…Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840 -1893)
Peotr
As A Child
Peotr
Ilich Tchaikovsky was born May 7, 1840 in Votkinsk, Russia. He started taking
piano lessons at age 5, but he was not encouraged to apply his natural musical
talent as a child. It wasn't until he was 21 that he started studying music
seriously. Two years later he quit his job as a clerk in the ministry of
justice to pursue a full time musical career.
Tchaikovsky
was a musical genius, a national hero, and a known homosexual.
The
Marriage of Tchaikovsky
Throughout
his life Tchaikovsky tried to conceal his homosexuality, although it was one of
the world's worst kept secrets.
Tchaikovsky letter to his brother.
In
an attempt to conceal and repress his homosexuality, Tchaikovsky married
Antonina Milyukova in 1877. The wedding was immediately followed by a failed
attempt at suicide. He walked into the Moska River in hope of contracting
pneumonia. The marriage ended within a year.
The
True Loves of Tchaikovsky
The
survival of the brilliant composer is credited to the financial support of
Nadezhda von Meck. Mme. von Meck never met Tchaikovsky but was so impressed by
his work that she supported him for 12 years. Without explanation, the support
was withdrawn by the wealthy, eccentric widow in 1890.
Tchaikovsky
had a fling with a student named Vladimir Shilovsky. Toward the end of his
life, he became infatuated with his nephew, Bobyk Davydov. He dedicated his
Sixth Symphony, the Pathetique, to Bobyk.
His
following of male admirers at the musical conservatory where he taught was
known as the "Fourth Suite."
Sugar
Plum Fairies
Tchaikovsky
is recognized as one of Russia's greatest composers. His world famous works
include ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo
and Juliet. He is credited with re-popularizing full length ballet. Tchaikovsky
composed many famous concertos and symphonies including the 1812 Overture .
Tchaikovsky
was decorated by the Tsar, toured the world, took part in the inaugural
ceremonies at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and elected to the prestigious
Academie Francaise in France.
The
Death of Tchaikovsky
On
November 6, 1893 died in St. Petersburg. There are several opinions on the
cause of his death. The official version states that he died of cholera after
drinking a glass of unboiled water. Another theory is that he was forced to
take arsenic to preserve his school's good name when it was apparent that his
homosexuality was about to become a scandal.
His
funeral at St. Petersburg's Kazan Cathedral drew 8,000 mourners, and thousands
more lined the route to the cemetery.
Learn
More About Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
- Visit the Tchaikovsky entry
on the Classical
Music Page .
- See a production of The
Nutcracker or one his other works.
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