[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 (51–60)
Piano Sonata “Grand Sonata” in G major, Op. 37Pyotr Tchaikovsky
A piano piece composed in 1878.
It is said to have been written around the time when Tchaikovsky, with the support of his patroness Nadezhda von Meck, began to devote himself fully to composition.
It opens with a fanfare-like, triumphant idea, and is notable for the way its musical imagery shifts moment by moment—from a sweet, lyrical theme to a plaintive, melancholy melody.
Piano Concerto No. 2Pyotr Tchaikovsky
This piano concerto stands out for showcasing highly virtuosic piano technique right from the first movement.
Compared to the First Concerto, it has a somewhat more restrained overall atmosphere, but in terms of how prominently the piano is featured, this one surpasses No.
1.
Symphony No. 1 “Winter Daydreams”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
It’s a lesser-known symphony, but it’s very beautiful.
From the very beginning of the first movement, a lovely melody flows and really moves you.
In fact, the first movement features a viola solo—a thrilling point for enthusiasts.
The brilliance of the fourth movement is also quintessentially Tchaikovsky.
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.
[Tchaikovsky] A Selection of Famous and Representative Works (61–70)
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.