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'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840-1893), often referred to as '''Peter Tchaikovsky''', [[Russia]]n composer and pianist, is one of the best-known, and considered to be one of the most “[[romanticism|romantic]]”, of all classical composers – the archetype of the “tortured soul.”  He greatly admired orthodox [[Christianity]] and composed the spectacular Liturgy of St. John Chrysostomos.  He is compared with and once met [[Fyodor Dostoevsky]].

'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840-1893), often referred to as '''Peter Tchaikovsky''', [[Russia]]n composer and pianist, is one of the best-known, and considered to be one of the most “[[romanticism|romantic]]”, of all classical composers – the archetype of the “tortured soul.”  He greatly admired orthodox [[Christianity]] and composed the spectacular Liturgy of St. John Chrysostomos.  He is compared with and once met [[Fyodor Dostoevsky]].

Tchiakovsky's immensely popular ''1812 Overture'' is commonly played in part at [[American]] fireworks performance on [[Independence Day]].  His other popular works include his musical scores for ''The Nutcracker'', ''Swan Lake'', and ''The Sleeping Beauty''.

Tchiakovsky's immensely popular ''1812 Overture'' is commonly played in part at [[American]] fireworks performance on [[United States Independence Day|Independence Day]].  His other popular works include his musical scores for ''The Nutcracker'', ''Swan Lake'', and ''The Sleeping Beauty''.

By way of background, Tchiakovsky 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 favor with the public, and the ''Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture'', written (and reworked more than once) at the suggestion of Balakirev, was a success.  

By way of background, Tchiakovsky 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 favor with the public, and the ''Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture'', written (and reworked more than once) at the suggestion of Balakirev, was a success.