and script were written by Director Matthew Whiteman, with Suzy Klein, and the cinematic dramatic portions are quite good.Part One, 'The Creation of Genius', focuses on the childhood of Tchaikovsky (played with great empathy by Ed Stoppard) with his family history included - the fact that Tchaikovsky was forced to attend school to be trained as a lawyer, his devastation when his beloved mother died of choler when he was only 14 years old, and his entry into music where beginning with his composition of Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture he became recognized as an exciting force in Russian music, moving on to become a teacher at the academy in St Petersburg and continued to master the art of writing for the ballet (few truly fine composers had composed specifically for the ballet at that point) and line of 6 symphonies that followed.Part Two, 'Fortune and Tragedy' explores Tchaikovsky who together with his supportive brother Modest (William Mannering) were homosexuals when same sex alliance was considered a crime in Russia, punishable by being exiled to Siberia. Tchaikovsky feared discovery of his sexuality, knowing that public knowledge would end the career he was working so hard to create. Despite the fact that he was very active, preferring frequent anonymous encounters in the night streets of St. Petersburg but establishing a few solid affairs also, Tchaikovsky decided that he must marry as a cover. He met and married Antonina Milyukova (Alice Glover) while simultaneously carrying on a passionate affair confined to letter correspondence with the wealthy patroness Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck. When it became obvious that Tchaikovsky could not fulfill his marital duties with Antonina he fled the country and with the financial support of von Meck he traveled to Italy and Switzerland where his compositions flourished. Returning to Russia as a full fledged musical genius he composed his great works at his quiet home in Klin attended by his beloved nephew Valdimir Davidov, ending with the Symphony No. 6 'Pathétique', dying apparently of cholera nine days after he conducted its premiere in St. Petersburg at the young age of 53. The controversy over the death of Tchaikovsky - whether it was accidental or suicide remains a conundrum to this day.Charles Hazlewood proves to be a fine guide and conductor and interviews his orchestra embers and various people who have insight as to Tchaikovsky's life and music. There are some very fine performances of the piano and violin concerti and the letter scene form Eugene Onegin by young very promising Russian artists. Many excerpts of both Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty are also included - beautifully photographed. Some viewers will find the focus on Tchaikovsky's sexuality excessive, while others will appreciate the insights as to why the idiosyncratic man was able to draw more passion form his music than most other composers of Russia. The overall picture of the life of a great artist is beautifully sculpted and deserves a wide audience. The accompanying featurette "Omnibus: Who Killed Tchaikovsky?" while interesting and well documented feels more like sensational journalism when compared tot he dignity of the two part series. For all music lovers this DVD is worth viewing and placing in the library. Grady Harp, June 11

This film, produced by the BBC, combines musical performances of several select works by Tchaikovsky along with a commentary by a conductor which are further enhanced with dramatizations of key scenes from the life of the great composer. This is a very effective format to explore the life and works of Tchaikovsky. The director, Matthew Whiteman, explores a hypothesis that the tensions and double life that Tchaikovsky lead can be detected in his music. This is the only weakness in the film in that the works of Tchaikovsky appear to be far from transparent interpretations of the struggles he encountered as a closeted gay man attempting to hide his homosexuality as his international fame increased.Performances of the piano concerto, the violin concerto, the 4th, 5th, and 6th Symphonies, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and the Nutcracker are integrated into the life sequences. The case is made that whereas opera has many great composers, Tchaikovsky is the great composer for ballet. Tchaikovsky's homosexuality is depicted fairly and realistically as a part of this great man that he found difficult to integrate into his ever increasing fame. However, to interpret his music in terms of his closeted lifestyle seemed to me to be over analytical and not accurate.Ed Stoppard plays an understated Tchaikovsky, which is excellent since so much of the drama is in the music. I was impressed with the very sad childhood of the composer, sent to a boy's school for future civil servants (what a terrible thought). I was also impressed with the relationships between the composer and his younger brother, who was also gay, and who was a life long confidant of the composer. The mystery as to whether the composer accidentally drank contaminated water or whether he knowingly drank the water as a suicide attempt seemed to be an effort to bring a bit of mystery into the film. But ask yourself, do you really think anyone would commit suicide by contracting cholera?This is a very good production. It is intelligent and the musical passages are superb.

The true facts surrounding the death of Tchaikovsky at just the age of fifty-three remain clouded and hidden. The Russian Government of today is similar to the British Government and Edwardian attitudes of many years ago, as the English novelist E. M. Forster said in his posthumous publication of his novel Maurice, "The English have always been disinclined to accept" the realities of "human nature". Doubtless the personal papers, letters, diaries and other records held in the voluminous Tchaikovsky House-Museum collection at his country estate at Klin are important. This museum some fifty miles north west of Moscow would reveal important clues. But, unlimited access to these records remains unattainable. Tchaikovsky is considered a Russian treasure and for the present at least, the Government, to the extent that it can, will not allow any questioning of the Tchaikovsky reputation that it seeks to protect. This film dramatizes some of the accepted theories of the life of the composer and shows how various events in his life affected and influenced his music.

This two part (approx. 1 Hr each episode) BBC docu/drama recounts the tragic life of Tchaikovsky and includes some of his most brilliant and beautiful symphonys. English conductor Charles Hazelwood travels to Russia to examine the tragic life and suspicious death of Tchaikovsky. Filmed on location in Russia, the story of Tchaikovsky life and loves unfolds as his music is performed by young Russian musicians (attending a famous music school in St. Petersburg). Ed Stoppard plays the mature Tchaikovsky and as usual the BBC production is beautifully done. A treatment of his life was done as a motion picture film by Ken Russell in the 70's, entitled The Music Lovers but, as was Russell's style very over the top. I am inclined to belive this docu/drama tells the story more truthfully.

This DVD had all the hallmarks for a film of the life of Tchaikovsky, from the cover, information and description by Amazon. But it is not this at all, it is a documentary with clips from a film ...... or TV dramatisation .... It is so annoying that we don't get to see the whole thing. The documentary is ok, nothing new offered and no examples of the wonderful way Tchaikovsky puts his music together. This is from a purely musician's view point not from a listener's-laymen's angle. The presenter has no enthusiasm, don't know why he did it. I felt very cheated, by Amazon and the DVD producers - I even bought a new DVD player (to play NTSC discs) for this. The money isn't wasted as I can now order other NTSC discs, but annoying never the less.

I found this documentary an excellent combination of narration and musical performance. It was interesting and informative. I realize that there are unanswered questions about Tchaikovsky's life but a biography can only give at most a snapshot of the individual. The information about his sexuality was helpful in understanding his music.

This dvd combines story telling with modern performances of Tchaikovsky's music. You discover who he was and how his personal life and Russian heritage influenced his compositions. The music becomes more passionate and complete through this study. The Nutcracker remains the only important work not heard on this DVD. After watching this, I wanted to replay the complete pieces to enjoy the music again.

Je m'attendais à un film sur Tchaïkovsky, mais ç'est plutôt un documentaire-film. J'étais déçue que ce ne soit qu'en anglais. Malgré tout, je ne regrette aucunement mon achat. Ç'est une réalisation de très grande qualité, bâtie sur des recherches très poussées et des témoignages pertinents. Et que dire de la musique, sublime! Je vous le conseille fortement, bonne écoute !!!

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