Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky by John Suchet delves into the life and legacy of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose life and premature death have long been mythologised and misunderstood. Suchet draws back the curtain to reveal the real man behind the music.

A shy, emotional child, Tchaikovsky embarked on composing as a career relatively late in life. Constantly doubting himself and deeply hurt by criticism, he nevertheless rose to become one of the world's most cherished composers. Yet behind his success lay profound sadness: the death of his mother haunted him throughout his life, and his persistent efforts to conceal his homosexuality exacted a significant emotional toll.

From his disastrous marriage to his remarkable relationship with his female patron, as well as his numerous amorous liaisons and devotion to friends and family, Suchet illustrates how the complexities of Tchaikovsky's emotional life resonate in his music. Previously obscured by sanitised portrayals from his brother and Russian authorities, Tchaikovsky: The Man Revealed explores the intricate and contradictory character of this great artist, elucidating how he secured his rightful place among the world's pre-eminent composers.