Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Analysis

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Chai-cough-skii) is “widely considered the most popular Russian composer in history;” some of his most famous works include The Sleeping Beauty (1890) and The Nutcracker (1892), (source 1). Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, in Vyatka, Russia, second eldest of his parents’ six surviving children (Source 1). Tchaikovsky began taking piano lessons at 5 years old where he displayed a passion for music, however, his parents hoped he would grow up to work in the civil service. At 10, he attended a boarding school, and at 14, respected his parents’ wishes by taking a bureau clerk post with the Ministry of Justice; a post he held for four years as his interest for music grew. At 21, Tchaikovsky began taking music lessons at the Russian Musical School, and a few months later enrolled and became one of the first composition students at the newly founded St. Petersburg Conservatory. As well as learning at the conservatory, Tchaikovsky also gave private lessons to other students, which led him to become a professor of
In 1868, Tchaikovsky’s First Symphony was well received when it was publicly performed in Moscow, but, in contrast, his first opera, the Voyevoda, debuted with a much less enthusiastic reaction. Tchaikovsky pitched The Voyevoda, but saved some of it’s music to be used in his next work; an opera named Oprichnik. 1874 was a big year for Tchaikovsky and his work: Oprichnik took stage, earning some acclamation; his Second Symphony was performed and produced him praise; his opera, Vakula the Smith, played, receiving both harsh and critical reviews, but Tchaikovsky kept his head up and managed to establish himself as a talented composer. His Piano Concerto No.1 in B-flat Minor, was yet another much-admired instrumental