Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Although we often think of an artist's work as a window into their own inner world, that is not always the case.

In the life of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, however, we can see perhaps the closest link to be found anywhere between a creative product and the shifting moods of a turbulent soul, which found its outlet through the glorious music created by the great Russian composer.

To know his music, you must know the man, and this fast-moving series of eight lectures from an award-winning composer and accomplished teacher offers an insightful look into both the circumstances of Tchaikovsky's life and the impact that life had on his music. You'll learn about his fear of conducting, his disastrous marriage and subsequent suicide attempt, his depression, and the constant anxiety that his closeted homosexuality would become public-a fear that proved prophetic and led to a second, and successful, attempt to take his own life.

Torn by the conflicts between his own Romantic inclination for expression and the requirements of Classical structure - he was the first full-time, formally trained, professional composer in Russian history - Tchaikovsky's music is a delicate balancing act. Heart versus head, emotion versus reason, release versus control, the expressiveness demanded of his Russian soul and the strictures of Classical technique - all of these conflicts find their way into his music, and give it its extraordinary emotional power.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

Informative and engaging, a true masterpiece

Robert Greenberg is about as good as it gets when it comes to delivering biographical information. His wit and enthusiasm for the subject matter is unparalleled. I would recommend anyone to read this book who doesn't believe classical music is the coolest thing ever!

Best Great Masters Course Ever!!!

This Great Masters Course on Tchaikovsky was such a wonderful blend of glorious music and history. The Author/Narrator’s delivery was so interesting and exciting that it kept me wanting more.

A good brief synopsis of Tchaikovsky and his music.

An interesting overview of the composer and his music, although I was surprised at the dismissive attitude towards the beautiful Manfred symphony. Tchaikovsky’s cause of death remains controversial and inconclusive with various theories put forward, and we cannot just accept Prof Greenberg’s narrative as conclusive. Although there are some interesting and funny anecdotes, and some humor is appreciated, there is also too much derision combined with over the top delivery.

Spectacular

Robert Greenberg's Great Masters are the BEST "Great Courses" lectures that I have heard until now. I loved Beethoven's courses and I loved Tchaikovsky's as well. Greenberg's style is unique: he speaks full of passion, the characters are well painted, the music is properly inserted.He points out to the music for example-- listen to the oboe, or look how the piano is the superb instrument-- and demonstrates the mood of the author at that precise time-- here he was sad, then he was happy. He retells with music the history of Tchaikovsky's life, his torments, and greatness.
Robert Greenberg's lectures are as entertaining as educational. Listen to them. You won't regret!

12000 love letters to someone you never met

Would you listen to Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music again? Why?

I don't know if I would have the time again with all the other Dr Greenberg courses I am listening to. I have listend to about fifty four hours and counting. These courses are most invormative.and give you a very good idea of the composers life and the history of the area in which he lived.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Great Masters: Tchaikovsky - His Life and Music?

His relationship with Van Meck is very interesting, and the story about his Romeo and Juliet.

Have you listened to any of Professor Robert Greenberg’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ihave listened to Dr Greendergs lectures on Brahms, Stavinsky and how to listen to and understand music 3rd addition I have several others of his courses that I will listen to in the future.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Why to long for one sitting. nice to have it in dailey lectures.

Excellent

Professor Greenberg presents this biographical information in an engaging and enjoyable format. I learned so much about Tchaikovsky that I was completely unaware of. Superb!!

audio was disappointing, but all else excellent

the narration bitrate sounded very low, which was annoying. but the inserted music didn't seem to have the issue.

I learned Tchaikovsky was gay 💗

Always a pleasure to listen to this series. Thank you Robert Greenberg for sharing your passion for teaching about music.

Great

A great story about a great composer. Tragic at the same time. His story resembles Beethoven's.

Excellent lectures on a favorite composer

Prof. Greenberg leads us through a fascinating story of a complicated genius and his music. This is my favorite of his courses - I have listened a few others in the past and his somewhat overbearing style got to me. Here somehow it worked - it fit the composer's dramatic and mercurial personality. Tchaikovsky's life is amazing and tortured and dramatic, and Prof. Greenberg shows us where it all emerges in the music.

Prof. Greenburg is probably the most prolific of the Great Courses lecturers. If you are looking for a place to start with his catalog, I would start here.