Tchaikovsky versus Chopin
Tchaikovsky and Chopin were two of the most influential and ingenious composers of the Romantic era which stretched from 1850 – 1920. While of the same time period and similar in melodic mood, Tchaikovsky and Chopin each have their own distinct musical style. And though both men are considered Romantic composers, their lives only just overlapped with Frédéric-François Chopin being born in Poland in 1810 and Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky in Russia in 1840.
Frédéric-François Chopin was from a middle class, Polish family while Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky was born into a wealthy, Russian family of five brothers and one sister. Both composers were recognized as prodigies and given music lessons from an early age. Both boys also quickly surpassed the abilities of their teachers. Chopin received several years of private lessons from Józef Elsner before attending the High School of Music in 1826. However, the majority of Chopin’s extraordinary keyboard ability was self taught and by the age of 20, he performed the F minor Concerto to a crowd of 900 (Green).
While Chopin persisted in his musical education, Tchaikovsky gave
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Tchaikovsky died 6 November 1893 in St. Petersburg, Russia (Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky). The last piece written by Tchaikovsky was the Pathétique Symphony. It is said he wrote this symphony as an autobiography of his life, loves, and losses. The intense emotion exuded in the piece only confirms this theory. The music is tangible and moving as it illicits feelings of uncontained joy, outstanding triumph, and inexplicable loss. It is one of the truest statements of music ever composed. For Fredric Chopin and Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky these distinct expressions of the soul which were consequently affected by upbringing, influences, innovations, and era, transformed their music into masterpieces still appreciated