Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is one of the most praised composers of Russia and perhaps of all time. During his life, Tchaikovsky created many notable works. He created ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and most famously The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky also was responsible for Operas like Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades. Tchaikovsky even wrote the Coronation March for Tsar Alexander III. The reason for this essay is to shine light to one of the most famous Russian composers to ever exist. Many people know the works of Tchaikovsky, but have no idea who is responsible for them. Tchaikovsky was one of the most influential Russian composers because of the works he created, his construction of Russian classical music, and the challenges he faced during his life. Tchaikovsky was born in a small town in Russia called Votkinsk. He began playing piano at the age of five and became fluent in his ability to read sheet music not long after. At first, his parents praised his abilities, but then directed him towards higher education away from music. The only path for musicians in Russia at the time was to become a teacher and that was not deemed high enough on the social status for Tchaikovsky’s parents. So, he began his journey to become a civil servant. During this time in boarding school, he would make his first attempts at composition including an opera, a piano waltz, and his first published work “Mezza Notte” (Kearney 7). After school, Tchaikovsky began his short career as a civil servant. Not long after, the St. Petersburg Conservatory was opened and its goal was to offer professional music education in Russia. Tchaikovsky was one of the first students to enroll. Shortly after, he would resign his position as a civil servant and continue to pursue music full time. During his short life, Tchaikovsky would produce some of the most recognizable pieces of all time.
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His career started before he even made it to the St. Petersburg Conservatory, but due to the time-period, a lot of those works are lost. He hit the ground running when he decided to study music full time and completed over twenty concert pieces in just two years. After his schooling, Tchaikovsky would begin working on his early operas and other compositions. The manuscripts from some of his original pieces were destroyed because of how unhappy he was with them. However, he would recycle some of the material for his later works. A lot of Tchaikovsky’s work was not originally well received. Swan Lake debuted in 1875 and was deemed a failure, but now is one of the most praised ballets. Swan Lake is part of Tchaikovsky’s trilogy of ballets that include The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky would also create famed operas such as Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades. Despite the criticism, Tchaikovsky received praise for his controversial work from some great minds. It is said that Leo Tolstoy arranged Tchaikovsky to perform for him and it brought Tolstoy to tears (Volkov 176). Tchaikovsky was even ordered to write the Festival Coronation March for Tsar Alexander III. It is hard to believe that Tchaikovsky’s work could be considered controversial, but many folks thought so. Tchaikovsky did not feel as though Russia had classical music that distinctly represented his people. The classical music at the time was a template that most European composers followed. Tchaikovsky wanted to create a genre of music with Western influence, but that specifically had a Russian feel. There was a group of five composers who were referred to as “The Five”. These were Russian composers who also wanted to find classical music that represented Russia. They opposed Tchaikovsky’s idea of a Western influence because they believed it was not truly Russian. Tchaikovsky remained well-mannered during the scrutiny that their leader, Mily Balakirev, put him through. On several occasions, Balakirev attacked Tchaikovsky and the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Ultimately, Tchaikovsky’s work would be the one to be the most remembered. Throughout his life, Tchaikovsky not only dealt with criticism of his work, but also a crippling depression. Tchaikovsky is now known to be homosexual, but Russia at the time did not want to divulge such things.
His career started before he even made it to the St. Petersburg Conservatory, but due to the time-period, a lot of those works are lost. He hit the ground running when he decided to study music full time and completed over twenty concert pieces in just two years. After his schooling, Tchaikovsky would begin working on his early operas and other compositions. The manuscripts from some of his original pieces were destroyed because of how unhappy he was with them. However, he would recycle some of the material for his later works. A lot of Tchaikovsky’s work was not originally well received. Swan Lake debuted in 1875 and was deemed a failure, but now is one of the most praised ballets. Swan Lake is part of Tchaikovsky’s trilogy of ballets that include The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky would also create famed operas such as Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades. Despite the criticism, Tchaikovsky received praise for his controversial work from some great minds. It is said that Leo Tolstoy arranged Tchaikovsky to perform for him and it brought Tolstoy to tears (Volkov 176). Tchaikovsky was even ordered to write the Festival Coronation March for Tsar Alexander III. It is hard to believe that Tchaikovsky’s work could be considered controversial, but many folks thought so. Tchaikovsky did not feel as though Russia had classical music that distinctly represented his people. The classical music at the time was a template that most European composers followed. Tchaikovsky wanted to create a genre of music with Western influence, but that specifically had a Russian feel. There was a group of five composers who were referred to as “The Five”. These were Russian composers who also wanted to find classical music that represented Russia. They opposed Tchaikovsky’s idea of a Western influence because they believed it was not truly Russian. Tchaikovsky remained well-mannered during the scrutiny that their leader, Mily Balakirev, put him through. On several occasions, Balakirev attacked Tchaikovsky and the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Ultimately, Tchaikovsky’s work would be the one to be the most remembered. Throughout his life, Tchaikovsky not only dealt with criticism of his work, but also a crippling depression. Tchaikovsky is now known to be homosexual, but Russia at the time did not want to divulge such things.