[Tchaikovsky] Pick up famous and representative pieces!
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a towering composer who represents Romantic-era Russia.
From ballet music such as Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty to works like the Piano Concerto No.
1 and several symphonies, he created numerous masterpieces that continue to be loved to this day.
Tchaikovsky’s music conveys richly colored, delicate melodies and a brilliant, dramatic musicality.
In this article, we introduce Tchaikovsky’s celebrated and representative works.
We’ve selected pieces ranging from famous tunes to lesser-known gems worthy of being called masterpieces—be sure to check them out!
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[Tchaikovsky] A selection of famous and representative works (31–40)
Waltz from Act I of Swan LakePyotr Tchaikovsky
The “chaan-chararara~” part from Act II, ‘Scene,’ is extremely famous, and while that piece is indeed melancholy, the waltz from Act I—being a ballet piece, of course—is also elegant.
Yet the music is so beautiful that it becomes moving and even brings tears to your eyes in places.
The ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ from The Nutcracker is also a beautiful piece, but Swan Lake has a more grand, majestic feeling.
“Chinese Dance” from The Nutcracker ballet musicPyotr Tchaikovsky
In The Nutcracker, the “Tea” Fairy’s “Chinese Dance” is an adorable piece, featuring twirls performed with an index finger held upright.
The flute’s melody is charming, and the pizzicato in the strings (plucking the strings with the fingers) adds a nice accent.
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35Pyotr Tchaikovsky
At today’s concert, this is probably the most frequently performed violin concerto.
It is one of the “Big Four” concertos, and beyond its technical difficulty, it combines brilliant, richly expressive melodies, making it a highly accomplished work.
Slavonic MarchPyotr Tchaikovsky
Amateur orchestras often perform this piece as the first item on the program, and its length, fullness, and accessibility make it well-suited to opening a concert.
The viola solo at the beginning has an unmistakably exotic melody that hints at an Eastern European flavor.
Violin ConcertoPyotr Tchaikovsky
It’s a very brilliant, sparkling concerto.
It’s in D major, and you can truly enjoy the dazzling sonorities characteristic of that key.
It captures the essence of the violin and brings out its appeal to the fullest.
The virtuosic writing in the third movement is a highlight.
[Tchaikovsky] Picking out famous and representative pieces! (41–50)
The Nutcracker, Ballet Suite — No. 8: Waltz of the FlowersPyotr Tchaikovsky
It might be the most famous waltz in the world among the works composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Surely everyone has heard it.
It begins with an introduction by the woodwinds, passes to the harp, and then moves to the well-known theme in the horns.
The dazzling harmonies brimming with a sense of happiness are quintessential Tchaikovsky.
You can almost see flower petals beautifully dancing the waltz.
The harp in the first half is elegant, with a lovely tone—truly delightful.
String Sextet in D minor, Op. 70 “Souvenir de Florence”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
An elegant chamber work where the sounds of violin, viola, and cello intertwine.
The first movement begins with a burst of intensity, alternating between a gently flowing theme and a sense of soaring exhilaration.
The second movement overflows with sweetness, like a pastoral landscape.
It then passes into a third movement marked by a strikingly dynamic rhythm, and concludes with a dramatic finale.