Classical Music: Tchaikovsky
I was uploading some music to my computer earlier, and one of the Cd's was Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture...the band geek in me rejoiced and I ended up listening to this powerful music performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
As I was listening, I became curious about the man behind the music...I have always been envious of those who have such passion and ability to create a masterpiece that can be enjoyed by millions for an untold number of years...luckily for me, I was blessed with the ability to play an instrument, and bring a small part of these creations to life...but only a small part. As a flute/piccolo player, I will always need the might of a band or orchestra behind me to bring out the full effect as the composer intended when he or she first heard it in their head.
All of the biographies tell of a man who had a talent for composing that began at a pre-teen age...although several differ on the exact age. He had a 13 year relationship with Nadejda von Meck who became his mysterious patron in 1876. The couple wrote music together, but never met in person. He married one of his pupils in 1877. The marriage lasted nine weeks and resulted in a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide.
Per one biography and hinted at by several others, Tchaikovsky was afflicted by repressed homosexuality and mounting neurosis. He died in 1893 from cholera after drinking a glass of unboiled tapwater.
Wow!
As I was listening, I became curious about the man behind the music...I have always been envious of those who have such passion and ability to create a masterpiece that can be enjoyed by millions for an untold number of years...luckily for me, I was blessed with the ability to play an instrument, and bring a small part of these creations to life...but only a small part. As a flute/piccolo player, I will always need the might of a band or orchestra behind me to bring out the full effect as the composer intended when he or she first heard it in their head.
All of the biographies tell of a man who had a talent for composing that began at a pre-teen age...although several differ on the exact age. He had a 13 year relationship with Nadejda von Meck who became his mysterious patron in 1876. The couple wrote music together, but never met in person. He married one of his pupils in 1877. The marriage lasted nine weeks and resulted in a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide.
Per one biography and hinted at by several others, Tchaikovsky was afflicted by repressed homosexuality and mounting neurosis. He died in 1893 from cholera after drinking a glass of unboiled tapwater.
Wow!
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