Penza, 4 March 2015. PenzaNews. The official opening ceremony of the 9th symphonic music festival dedicated to the 175th anniversary of Pyotr Tchaikovsky will take place at the Penza Regional Philarmonic Hall on Friday, March 20.

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The Sixth Symphony, also known as “the Pathétique,” will be performed in the grand hall, said the press secretary of “Penzakoncert” Svetlana Zinina.

“This is Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s last symphony. He wrote it from February to late August of 1893, and its name was suggested by his brother Modest. The symphony is dedicated to the composer’s nephew, Volodya (Vladimir) Davydov. Its title, ‘the Pathétique’ [‘Passionate, emotional’] highlights the contrast of the all-present and underlying motives of life and death contrasting in the creation,” said the speaker.

The symphony premiered in St. Petersburg and conducted by its author himself on October 16, 1983, nine days before the composer’s death, she added.

“The masterpiece will be performed in Penza by the symphonic orchestra led by the renowned culture artist Vladimir Kashirsky. Moreover, the schedule of the symphonic festival includes an evening performance of Tchaikovsky’s romance songs and The Piano Concerto,” Svetlana Zinina clarified.