Summary: It's at the end of the second movement of this symphony that it truly leaves convention, if it was ever there in the first place! Traditionally the 3rd movement of a symphony would either be a slow movement or a fast scherzo, and then the last movement is meant to be a rousing finale sending the audience home thrilled. Tchaikovsky writes a real scherzo, but then follows it with a slow movement of immense tragedy. We'll talk about these innovations, the theories surrounding Tchaikovsky's death, and more!
