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 initially supported the furthering of his musical talents, however not realizing the extent of his ability it was eventually decided that he would be better off studying for a more stable career in the civil service. He was sent to the School of Jurisprudence at the age of 10 and did not study music seriously for quite some time while attending the school. After his graduation in 1859 he returned to the study of music and began taking lessons at the St Petersburg Conservatory. In 1863 he resigned from his job with the civil service so that he could study music 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 began to complete several notable compositions between 1865 and 1892 and on October 25th 1875 his third symphony premiered in Boston. His works were notable for their melodic qualities and Tchaikovsky is considered to be the master composer for classical ballet. During this time he composed some of his most well loved works - Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. As his reputation as a composer began to grow in Europe he entered into an ill-fated marriage that only lasted for 9 weeks.
Tchaikovsky continued to enjoy great success and traveled to many places but another ill-fated romance plagued him and his private life was somewhat troubled. Tchaikovsky fled to America in 1891 where he spent some time touring and conducting before making a return to Russia. His Sixth Symphony, Pathetique, was first aired in October 1893 but was poorly received this was thought to be down to the fact that Tchaikovsky himself was conducting - something he was never comfortable with doing - the symphony eventually received much greater success.
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. - 40732
Tchaikovsky's parents initially supported the furthering of his musical talents, however not realizing the extent of his ability it was eventually decided that he would be better off studying for a more stable career in the civil service. He was sent to the School of Jurisprudence at the age of 10 and did not study music seriously for quite some time while attending the school. After his graduation in 1859 he returned to the study of music and began taking lessons at the St Petersburg Conservatory. In 1863 he resigned from his job with the civil service so that he could study music 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 began to complete several notable compositions between 1865 and 1892 and on October 25th 1875 his third symphony premiered in Boston. His works were notable for their melodic qualities and Tchaikovsky is considered to be the master composer for classical ballet. During this time he composed some of his most well loved works - Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. As his reputation as a composer began to grow in Europe he entered into an ill-fated marriage that only lasted for 9 weeks.
Tchaikovsky continued to enjoy great success and traveled to many places but another ill-fated romance plagued him and his private life was somewhat troubled. Tchaikovsky fled to America in 1891 where he spent some time touring and conducting before making a return to Russia. His Sixth Symphony, Pathetique, was first aired in October 1893 but was poorly received this was thought to be down to the fact that Tchaikovsky himself was conducting - something he was never comfortable with doing - the symphony eventually received much greater success.
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. - 40732
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