Peter Tchaikovsky composed some of the most beautiful music ever written for orchestras.
    Tchaikovsky was born in Russia on May 7, 1840, His father and mother began piano lessons for him at an early age.
    When Tchaikovsky was eleven, he was sent to a special school to study law. For several years he did not have time to think about his music. But at the age of twenty-two, he once again began to study music at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Four years later, he became a teacher at the Moscow Conservatory of Music.
    While teaching, Tchaikovsky began to compose. But with his teaching duties, it was hard to find the time he needed to write music, An important event took place which solved this problem. A rich admirer gave Tchaikovsky enough money to quit his teaching job and spend all his time writing music. Tchaikovsky never met this admirer in person, but they exchanged letters for years.
    Over the next fourteen years, until his death on November 6, 1893, Tchaikovsky wrote some of the most beautiful compositions ever written.
    Tchaikovsky wrote beautiful symphonies, concertos and operas. But his best known work may be his
three ballets: "Swan Lake," "Sleeping Beauty" and the "Nutcracker."
    The "Nutcracker" tells the story of a little girl's dream. On Christmas night, she dreams that one of her gifts, a nutcracker, comes to life and battles an army of soldiers led by the Mouse King. In her dream, the nutcracker turns into a prince and carries her off to the Sugar Plum Kingdom. The ballet features a Russian Dance, Chinese Dance, Arab Dance, Dance of the Flutes and the Waltz of the Flowers.
    Many of the melodies from the "Nutcracker," "Swan Lake" and other works are well-known today, That is why Tchaikovsky is often called the "Master of the Medley."
    Tchaikovsky traveled to many countries, including America. In 1891, he went to New York City to take part in the opening of Carnegie Hall.