Pyotr Illyick Tchaikovsky: Russian Composer Of The Romantic Era

Pyotr Illyick Tchaikovsky, a Russian composer of the Romantic Era, is considered one of the greatest composers of all time and was an interesting person. He was born in Russia in 1840 and was considered a national treasure during his lifetime. Tchaikovsky is considered the first full-time professional Russian composer and was famous worldwide. His music is very popular today. He wrote the scores for three of the most famous ballets of all time: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty. The Nutcracker is performed every Christmas in cities all over the world. Tchaikovsky published 74 pieces of music while alive and six pieces were published after his death. He was a very sensitive person who had depression, but as a result his music was strong and emotional and people reacted to it.

He began piano lessons at five and quickly read music as well as his teachers. When he was 14, he attempted to write a composition for a waltz in memory of his mother, who had died. Although his parents had planned for him to be a civil servant, he was lucky enough to attend St. Petersburg Conservancy where he learned not only Russian music theory and composition, but also western music theory and composition. This allowed him to be influenced by Russian and European styles of music, which was in contrast to most Russian composers of the time who concentrated on the Russian music style. This made him popular outside of Russia and is believed to be one reason his music has endured. After he graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservancy he was asked to be a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, and he agreed. He composed during his time there and was able to travel outside Russia, which also influenced his