Tchaikovsky, P.I.: Seasons (The) / Piano Sonata in C-Sharp Minor

Featuring

Ilya Rashkovskiy
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Composer Biography

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, the composer, initially trained for a career in the Ministry of Justice before pursuing music full-time.

Composer Biography

Tchaikovsky's career as a full-time composer was made possible by financial assistance from Nadezhda von Meck, a rich widow who never met him face to face.

Performer Biography

Ilya Rachkovsky, the pianist on this recording, began performing his own compositions at age six and has won multiple international piano competitions.

Composition History

Tchaikovsky's 'The Seasons' was a 'bread-and-butter project' for the composer, who even instructed his servant to remind him when each piece was due.

Composition History

Tchaikovsky's 'The Seasons' consists of twelve pieces commissioned by Nikolay Bernard, editor of the periodical Nouvelliste, with each piece to appear in a monthly issue.

Compositional Technique

The third movement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Sonata in C sharp minor was later transposed down a semitone and reused as the Scherzo in his Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13.