Pyotr “Peter” Ilyich Tchaikovsky was one of the greatest and most popular Russian composers of all time. Although he died very mysteriously at the age of 53, his musical talent was so brilliant that it led him to compose numerous symphonies, chamber compositions, vocal compositions and dramatic works. Great musicianship comes with great struggles in his personal life, just like other composers. Depression and love affairs were a constant struggle, but his music helped overcome these problems. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840 in the small town of Kamsko-Votkinsk, about 600 miles east of Moscow. Tchaikovsky's father, Ilya Petrovich, was a factory manager which provided him with a large income and a high social position within their community. Petrovich was married twice, the first marriage ending upon the death of his wife. Petrovich had a daughter in this marriage. His second marriage, to Tchaikovsky's mother, Alexandra Andreyevnad'Assier, took place in 1833. From this marriage Tchaikovsky was born. He was the second child in a family of six children. Tchaikovsky's mother later died in 1854. Tchaikovsky began studying piano at the age of five. Very early on, he showed incredible talents playing the piano. At the age of ten, he and his family were living in Saint Petersburg where Tchaikovsky was studying piano at the School of Jurisprudence. Tchaikovsky attended his first ballet in 1848. From his first ballet, Tchaikovsky fell in love with musical composition. He described his memories of attending Mozart's Don Giovanni as the first piece of music that totally captivated him. (Tchaikovsky, Roland John Wiley 2009) This opera alone was the reason why Tchaikovsky decided...... middle of paper ...... but later the court said he was committed suicide. To this day, no one knows exactly how he died. Even though Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky died so young, he is known as the greatest Russian composer of all time. He had many difficulties throughout his life, such as the death of his mother, his struggles with depression, and his romantic relationships, but these factors led him to compose the greatest pieces in history. He was very talented, even if some didn't think he was. If he had lived more than 53 years, he could have been even more influential than he is today. Works Cited Koolbergen, Jeroen. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. London: Tiger Books International, 1995. Print. Wiley, Roland John. Tchaikovsky. Oxford. 2009. Print.Grove, Sir George DCL, Fuller, JAMA A Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London: Macmillan And Co. and New York. 1890. Print.