February 23 1886

Tchaikovsky's Symphony "Manfred" Premieres

The Manfred Symphony in B minor, Op. 58, is a programmatic symphony composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchikovsky's symphonies he completed that is not numbered (the symphony in E flat is a conjectural work left unfinished by the composer) and was written between the Fourth and Fifth symphonies.
Like the fantasy-overture Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky wrote Manfred Symphony at the behest of nationalist compoers Mily Balakirev, who provided a program written by critic Vladimir Stasov. Stasov had sent the program to Balakirev in 1868, hoping Balakirev would write a symphony based on it. Balakirev did not feel compatible of carrying put this project and sent the program to french composer Hector Berlioz, Whose programmatic works had genuinely impressed him. Berloiz refused, claiming old age and ill health, and returned the program to Balakirev. Balakirev kept the program until he reestablished contact with Tchaikovsky in the early 1800's.
The Manfred Symphony is the only programmatic symphonic work by Tchaikovsky in more than one movement. he initially considered the work one of his best, and in typical reversal of opinion later considered destroying all but the opening movement. the The symphony was greeted with reviews, some finding much to laud in it , and others feeling that its programmatic aspects only weakened it. Manfred remained rarely preformed for many years, probably due to its length and complexity. It has been recorded with increasing frequency but is still seldom heard in the concert hall