Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

1840-1893Copyright © 2005 - Frankel Consulting Services, Inc.

The Tchaikovsky Family

The Tchaikovsky Family Tree

Tchaikovsky’s LifeBorn on May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, RussiaHe had four brothers and one sisterHis father Ilya had three wivesHe first studied law in his youth, and became a law clerk in St. PetersburgIn his twenties, he rebelled and began to study music at the conservatory in St. Petersburg

He was a big fan of MozartHe studied composition with Anton RubinsteinIn 1866 he moved to Moscow to begin teaching at the new conservatory thereHe was horrible when he began composingHe married Antonina Ivanovana Milyukoff on July 6, 1877

The marriage was a disaster - it lasted a monthHe had a benefactor named Nadezhda von Meck - she loved his music

He came to New York in 1891 and conducted his works at Carnegie HallHe experienced a great deal of fame in the last 10 years of his lifeOn November 6, 1893, Tchaikovsky died from drinking a glass of unfiltered water from which he got choleraHe is buried in St. Petersburg

Famous Compositions

Swan LakeSleeping BeautyThe NutcrackerRomeo & Juliet1812 OvertureSymphony No. 2Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique”Piano Concerto No. 1

His Musical MarkHe was the master of the balletHis melodies are very hauntingHe used a great deal of folk music in his symphonic worksHis music is known for being both too beautiful and too depressingTchaikovsky’s life was filled with turmoil and so was his music

Tchaikovsky’s Manuscripts

There are very few surviving manuscripts

written by Tchaikovsky. He was

very critical of his own work, and very

often burned his scores.

And now…Swan Lake

Describe how the music, ballet & story fit together