Tchaikovsky : Manfred, Symphony in B minor after Byron's dramatic poem Op. 58 (1885)

I. Lento lugubre - Moderato con moto - Andante 0:00 Manfred wanders in the Alps. Wearied by the fatal questions of existence, tormented by hopeless longings and the memory of past crimes, he suffers terrible spiritual yearnings. He has delved into the occult sciences and commands the mighty powers of darkness, but neither they nor anything in this world can give him the forgetfulness to which alone he vainly aspires. The memory of the lost Astarte, once passionately loved by him, gnaws at his heart, and there is neither limit nor end to Manfred's despair. II. Vivace con spirito 16:20 The Alpine Fairy appears to Manfred beneath the rainbow of a waterfall. III. Andante con moto 25:10 Pastorale. A picture of the simple, free and peaceful life of the mountain folk. IV. Allegro con fuoco 37:15 The subterranean palace of Arimanes. An infernal orgy. Appearance of Manfred in the midst of a bacchanal. Evocation and appearance of the spirit of Astarte, who pardons him. Death of Manfred. Performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti.