The second movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique” is written in 5/4 time.
Marked “Allegro con grazia,” the movement is a graceful dance in D major, but its five-beat meter makes it feel subtly uneven. Tchaikovsky groups the beats in a way that resembles a waltz while adding an extra beat, creating the movement’s famous “limping” or irregular-waltz character.
The movement follows the enormous first movement, which moves between slow and fast sections, so its lighter dance quality provides a striking contrast. It is arranged in a ternary design, with a brighter opening and returning sections surrounding a darker passage in B minor. The cello section helps introduce the opening idea, while the closing measures become quieter and more wistful.
A common mix-up is to identify the movement as a conventional 3/4 waltz because of its dance rhythm. The unusual 5/4 signature is precisely what gives the music its distinctive forward motion. Symphony No. 6 premiered in Saint Petersburg in 1893, shortly before Tchaikovsky’s death.