Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Kamsko-Votkinsk, Russia, on May 7, 1840, and died in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 6, 1893. The first performance of Marche slav took place in Moscow, Russia, on November 17, 1876, with Nikolay Rubinstein conducting the orchestra of the Russian Musical Society. Marche slav is scored for two piccolos, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two cornets, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drums, cymbals, snare drum, tam-tam, and strings. Approximate performance time is ten minutes.

On June 30, 1876, Serbia and Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire. Many Russians joined Serbia and Montenegro in the conflict. On November 17, 1876, Nikolai Rubinstein led a Moscow concert of the Russian Musical Society, a benefit in support of the Slavic war effort. Rubinstein asked Tchaikovsky to compose a piece for the concert. In the span of just five days (October 2-7), Tchaikovsky completed what he originally called the “Serbo-Russian March,” later titled Marche slav.

The premiere of the work was a tremendous success. One member of the Moscow audience reported: “The rumpus and roar that broke out in the hall…beggars description. The whole audience rose to its feet, many jumped up onto their seats: cries of bravo and hurrah were mingled together. The march had to be repeated, after which the same storm broke out afresh… It was one of the most stirring moments of 1876. Many in the hall were weeping.” (David Brown, Tchaikovsky: The Crisis Years 1874-1878, New York, London: W.W. Norton & Company, 1983, p. 101)

The Marche slav is in A—B—A form. The hushed, ominous opening measures preface the “A” section’s principal melody, a Serbian folk tune. The music builds to a forceful proclamation. The key shifts from the minor to the major for the central “B” section, again featuring Serbian folk melodies, as well as a portion of the Tsarist national anthem, “God Save the Tsar.” The reprise of “A” leads to a grand statement of the anthem, and the Marche slav’s triumphant final bars.

program notes by Ken Meltzer