1875-1876
1. Op. 30. Quartet No. 3 in E flat major, for two violins, viola, and ‘cello, dedicated to the memory of F. Laub. The first sketch dates from the beginning of January, 1876, in Paris. Finished, according to date upon the manuscript, February 18th (March 1st), 1876. Performed for the first time March 18th (30th) of the same year at Grijimaly’s concert. Published by Jurgenson.
2. Op. 20. The Swan Lake. Ballet in four acts. Begun August, 1875, finished at the end of March, 1876. Published by Jurgenson. First performance at the Opera House, Moscow, February 20th (March 4th), 1877.
3. Op. 37. The Seasons, twelve pieces for piano. These were written in the course of the year, one piece each month, and were commissioned by the publisher of a St. Petersburg musical journal. Kashkin tells us that Tchaikovsky did not consider this a very important work, but in order not to miss sending each number at the right time, he ordered his servant to remind him when a certain date came round in each month. The man carried out his master’s order, coming at the right day with the reminder: “Peter Ilich, is it not time to send to St. Petersburg?” upon which Tchaikovsky would sit down at once and write the required piece without a pause. Later the pieces were collected and republished by Jurgenson.
4 The translation of the libretto and arrangement of the recitatives of Mozart’s Figaro, which Tchaikovsky undertook (at the desire of N. Rubinstein) for a performance of this opera by the students of the Conservatoire.
This season Peter Ilich brought his literary work to an end. His last criticisms dealt with Wagner’s Trilogy, and remained unfinished.
1876-1877
1. Op. 31. Slavonic March for full orchestra. First performance in November, 1877, under N. Rubinstein’s bâton, at a symphony concert in Moscow. Jurgenson.
2. Op. 32. Francesca da Rimini (after Dante), symphonic fantasia for full orchestra. Dedicated to S. I. Taneiev. Tchaikovsky sketched the plan of this work during his visit to Paris in the summer of 1876. He did not actually work at the composition until the end of September. The sketch was finished October 14th (26th), the orchestration November 5th (17th). First performance, under N. Rubinstein, at a symphony concert, Moscow, February 26th (March 10th), 1877. Jurgenson.
3. Op. 33. Variations on a Rococo Theme, for violoncello and orchestra. Dedicated to G. Fitzenhagen. Composed December, 1876. Jurgenson.