# Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 ("Pathétique")

The famous lyrical second theme, soaring, heart-on-sleeve. Cello section in unison.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

- **Work:** Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 ("Pathétique")

- **Movement:** I. Adagio – Allegro non troppo

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1893

- **Key:** D

- **Metre:** 4/4

- **Tempo:** Andante approximately 60 BPM

- **Clef:** Bass clef

- **Difficulty:** Intermediate

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

Long, lush bow, full hair, weight in the index finger.

## Style

Sing it. Vibrato continuous, expressive shaping at the peak D4.

## Techniques

symphony, audition, lyrical, famous

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, II, cello accompaniment](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-5-ii), Pizz. accompaniment under the famous horn solo. Beautiful in its restraint. Comfortable; Late-Romantic; Bass clef.
- [Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet, love theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-romeo-love), The most famous love theme in classical music. Cellos take the soaring line. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-rococo), Tchaikovsky's tribute to the classical era. Pure, transparent, devilishly hard to play with simplicity. Advanced; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 1, I, cello melody](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mahler-1-i), The "Wayfarer" theme stated in the cellos, naïve, folk-like, pure. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Strauss: Death and Transfiguration, apotheosis](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-death-transfig), The transcendent C major apotheosis, cellos sing the transfiguration theme over shimmering strings. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef.
- [Wagner: Tristan, Prelude opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/wagner-tristan-prelude), The most famous opening in Romantic music. Cellos rise to F, then the legendary "Tristan chord" hangs. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-6-i