March Allegro from Symphone Pathétique, Op. 74 (Get ready for BLAST OFF!)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (7 May 1840 — 6 November 1893) was one of the great composers of the Romantic period. He left many famous and beloved compositions.

The "Symphone Pathétique" dates from 1893. It is dedicated to Vladimir Davydov (1871–1906).

This simply astounding transcription was done by George Blake (1912-1986).

Blake was a student and protégé of Lew White (organist of the original Roxy Theatre), and served as principal organist for a number of theaters in New Jersey and New York City, including the New Roxy (later the Center Theatre) in Rockefeller Center.

As the age of the cinema organist ended, Blake focused primarily on sacred music. During his cinema years, he was organist at several churches in New Jersey including St. Andrew's Episcopal (South Orange) and Grace Episcopal (Nutley).

He composed and published extensively in both sacred and secular genres.

This smiling, exciting, even bombastic march arrangement has NOTHING to do with anything pathetic! It is found in "An Album of Marches" published by Theodore Presser Co. in 1944.

I could not think of any organ that could do a better job of handling this little, happy monster than the Peterborough Hill!

The brief opening sounds sort of like something that Modest Mussorgsky might have written, but this is only a few lines leading directly in to the march proper.

The main featured solo voice is the Tuba Mirabilis of the Solo. This tuba is "the new one" designed by Harrison & Harrison to be in the style of Hill. It has the brilliance and impact that this needs.

For the last section, I add the original Tuba into the mix. What a glorious racket they make together!

On the score, Blake indicates a tempo of 152 to the quarter note. Well, good luck with that! (It's not possible...)

Anyway, you just can't help but love this, and hope that my listeners really enjoy it.

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Peace to All!