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Tschaikowsky created a seventh symphony
Feb. 7, 2011 11:01 pm
In its Jan. 24 critique of Orchestra Iowa's Russian concert, The Gazette stated the Symphony No. 6 is Tschaikowsky's last completed work. Not so.
While No. 6 was waiting for its premier, Tschaikowsky sketched out Symphony No. 7, the first movement of which he arranged for piano and orchestra and marketed as Piano Concerto No. 3.
After the composer's death, a deft musical scholar orchestrated the entire four movements, which were marketed as Symphony No. 7. I have both the concerto and symphony on a Chandos record, by the London Philharmonic.
Symphony No. 6 is the last completed work that experts normally acknowledge. Because of their snobbery, Tschaikowsky lovers are cheated.
Bob Dostal
Iowa City
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