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Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Introduction
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who was born in 1840, was a famous Russian composer from
the Romantic era of music. He is considered the greatest Russian composer of his time.
Tchaikovsky grew up in a family that was both upper class and non-musical. Tchaikovsky
became the first Russian composer to personally acquaint foreign audiences with his own
works, as well as those of other Russian composers. He incorporated both Western European
and Russian elements into his musical compositions. Tchaikovsky was honored by the Tsar, and
was awarded a lifetime pension in the concert halls of the world. He passed away at the age of
53, in the year 1893.
Background
Tchaikovsky was born in a small province, known as Votkinsk in Russia. He began to
show interest in music at a very young age. He began to take his first piano lessons at the age of
five. When Tchaikovsky was 10, his family moved to St. Petersburg where he would eventually

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receive his musical training. When he was about 19, he left his government job to pursue his
dream of becoming a musician. He began serious composition under Anton Rubinstein, the
founder of St. Petersburg Conservatory. Tchaikovsky graduated from school, in 1865 and won a
gold medal for a cantata based on a German subject known as Schiller’s Hymn to Joy. “His early
works included overtures, string quartets, and a programmatic symphony, all which would one
day mark his later achievements” (Charlton, Hickok 197). Some examples of these works were
his symphonies, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky was a highly productive
composer even though he had an increasing tendency toward depression.
Contributions
Many of his most famous works, such as “His Fourth and Fifth Symphonies and his
ballets, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty were performed all over Europe” (Charlton, Hickok
198). These two ballets have never been surpassed for their melodic sound and instrumental
brilliance. Some of his works such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty are
among the most popular works in the concert world today. His music has inspired many people
and has gone from live performances to being used or referenced in movies.
Influences
Tchaikovsky had several musical influences and instructors throughout his life. During
his teenage years he was taught by Rudolph Kündinger, a professional teacher. He was also
influenced by an Italian singing teacher named Luigi Piccioli. He was a student at the Russian
Musical Society and St. Petersburg Conservatory. Among his teachers there were Nikolay
Zaremba and Anton Rubinstein. One of his operas was inspired by Pushkin’s verse novel,
Evgenij Onegin. During his earlier years as a composer, Tchaikovsky was fortunate enough to

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have the support of a benefactress, by the name of Nadezhda von Meck. It was through her
financial support that Tchaikovsky was able to dedicate his time to writing music. Later on in his
career, when she withdrew her financial support, Tchaikovsky was already well established as a
composer and was able to support himself financially and continue to compose.
Conclusion
Tchaikovsky will always be a composer who will live on for the rest of time through his
music. He will be a great influence to many composers and will help encourage others to be
more interested in classical music. Tchaikovsky will continue to help modern society realize that
music of the past is a key for composers of the future. Tchaikovsky's music was marked by its
sound that helped him to create some of the world's greatest ballet music.