Tchaikovsky's Pathtique and Russian Culture

Tchaikovskys Sixth Symphony (1893), widely recognized as one of the worlds most deeply tragic compositions, is also known for the mystery surrounding its hidden programme and for Tchaikovskys unexpected death nine days after its premiere. While the sensational speculations about the composers possible planned suicide and the suggestion that the symphony was intended as his own requiem have long been discarded, the question of its programme remains.