Marius Petipa, Ballet Master at the Mariinsky Theatre, wanted music "colossal in effect" for the opening "Andante maestoso" movement. The music is made up of descending (falling) scales for cellos. A second, contrasting section is written for oboe and bass clarinet. The music ends with a great climax for trombones. The musical theme of the "Andante maestoso" is similar to Tchaikovsky's death themes in the Fifth and Sixth symphonies.