Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Composer

Birthday May 7, 1840

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace Votkinsk, Russia

DEATH DATE Nov 6, 1893 (53)

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About

Famous for composing "The Nutcracker" ballet, as well as numerous symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and chamber-music pieces, he's remembered as one of classical music's most popular composers.

Before Fame

He began taking piano lessons when he was five and was able to read music at the same level as his first piano teacher in only three years.

Trivia

He destroyed his first two operas, 1869's "The Voyevoda" and 1870's "Undina," because he was dissatisfied with the results. His 1874 opera, "The Oprichnik," was the first to survive the artist's creative wrath.

Family Life

He married former student Antonina Ivanovna Milyukova on July 6, 1877, but had the marriage annulled in September 1877 after discovering that they were psychologically and sexually incompatible.

Associated With

He was mentored by Anton Rubinstein at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, who considered him a genius but disliked his progressive techniques.

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