[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 (61–70)
Symphony No. 2 “Little Russian”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
It is the shortest of Tchaikovsky’s six symphonies.
Though it lasts only about 30 minutes, it’s a captivating symphony packed with a distinctly Russian, grand atmosphere.
Because of its length, it’s not often chosen as the main program in concerts, but it’s said to be a popular program in Europe.
Children’s Album: 24 Easy Pieces, Op. 39Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Composed in 1878, this collection of short pieces was dedicated to the composer’s seven-year-old nephew, Vladimir.
Pieces such as “Morning Prayer,” “Mama,” “The New Doll,” and “Russian Song” draw on subjects familiar and endearing to children.
Each piece lasts around a minute, and together they form a collection that soothes frayed nerves and brings a sense of calm.
Fantasia Overture “The Tempest,” Op. 18Pyotr Tchaikovsky
A concert overture composed based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
“Tempest” means storm, and the piece includes a scene in which Duke Prospero, using his magical powers, wrecks the ship carrying his nemeses.
It is a work that portrays the sea and the characters’ emotions—at times like a tempest, at other times like gentle waves.
Hamlet, Fantasy Overture, Op. 67Pyotr Tchaikovsky
A concert overture composed based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
After the dramatic theme at the opening, a sorrowful melody on the oboe unfolds, and the piece closes with a dark tone that seems to evoke death.
In about twenty minutes, this work encapsulates the essence of the story of Hamlet.
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.
String Quartet No. 3 in E-flat minor, Op. 30Pyotr Tchaikovsky
A string quartet completed in 1876 in mourning for the death of the violinist, Laub.
Throughout, it is suffused with sorrow, giving the impression of interwoven, flowing string lines.
However, in the fourth movement it shifts to a more positive tone, as if shaking off the grief and moving forward.
It closes with a glimmer of brightness.
Album for the Young, Op. 39-20: “Baba-Yaga (The Witch)”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Track 20, “Baba Yaga (The Witch),” from Album for the Young, Op.
39, exudes a foreboding atmosphere that suggests something bad is about to happen.
It is one of the piano miniatures Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky dedicated to his nephew.
Baba Yaga is the name of a terrifying witch from old Russian folk tales who eats human flesh—perfectly matching the mood of the piece.
With its speed and powerful character, it’s a work especially popular among boys studying piano.
Put on a cool outfit and play with crisp articulation!
6 Pieces, Op. 51: No. 6, Valse SentimentalePyotr Tchaikovsky
The sixth piece from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s set of six piano pieces, “Six Pieces, Op.
51,” by the composer well known for the three great ballet scores including Swan Lake.
In addition to its achingly beautiful melody that perfectly suits the title “Valse Sentimentale,” it also contains bright, light phrases that feel like a joyful waltz, making it a recommended study piece for developing expressiveness.
Since the left hand involves leaps, be sure to practice thoroughly during hands-separate practice so you can firmly grasp the chords.
“December – Christmas” from “The Four Seasons”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
This is the depiction of December from The Seasons, a piano piece by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky that portrays the sights of the Russian year.
In December, Christmas is, as expected, a hallmark even in Russia.
Although the tones in 3/4 time may sound tinged with melancholy, the gentle character of the piece also suits warm scenes of families spending Christmas together.
There are no large developments, but it is a piece that invites you to listen leisurely to the piano’s timbre.
Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky
This is a masterpiece created by a Russian composer devoted to nurturing children’s hearts through music.
The work vividly portrays, in sound, the tale of a mysterious witch who lives in a hut standing on chicken legs and travels in a flying mortar—captivating children’s imaginations.
With a melodic line that includes rapid ascending and descending scales and wide leaps, along with unstable harmonic sonorities, it skillfully conveys the witch’s eeriness and enigmatic movements.
Composed in 1878, its brisk tempo and richly descriptive power brim with immediacy, letting listeners savor the story’s excitement.
Brimming with expressive nuance and drama, this piece is perfect for a child’s piano recital or as an encore.
A recommended classic for anyone who wishes to foster imagination through music.