Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony

E801650

Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony, often nicknamed the "Little Russian," is an early orchestral work by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky that is notable for its use of Ukrainian folk melodies and its energetic, nationalistic character.

All labels observed (3)

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Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf symphony
alsoKnownAs Little Russian
Symphony No. 2 in C minor
approximateDuration 35–40 minutes
catalogueIn Tchaikovsky symphonies
composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
compositionEndYear 1872
compositionStartYear 1872
countryOfOrigin Russian Empire
era late 19th century
firstPerformanceCity Moscow
firstPerformanceCountry Russian Empire
firstPerformanceDate 1873-02-07
followedBy Tchaikovsky's Third Symphony
hasMovement I. Andante sostenuto – Allegro vivo
II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
III. Scherzo: Allegro molto vivace
IV. Finale: Moderato assai – Allegro vivo
historicalSignificance one of Tchaikovsky's earliest successful symphonies
key C minor
languageOfFolkThemes Ukrainian
movementCount 4
nationalisticCharacter Russian
nicknameOrigin use of Ukrainian ("Little Russian") folk tunes
notableFeature energetic character
extensive use of Ukrainian folk melodies
nationalistic tone
numberInSeries 2
opusNumber Op. 17
orchestration standard late-Romantic symphony orchestra
period Romantic
precededBy Tchaikovsky's First Symphony
premiereConductor Nikolai Rubinstein
premiereVenue Moscow
revisedVersionCompletionYear 1880
revisedVersionConductor Eduard Nápravník
revisedVersionPremiereCity Saint Petersburg
revisedVersionPremiereCountry Russian Empire
revisedVersionPremiereYear 1881
structure four-movement symphonic form
style Russian nationalism in music
themeSource Ukrainian folk song "Down by Mother Volga"
Ukrainian folk song "Spin, O My Spinner"
Ukrainian folk song "The Crane"
usesFolkMaterialFrom Ukraine
Ukrainian folk songs

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Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Tchaikovsky's Third Symphony precededBy Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony
Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 alsoKnownAs Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony
Little Russian refersTo Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2
linked to: Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony
Little Russian nicknameOf Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2
linked to: Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony