It has been reported that he died because of cholera; probably a result of drinking unboiled water. However, there are other sources that said that he had actually killed himself. Though the nature of his death was undetermined, still the most important part would be having all nations rejoice that Rudolf Kundinger, posted as his respected piano teacher had never succeeded in dissuading him from a musical career. Destined to be a great musician, his compositions and music have until now, heard all over the world; being honoured, respected, choreographed and appreciated.
In this respective day, 7th May, 1840, this well-known composer was brought to the world. Born as the second eldest of six children in Kamsko-Votkinsk, he could read French and German at the age of six and started a piano lesson as well as writing verses in French at the age of seven.
After attending the St. Petersburg School of Jurisprudence in 1850, he then became a clerk in the Ministry of Justice. Before transferring to the newly opened St. Petersburg Conservatory, he studied with Nicolai Zaremba and after a year left his job in the ministry to study full time at the Conservatory. There, he studied everything including conducting from Anton Rubenstein whom shown interest in his talent. However, this man had his own fear when conducting the orchestra. Overwhelmed of the fear of having his head unattached, he normally would have his left hand under his chin as prevention.
After four years, he graduated and carried on and taught at the Moscow Conservatory, a place where he got his inspiration to begin composing. His first few compositions included his First Symphony and the opera Voyevoda. In 1868, inspired by the encounter with the Five (Famous group of young Russian composers), he wrote his Second Symphony. Not long after that, he wrote another few operas featuring the well-known Romeo and Juliet (Fantasy Overture) and The Tempest.
The changes of his single status to wedded started in 1877 when Antonina Milyokova, a student of his declared her love to him and even threatened to commit suicide if he rejected her. His feeling of lost and unable to voice out his rejection was expressed through his composition of Eugene Onegin. Gradually, they got married. However, their marriage did not last long. After a catastrophic nine weeks together, they separated. Facing the storm of a lifetime, he attempted to drown himself yet was saved by his brother, Modeste. Having suffered a nervous breakdown, he moved to Switzerland and later to Italy to recover. Yet, responsible as he was, he supported Antonina financially until his last breath. By the way, after having lovers after lovers in her whole life, Antonina finally died in an asylum in 1915.
In building himself up again from his great turning point, he came under the patronage of Madame Nadezhda von Meck who gave him a yearly allowance permitting him to give up teaching and focus wholly on composing. Though they never met each other, their relationship was extensive and frank. Due to Madame von Meck’s generosity, he wrote his Fourth Symphony as dedication to her.
By this time, he was quite well known in Russia, Britain and United States. He wrote Manfred in where he lived in Klin within virtual isolation while two years later; he brought tours to German, France, and England as conductor. After The Sleeping Beauty was produced, he carried on working on his next opera The Queen of Spades which was later produced in St. Petersburg the following year. Unfortunately, due to illness or pressure from family, Madame von Meck ended her sponsorship on him. Accordingly, he lost his self esteem which seemed not to recover. Yet, life needed to go on. His tour to the United States in 1891 was a success. After his appearance in the opening of the music Hall (renamed Carnegie Hall) that year, he had a premiere of The Nutcracker in the following year. Equal to his amazing gifted talent, he received an honorary doctorate of music from the University of Cambridge. His Sixth Symphony which was started in 1891 was finally completed this year too. Though he personally believed it to be his best work, the critics happened to think the opposite way. Sadly, after a few days, he put out his last breath.
This man had raised the status of ballet music from its previously unknown status. This man though had been experiencing break downs in all aspects of his life, was able to put his unhappiness, disappointments and despair aside and came up with one of the brightest music ever; The Nutcracker. Finally, being widely known best by his composition on the world’s most well-regarded ballet; Swan Lake, this man is no one else but one of the most gifted and talented composers through out all ages, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
In this respective day, 7th May, 1840, this well-known composer was brought to the world. Born as the second eldest of six children in Kamsko-Votkinsk, he could read French and German at the age of six and started a piano lesson as well as writing verses in French at the age of seven.
After attending the St. Petersburg School of Jurisprudence in 1850, he then became a clerk in the Ministry of Justice. Before transferring to the newly opened St. Petersburg Conservatory, he studied with Nicolai Zaremba and after a year left his job in the ministry to study full time at the Conservatory. There, he studied everything including conducting from Anton Rubenstein whom shown interest in his talent. However, this man had his own fear when conducting the orchestra. Overwhelmed of the fear of having his head unattached, he normally would have his left hand under his chin as prevention.
After four years, he graduated and carried on and taught at the Moscow Conservatory, a place where he got his inspiration to begin composing. His first few compositions included his First Symphony and the opera Voyevoda. In 1868, inspired by the encounter with the Five (Famous group of young Russian composers), he wrote his Second Symphony. Not long after that, he wrote another few operas featuring the well-known Romeo and Juliet (Fantasy Overture) and The Tempest.
The changes of his single status to wedded started in 1877 when Antonina Milyokova, a student of his declared her love to him and even threatened to commit suicide if he rejected her. His feeling of lost and unable to voice out his rejection was expressed through his composition of Eugene Onegin. Gradually, they got married. However, their marriage did not last long. After a catastrophic nine weeks together, they separated. Facing the storm of a lifetime, he attempted to drown himself yet was saved by his brother, Modeste. Having suffered a nervous breakdown, he moved to Switzerland and later to Italy to recover. Yet, responsible as he was, he supported Antonina financially until his last breath. By the way, after having lovers after lovers in her whole life, Antonina finally died in an asylum in 1915.
In building himself up again from his great turning point, he came under the patronage of Madame Nadezhda von Meck who gave him a yearly allowance permitting him to give up teaching and focus wholly on composing. Though they never met each other, their relationship was extensive and frank. Due to Madame von Meck’s generosity, he wrote his Fourth Symphony as dedication to her.
By this time, he was quite well known in Russia, Britain and United States. He wrote Manfred in where he lived in Klin within virtual isolation while two years later; he brought tours to German, France, and England as conductor. After The Sleeping Beauty was produced, he carried on working on his next opera The Queen of Spades which was later produced in St. Petersburg the following year. Unfortunately, due to illness or pressure from family, Madame von Meck ended her sponsorship on him. Accordingly, he lost his self esteem which seemed not to recover. Yet, life needed to go on. His tour to the United States in 1891 was a success. After his appearance in the opening of the music Hall (renamed Carnegie Hall) that year, he had a premiere of The Nutcracker in the following year. Equal to his amazing gifted talent, he received an honorary doctorate of music from the University of Cambridge. His Sixth Symphony which was started in 1891 was finally completed this year too. Though he personally believed it to be his best work, the critics happened to think the opposite way. Sadly, after a few days, he put out his last breath.
This man had raised the status of ballet music from its previously unknown status. This man though had been experiencing break downs in all aspects of his life, was able to put his unhappiness, disappointments and despair aside and came up with one of the brightest music ever; The Nutcracker. Finally, being widely known best by his composition on the world’s most well-regarded ballet; Swan Lake, this man is no one else but one of the most gifted and talented composers through out all ages, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
-Tress-
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