It was while visiting his sister in "Little Russia" (an area of Southern Russia known better as the Ukraine) that Tchaikovsky got the idea to compose a new symphony based on songs he heard from the inhabitants. The first performance of the new symphony (his second) took place in Moscow in 1873, and was revised eight years later. This march (the symphony's second movement) is actually the tragic wedding march from Tchaikovsky's discarded opera "Undine". Simple chromatics, hooked bowings, and staccato and marcato bow styles make this charming work an excellent teaching piece for young orchestras. Perfect for contests!

Performed by the Alfred Studio Orchestra
Stephen Squires, Conductor