None But the Lonely Heart and Other Songs for High Voice

by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

One of the most expressive and versatile of the great nineteenth-century Romantic composers, Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky brought a sense of intimacy and emotional power to all of his music — whether for orchestra, opera, ballet, or art song. Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians remarks on the characteristic charm of Tchaikovsky's songs, noting their "penetrating sweetness and sadness" as well as their "vocal excellence."
In addition to the celebrated title work, this collection presents a rich selection of 40 enchanting melodies, including Don Juan's Serenade, Mignon's Song, Night of Stars, Serenade, Song of the Gipsy Girl, and other exquisite pieces for voice and piano. Featured texts by Goethe, Heine, Tolstoy, and other great poets appear in English and either German or French.

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2000

About the author

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Петр Ильич Чайковский) was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. While not part of the nationalistic music group known as "The Five", Tchaikovsky wrote music which was distinctly Russian: plangent, introspective, with modally-inflected melody and harmony.

Tchaikovsky considered himself a professional composer. He felt his professionalism in combining skill and high standards in his musical works separated him from his colleagues in "The Five." He shared several of their ideals, including an emphasis on national character in music. His aim, however, was linking those ideals with a professional standard high enough to satisfy European criteria. His professionalism also fueled his desire to reach a broad public, not just nationally but internationally, which he would eventually do.