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'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840-1893), often referred to as '''Peter Tchaikovsky''', [[Russia]]n composer and pianist, is one of the most well-known - and considered to be one of the most “romantic” - of all classical composers – the archetype of the “tortured soul.”

'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840-1893), often referred to as '''Peter Tchaikovsky''', [[Russia]]n composer and pianist, is one of the most well-known - and considered to be one of the most “romantic” - of all classical composers – the archetype of the “tortured soul.”

He began piano lessons at age five, and was said to show “remarkable gifts” though plagued by “abnormal sensitivity”.<ref>Grove Dictionary of Music</ref> He was entered in the School of Jurisprudence at [[St. Petersburg]] when ten; and spent the next 13 years in non-musical study and as a civil servant; before deciding that his course in life would be music and took up studies at the [[St. Petersburg]] Conservatory under [[Anton Rubenstein]]. His music was slow to gain acceptance amongst both the conservative musical establishment and the nationalist group of composers (“the Five”) but his First [[Symphony]] found favour with the public, and the ''“Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture”'', written (and reworked more than once) at the suggestion of [[Balakirev]], was a success.  

He began piano lessons at age five, and was said to show “remarkable gifts” though plagued by “abnormal sensitivity”.<ref>Grove Dictionary of Music</ref> He was entered in the School of Jurisprudence at [[St. Petersburg]] when ten; and spent the next 13 years in non-musical study and as a civil servant; before deciding that his course in life would be music and took up studies at the [[St. Petersburg]] Conservatory under Anton Rubenstein. His music was slow to gain acceptance amongst both the conservative musical establishment and the nationalist group of composers (“the Five”) but his First [[Symphony]] found favour with the public, and the ''“Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture”'', written (and reworked more than once) at the suggestion of [[Balakirev]], was a success.  

Tchaikovsky’s was the first music from a Russian composer to become popular outside Russia, and it has remained so to this day. His melodic line and orchestral drama overlaid with deep emotional expression can capture those who normally would not be interested in art music. Many of his more popular works are program pieces – the three great ballets, the ''“Romeo and Juliet”'' tone poem mentioned above, two of his operas, the ''“1812 Overture”'' – however his last three symphonies, the ''First Piano Concerto'', and the ''Violin Concerto'' are all mainstays of the orchestral repertoire, and in the top handful of their respective genres.

Tchaikovsky’s was the first music from a Russian composer to become popular outside Russia, and it has remained so to this day. His melodic line and orchestral drama overlaid with deep emotional expression can capture those who normally would not be interested in art music. Many of his more popular works are program pieces – the three great ballets, the ''“Romeo and Juliet”'' tone poem mentioned above, two of his operas, the ''“1812 Overture”'' – however his last three symphonies, the ''First Piano Concerto'', and the ''Violin Concerto'' are all mainstays of the orchestral repertoire, and in the top handful of their respective genres.