Letters to his family: An autobiography

by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Galina von Meck (Translator), Percy Marshall Young (Translator)

Book by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky

Genres: Music, Biography, History, Nonfiction, Russia

577 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

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.

Reviews

[Wayne]

My third lecture in my short course on Art in Imperial Russia
features Tchaikovsky.
I LOVE TCHAIKOVSKY...and his Music.
So no effort to tack this onto my Reading List.
I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!