The Tchaikovsky Handbook, Volume 1: Thematic Catalogue of Works, Catalogue of Photographs, Autobiography (Russian Music Studies) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Brett Langston (Author)
Key Phrases: Nadezhda von Meck, Modest Chaikovskii, Anatolii Chaikovskii (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The second volume consists chiefly of a guide to Tchaikovsky's letters and a bibliography. Tchaikovsky was a prolific letter writer; over 5,065 are listed in chronological order, ranging from cordial notes to letters expressing deep philosophical beliefs and emotional experiences. They are the single most important source for biographical information. Each entry gives recipient, date and place of writing, language if not Russian, location of original or copies, references to first publication, volume numbers from the complete Russian edition of Tchaikovsky's letters, and any English translation. An index of correspondents includes identity of each person, letter number, and guide to the next section, which supplies locations of Tchaikovsky's autograph letters, arranged geographically. The genealogy consists of detailed listing of French maternal and Cossack paternal ancestors dating from the 18th century, with a name index. The bibliography (5,746 entries) has six sections: catalogs and bibliographies, sources and documents, appreciation, biography, works, miscellanea. Both volumes are a pleasure to use. A most impressive work; a bargain and very highly recommended for academic libraries." -- R. P. Sasscer, Catholic University of America, Choice, October 2002

"Poznansky (author of several Tchaikovsky books) and Langston (British Tchaikovsky scholar) collaborated on this massive two volume set, intended to provide extensive coverage in English, long overdue, of everything relating to Tchaikovsky. The principal part of volume 1 is the thematic catalog of works in 23 categorie" -- e.g., operas, ballets, incidental music, symphonies, suites, orchestral music, concertos, songs and duets, chamber music, piano music, notebooks, diaries. Each section includes some of the score, instrumentation, dates and locations of performances, manuscript sources, publication, dedication, and related works. Additional features include a life chronology; facsimiles of score covers, music, articles, and diary entries; a catalog of 169 photographs in chronological order; and Tchaikovsky's autobiography, generously annotated for clarity. The work is enhanced by three abbreviation lists, an opus number list, a chronology of compositions, and two indexes (titles with variants and general). Intended for bibliographers, librarians, music critics, and program annotators as well as musicians and musicologists, this work is a bargain for quality of content, usability, and craftsmanship.

Product Description

The Tchaikovsky Handbook is a comprehensive guide to all known Tchaikovsky resource materials -- to every composition (with incipits), all the writings, every piece of correspondence, all the diaries, every interview, every photograph (with images included here), and everything written about Tchaikovsky -- and even more.

In addition to the basic bibliographical data, the catalog of works gives information on the circumstances surrounding their composition and their earliest performances, arrangements for other instruments, locations of manuscripts (and any peculiarities that they exhibit), publication history, and any related works (for example, other works in which Tchaikovsky used the same melodic material). A tremendous bibliographical undertaking, the Handbook raises the bar for Tchaikovsky scholarship.

Volume 1 includes a chronology of the composer's life; a catalog of all the compositions, writings, interviews, and photographs; a translation of his brief 1889 autobiography; and listings of the works by opus number, in chronological order, and by titles and variant titles. A general index completes the volume.

Volume 2 gives a full catalog of the correspondence, with an index of the correspondents and information about each of them, and a guide to locations of Tchaikovsky's autograph letters. The bibliography is arranged topically and is also indexed to make the work optimally useful and usable. The volume concludes with a new genealogy of the composer.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 704 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; annotated edition edition (February 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253339472
• ISBN-13: 978-0253339478
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,636,885 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful!, January 30, 2008

By	Michael S. Svoboda - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mind you I have both catalog books from this collection (Vol. 1 & 2). They're for anyone who's a die-hard Tchaikovsky fan. I've never in my life been so touched by anyone's music other than Tchaikovsky's. Great pictures are included in this book - pictures that you cannot find anywhere at the library or other places. All of his works, known to man, are in here. If you need it, this book has got it. I recommend getting both; it's hard to get volume 1 without volume 2.

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful!, January 30, 2008

By	Michael S. Svoboda - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Tchaikovsky Handbook: Volume 1: Thematic Catalogue of Works, (Hardcover)

Mind you I have both catalog books from this collection (Vol. 1 & 2). They're for anyone who's a die-hard Tchaikovsky fan. I've never in my life been so touched by anyone's music other than Tchaikovsky's. Great pictures are included in this book - pictures that you cannot find anywhere at the library or other places. All of his works, known to man, are in here. If you need it, this book has got it. I recommend getting both; it's hard to get volume 1 without volume 2.

5.0 out of 5 stars WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO GET THIS BOOK!, April 14, 2006

By	BelleAuBois (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tchaikovsky Handbook: Volume 1: Thematic Catalogue of Works, (Hardcover)

I just got this book from Amazon and I am very satisfied indeed. I waited too long to get it, not realizing that it was huge and heavy, like a text book in school, well worth it's price, and that it had Tchaikovsky's works completely documented, even the posthumous ones, ... and that this would make life easier for a complete fan of his, such as moi. Now I can properly look up the work I am interested in, with the proper title so as to inquire whether the music store can get it for me, since it has not been easy just to get a particular Tchaikovsky piece online.

This book also has the very beginning of each musical piece, the score that is.