Many
of you may be quite familiar with Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture, but did you know he also wrote a
Hamlet Fantasy-Overture in 1888? The
idea to write something based on Shakespeare’s tragedy first was suggested to
Tchaikovsky by his brother in 1876. The composer quickly dismissed the idea,
claiming it too difficult an undertaking. It wasn’t until 1885 that he began
sketching a few ideas and in 1888, following a commission to compose incidental
music for the play, that he finally conceded. The production ended up being
canceled but Tchaikovsky still completed his Fantasy-Overture.
The
work is a symphonic poem much like what we discussed concerning Liszt’s setting
during my last post. Rather than reflect a play-by-play of the plot,
Tchaikovsky’s setting seems to express characters in the story. For instance,
the opening theme is tense in nature, much like Hamlet. A few minutes in, you
can hear the sound of the clock chiming midnight with twelve consecutive,
pulsing notes in the horns. At this, the gong sounds, possibly insinuating the
appearance of the ghost to the young prince. Another character to listen for
during this work is Ophelia, who perhaps can be heard in the oboe melody.
Years
later, Tchaikovsky was given another opportunity to write incidental music to a
Hamlet production, however he had
trouble putting his full self into the project since he had already said all he
needed to say in the Fantasy-Overture.
