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# Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ## Musician's Biography **1840:** Born into a wealthy family in Votkinsk, Russia, second of six children. **1854:** Aged 14, started composing seriously after his mother's death. **1859:** Graduated from law school and became a clerk at the Ministry of Justice. **1863...

# Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ## Musician's Biography **1840:** Born into a wealthy family in Votkinsk, Russia, second of six children. **1854:** Aged 14, started composing seriously after his mother's death. **1859:** Graduated from law school and became a clerk at the Ministry of Justice. **1863:** Gave up his job to study at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, graduating four years later. **1866:** Moved to Moscow to teach at the new Conservatory. **1876:** A wealthy widow, Madame von Meck, became his patron, providing him with financial support for 14 years. They never met. **1877:** Composed *Swan Lake* at age 37. Experienced nervous breakdown and travelled to Switzerland and Italy to recover. **1885:** Lived in virtual isolation in the Russian countryside between European concert tours at age 45. **1893:** Died in St. Petersburg, Russia, possibly from cholera, at age 53. ## Tchaikovsky's Ballets Tchaikovsky loved danceable music and significantly raised the status of ballet music to previously unknown heights. ### *The Sleeping Beauty*- a hit! Much of the original production still exists today. Ballet dancers' performances are similar to those of 1889. The music is emotionally rich with two main themes: * Dark, heartless theme for Carabosse (the wicked fairy) * Sweet, gentle theme for the Lilac Fairy ### *Swan Lake*- demanding *Swan Lake* was initially underperformed because conductors, dancers, and audiences perceived it as too complex and challenging. However, it has become one of the most demanding ballets, now greatly appreciated by modern dancers. ### *The Nutcracker*- a flop? *The Nutcracker* was not initially well received in 1892. However, it became a hugely popular ballet associated with the Christmas season for children worldwide. Musical highlights from this ballet are collected into a *Nutcracker Suite*. ## Music and the Person Tchaikovsky was naturally shy and prone to self-criticism. He sometimes tore up his music before anyone else could see it. His melancholy personality led him to compose emotionally expressive music, although he was also capable of writing joyful and brilliant music. ## Tchaikovsky's Influences * **Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791):** Tchaikovsky admired Mozart's dance music, minuets, and country dances. * **Robert Schumann (1810-1856):** Schumann's symphonies, choral works, and *Children's Album* influenced Tchaikovsky. ## The Children's Album Tchaikovsky dedicated a set of short piano pieces to his nephew. The 24 easy pieces were intended for children and included titles like *The Doll's Funeral*, *Mama*, and *Winter Morning*.