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Comparison Of Ilyich Tchaikovsky 's ' Pyotr Tchaikovsky ' And ' Symphonies With A Few Concertos '

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Pyotr (Peter) Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer from the Romantic period whose works included ballets, operas, and symphonies with a few concertos (Poznansky). Like many stars of today, not only was his work scrutinized under the public eye but so also was his private life. As he struggled to bring fame to his name through his music, he later would struggle to hide his sexual affairs, which may have played a part in his death.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born May 7, 1840, in Kamsko-votkinsk, Russia. He was born to Ilya Petrovich Tchaikovsky and Alexandra Andreyevna d 'Assier and was the second child of six. From an early age Pyotr Tchaikovsky could remember complex melodies, but could not study music because of his governess, …show more content…

He was then offered lodging and support for five years if he agreed to serve as a professor at the Moscow Conservatory (Harmon). He worked there until he decided to resign due to rumors of his sexuality. He was able to do so because of his benefactress, Madame von Meck. Because Madame von Meck was such a wealthy investor, Tchaikovsky was able to devote himself to composition and travel freely, but only under the condition that they never meet (Taruskin). He wrote his 4th symphony dedicated to Von Meck, which he was able to conduct without fear. Before, he feared that he would lose his head while conducting and would often use his left hand to hold his head in place. His first official commission was for writing the overture for the marriage of Tsarevich Alexander and Princess Dagmar of Denmark. This was the kick-start to Tchaikovsky 's career. (Harmon) Tchaikovsky began composing music while he was still a student under Rubinstein. His first piece was "the Anastasia Valse". His first official opera was completed in 1864, called, "The Storm", which was admittedly torn to shreds by his professor. Tchaikovsky 's symphonies have "no trace of development, but a succession of repetitions and a sequence of climatic runs” (Harmon). The symphonies are also described as "purely romantic", (Abraham). Tchaikovsky stated that he stuck to the outline, but manipulated the details freely and that it was difficult for him to grasp the form of symphony. He

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