Some works captivate from the very first note. But some works demand attention, reveal themselves gradually, and stay with us for a long time. The Symphonic Monuments series was created for those who want to listen with understanding and curiosity about form, context, and detail. It is for listeners who wish not only to hear but also to understand why these particular works have gone down in history as pillars of symphonic music.
A brief and informal introduction precedes each concert in this series – led by none other than the director of the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic in Szczecin, Przemysław Neumann, who will also take the conductor's podium. It's an exceptional opportunity to hear a symphony through the ears of a conductor – from the inside, with commentary from someone who knows every bar and every pause not only from the score but from the stage.
At the heart of the evening lies one of Romanticism's most enigmatic and moving works: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 Pathétique by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Completed in the summer of 1893 and premiered on October 28-just nine days before the composer's death-this piece reverses the traditional logic of the classical symphonic cycle. The finale, which typically brings the climax, becomes an epilogue here. Meanwhile, the third movement, march-like and full of strength, was applauded as the ending-the premiere audience was convinced it was the final movement.
And it's no wonder – Tchaikovsky builds tension not through melody but through rhythmic structure. Rhythm holds the entire piece together – through repetitions, suspensions, and unexpected pauses. Even the second movement, seemingly dance-like, is "different": a waltz in 5/4 time, slightly unsteady, as if uncertain. This imbalance is no accident – it's a signal that the emotions in this symphony don't conform to classical rules. Even more surprising – the symphony's ending doesn't provide a traditional closure but instead fades into silence. As if Tchaikovsky were saying, not everything has to end according to the book.
Despite its popularity, all of this makes the Pathétique still a work full of mystery. It cannot truly be heard by listening only to the surface of the sounds. That's why we invite you to this concert with full attention – and an openness to the story that will begin even before the orchestra plays the first note.
Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 performed by the Dresden Philharmonic conducted by Marek Janowski:
