Conductor, Sir DAN GODFREY MISCHEL CHERNIAVSKY (Violoncello)
From The Pavilion, Bournemouth Tchaikovsky's original intention was to call this work ' A Programme Symphony,' although he never intended to reveal the programme, which was to remain a morbid and melancholy introspective secret. When it was complete, however, Tchaikovsky realized that he had wiitten perhaps the finest work of his career, and he sought the opinions of his friends regarding it. His brother was the originator of a suggestion that it should be called the Pathetic Symphony. Tchaikovsky first liked the name and agreed to it, but though better of the idea and instructed his publishers to call it merely ' Symphony No. 6 '; it was too late, however. Listeners will agree that it cannot now be associated with any other label.