Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Russian composer, conductor, teacher, public figure in music, music journalist. It is considered one of the greatest composers in the history of music. Author of more than 80 works, including ten operas and three ballets. 

Tchaikovsky was born to a mining engineer in 1840. Father's ancestors came from the Ukrainian Cossacks. Musical ability appeared in five years, he began to play the piano. In 1850-1859 by their parents Tchaikovsky studied at the Law School. 

In 1866, Tchaikovsky was invited for the post of Professor in the opening Moscow Conservatory. Actively participating in the musical life of Moscow Tchaikovsky performed regularly in the press as a music critic. 

In the late 1870s, leaving the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and goes abroad. In the mid- 1880 he returned to active musical and social activities in Russia. In 1885 he was elected a director of the Moscow branch of the Russian Musical Society. 

Personal life of the composer did not develop. In 1877 he married Milyukovoy, but the marriage was extremely unhappy. In 1878 he escaped from Russia and within a few years of living abroad. Years of living in Moscow were the heyday of talent. 

In the name of Tchaikovsky called Moscow and Kiev Conservatory, Concert Hall in Moscow. In 1958 in Moscow, held every 4 years International Tchaikovsky Competition. 

Tchaikovsky left a vast legacy in almost all musical genres. And to this day it remains the most frequently performed and the world famous Russian composer. 

Tchaikovsky's death found in the height of his power and fame: a composer caught cholera a few days after he conducted the premiere of the Sixth Symphony in St. Petersburg (premiere on October 16, the onset of disease, October 21). He died 4 days later, on October 25, 1893.