In the 19th century, writers such as Charles Dickens commonly published books in monthly installments which appeared in popular periodicals.
Published on the first day of each month in 1876 in the St. Petersburg music journal, Nuvellist, Tchaikovsky’s piano cycle, The Seasons, Op. 37a reached listeners in a similar way. Subtitled “12 characteristic scenes,” the atmospheric works are miniature tone paintings. Tchaikovsky composed them concurrently with the ballet, Swan Lake. In this era before recordings, the pieces would have been played as entertainment in the home. For the composer, the commission resulted in supplemental income.
March is a month which brings the first blossoms of spring. But Tchaikovsky’s March: Song of the Lark (Andantino espressivo) is filled with late-winter gloom. Set in G minor, it unfolds with a melody which is desolate and melancholy. It sinks deep into the piano’s low register.
This 1999 recording features Vladimir Ashkenazy:
Song of the Lark (March)
The field shimmering with flowers,
The stars swirling in the heavens,
The song of the lark fills the blue abyss.
-Apollon Maykov
Recordings
- Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a, Vladimir Ashkenazy Amazon
Featured Image: “The Beginning of Spring” (1888), Alexei Savrasov
For Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons, there is an arrangement for violin and orchestra by Peter Breiner recorded by the label Naxos that I would like to recommend. Takako Nishizaki performs the solo violin part with Queensland Symphony Orchestra under Peter Breiner. The arrangement is charming and colorful in its tone color that is different from the solo piano.