Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Born:
- May 7, 1840 (O.S. April 25, 1840), Votkinsk, Vyatka Governorate, Russian Empire
- Died:
- November 6, 1893 (O.S. October 25, 1893), Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
- Nationality:
- Russian
- Profession(s):
- Composer, Conductor, Teacher
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family with aristocratic roots.
- Initially trained for a career in the civil service.
- Began formal music studies at the age of 21 at the Russian Musical Society (later the Saint Petersburg Conservatory).
- Studied composition under Anton Rubinstein.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed professor of harmony at the Moscow Conservatory in 1866.
- Resigned from the Moscow Conservatory in 1878 to focus solely on composition, supported by a subsidy from Nadezhda von Meck.
- Toured extensively as a conductor, gaining international recognition.
- Composed works across various genres, including ballet, opera, symphony, and concertos.
- His works were often initially met with mixed reviews, but subsequently became staples of the classical repertoire.
- His personal life was often turbulent and complicated.
Notable Works
- Ballets: Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker
- Operas: Eugene Onegin, The Queen of Spades
- Symphonies: Symphony No. 4, Symphony No. 5, Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)
- Concertos: Piano Concerto No. 1, Violin Concerto
Legacy and Impact
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is one of the most popular and influential composers of the Romantic era. His melodies are instantly recognizable, and his works continue to be performed and enjoyed worldwide. Exploring topics like "tchaikovsky biography summary worksheet answers" reveals the continued importance of his life and art in music education.