Tchaikovsky: Scene 10 from Swan Lake for French Horn & Piano by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Horn - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.549612

Tchaikovsky is probably the most popular of the great composers in America. His music certainly appeals to musicians. Likewise, it appeals even to folks who don't usually listen to serious music. This is probably because of his most noteworthy melodies. Above all, he writes with great emotion. This certainly makes a most extraordinary, if not an unforgettable, impact.

Education

He attended classes at the Russian Musical Society and participated at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. There, he studied music theory with Nikolai Zaremba. Consequently, he also studied composition with Anton Rubenstein. Rubenstein was criticized by Russian composers known as "the Five."

The Five

The Five indeed rejected Western musical influences. They instead sought to use elements from Russian music. Furthermore, they wanted to use more exotic musical materials.

Western Techniques

More than other Russian composers, Tchaikovsky studied modern Western music. He develops his music like the European masters. So, rather than repeating a motive, he moves to a new key. He then introduces a different theme in the new key. Hence, he maintained his independence from "the Five." Even more, he became the first Russian composer of international stature.

Influences

Tchaikovsky was probably influenced in his ballet scoring by Léo Delibes. Richard Wagner influenced his symphonic writing. Tchaikovsky's most famous works include the 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker Suite, and Swan Lake. Also notable are the Violin Concerto in D and the six symphonies. The greatest of the six symphonies may be No. 6, the "Pathétique."

Swan Lake Op. 20

Tchaikovsky composed Swan Lake in 1875-76. The ballet failed to attract a positive reception. Over time, however, it became one of the most popular of all of Tchaikovsky's works. The ballet was first performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.