Russian Romantic Music and Tchaikovsky

Russian Romantic Music and Tchaikovsky Russian music bears its own styles and emotions, free from the outside influence of other European countries during the Romantic period. Politics play an indirect role in the development of Russian music, isolating the country both politically and musically. Until the Decembrist revolt in 1825, Russia was under the unrelenting rule of czars. Russia retained the ways of the old -- its caste system, its severity of censorship -- while the …

…suicide on November 6, 1893. Tchaikovsky had left behind a legacy unlike that of any Russian composer, or any composer. His ballet music, violin and piano concertos, symphonies, and even his delicate Serenade for Strings had made their mark as the epitome of Russian Romantic music. His life, though tragic, added an emotional dimension to his compositions not seen in any other genre. Tchaikovsky’s personal suffering had come through only as beauty in all his music.