Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk Russia on May 7th 1840. His family were relatively well off and the young Tchaikovsky showed promise in both music and languages from a very early age. It has been reported that Tchaikovsky could read music adeptly from the age of just 8 years old. He began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and it is said that he told his parents that he was kept awake at night by music flowing through his mind. Tchaikovsky's mother died of cholera when he was 14 years old and it is said he never got over losing his mother.
Tchaikovsky's parents sent him to the School of Jurisprudence when he was 10 years old to prepare him for a career in the civil service. They did not fully realize the extent of their gifted son's talents and felt he needed to be prepared for a stable future. While at the school Tchaikovsky all but dropped his musical studies, but after his graduation in 1859 he took up the study of music once again, taking lessons at the St Petersburg Conservatory. Rediscovering his deep passion for music Tchaikovsky resigned from his civil service job in 1863 to study music at the Conservatory full time.
Free from the constraints of regular employment Tchaikovsky was able to devote himself to his music. With Anton Rubenstein, the director of the conservatory, as his mentor he was able to fully study the conservatory's curriculum. Rubenstein was a contemporary of Franz Liszt and noted for his technical excellence.
Tchaikovsky's music became widely known and well regarded between 1875 and 1892. Noted for its melodic qualities Tchaikovsky is perhaps best known for his compositions for classical ballet. During this time Tchaikovsky wrote his ballet masterpiece's Swan Lake in 1876, Sleeping Beauty in 1889 and The Nutcracker in 1892. Tchaikovsky's personal life was more troubled however and at one point he entered into an ill-fated 9-week marriage.
Tchaikovsky never got over the loss of his mother and suffered much emotional turmoil throughout his life. Although his private life was troubled he continued to enjoy great success professionally and travelled to many places. In 1891 he toured America conducting his works but conducting was never something he felt comfortable doing. Pathetique, Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony received its premiere in October 1893 but was initially met with a lukewarm reception. Eventually the piece received much greater acclaim.
Tchaikovsky died on November 6th 1893 in St Petersburg it is believed he contracted cholera after drinking water that was contaminated. His death came just one week after the premiere of Pathetique and Tchaikovsky would never know that his symphony would go on to be regarded as one of his greatest ever musical compositions.
Tchaikovsky's parents sent him to the School of Jurisprudence when he was 10 years old to prepare him for a career in the civil service. They did not fully realize the extent of their gifted son's talents and felt he needed to be prepared for a stable future. While at the school Tchaikovsky all but dropped his musical studies, but after his graduation in 1859 he took up the study of music once again, taking lessons at the St Petersburg Conservatory. Rediscovering his deep passion for music Tchaikovsky resigned from his civil service job in 1863 to study music at the Conservatory full time.
Free from the constraints of regular employment Tchaikovsky was able to devote himself to his music. With Anton Rubenstein, the director of the conservatory, as his mentor he was able to fully study the conservatory's curriculum. Rubenstein was a contemporary of Franz Liszt and noted for his technical excellence.
Tchaikovsky's music became widely known and well regarded between 1875 and 1892. Noted for its melodic qualities Tchaikovsky is perhaps best known for his compositions for classical ballet. During this time Tchaikovsky wrote his ballet masterpiece's Swan Lake in 1876, Sleeping Beauty in 1889 and The Nutcracker in 1892. Tchaikovsky's personal life was more troubled however and at one point he entered into an ill-fated 9-week marriage.
Tchaikovsky never got over the loss of his mother and suffered much emotional turmoil throughout his life. Although his private life was troubled he continued to enjoy great success professionally and travelled to many places. In 1891 he toured America conducting his works but conducting was never something he felt comfortable doing. Pathetique, Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony received its premiere in October 1893 but was initially met with a lukewarm reception. Eventually the piece received much greater acclaim.
Tchaikovsky died on November 6th 1893 in St Petersburg it is believed he contracted cholera after drinking water that was contaminated. His death came just one week after the premiere of Pathetique and Tchaikovsky would never know that his symphony would go on to be regarded as one of his greatest ever musical compositions.
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