Music Theory

Learning Tchaikovsky: Best Songs to Play Right Now

Tchaikovsky’s emotionally expressive and culturally unique music offers players of almost any level a chance to stretch their skills and explore a range of moods. The composer’s influence on Russian, and, indeed, many other classical composers, echoes through the nearly two centuries since his lifet

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Tchaikovsky music

Tchaikovsky’s emotionally expressive and culturally unique music offers players of almost any level a chance to stretch their skills and explore a range of moods. The composer’s influence on Russian, and, indeed, many other classical composers, echoes through the nearly two centuries since his lifetime. Thus, learning how to play Tchaikovsky represents an opportunity to connect with his era and the numerous works that owe a debt to his music.

Whether you want to perform his ballets, some of the most magnificent ever composed, his marvelous Russian operas, or you want a point of entry to his technically unique and emotive oeuvre, there’s a

Tchaikovsky composition

to suit you, your instrument and your passion.

During the Christmas season, the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker is nearly ubiquitous on the radio and in department stores, along with several other pieces from the ballet. The ballet, whose popularity was so great that Tchaikovsky eventually compiled the shorter version, “The Nutcracker Suite,” is familiar without verging into cliche and brings to mind the twirling sweetness and aerial loveliness of the Sugar Plum Fairy dancer herself.

While “The Sleeping Beauty” was Tchaikovsky’s personal favorite, musicians and non-musicians alike know the booming cannons of the “1812 Overture” and the lilting melody of “Swan Lake,” while fans of the film “Misery” will recognize Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23. The perennial favorites among performers learning how to play Tchaikovsky and their audience include:

Which Easy Tchaikovsky Pieces Should You Learn First?

Like Robert Schumann before him, Tchaikovsky felt frustrated by the lack of more manageable pieces for his students, and so composed his “Album for the Young,” Op. 39, in 1848. Tchaikovsky’s eclectic anthology of works reflects his passion for his native Russian culture of dance and traditions, his travels and assorted childhood experiences.

The pieces in Tchaikovsky’s “Children’s Album,” Op. 39 range in difficulty from late beginner, grade 2, to late intermediate, grade 7. Your experience with each composition depends upon your overall skill level and exposure to the various musical elements they contain, such as chord structure, notation, time signatures and tempo changes. That said, the following pieces offer an excellent introduction to learning how to play Tchaikovsky’s pieces more generally.

“The Sick Doll,” No. 7

This grade 2 piece is one of the more straightforward compositions in the album and captures the sorrow a child feels while they pretend the illness of a favorite doll. The slightly disjointed melody of “The Sick Doll” might present a challenge, but keep the left hand soft for balance.

“Old French Song,” No. 16

An intermediate player might try the expressive “Old French Song.” The gentle character of the piece is supported by a refinement that allows developing pianists to explore more nuanced dynamics, phrasing and rubato.

“Italian Song,” No. 15

The grade 4 “Italian Song” is an exuberant melody in triple meter that is a joyful, tuneful way to learn how to play Tchaikovsky for more advanced beginners. Reminiscent of rollicking Italians singing through the streets, the Italian song will have you humming even when you’re not practicing on the piano.

“The Witch,” No. 20

In Russian culture, the (in)famous Baba Yaga is much more than a witch, often appearing almost like a fairy godmother figure in some tales. Leveled at grade 5, “The Witch” is Tchaikovsky’s mysterious and lively interpretation of his country’s folklore.

What Tchaikovsky Pieces Challenge Experienced Players?

Musicians may debate which musical compositions present the biggest challenge for the player, but Tchaikovsky usually emerges as a contender. His virtuosic approach and distinctive style make for a rewarding adventure for advanced players, no matter which piece you choose.

Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23

Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 often appears on “Hardest Pieces for Piano” lists, and for good reason. The rapid arpeggios and octaves, and the dense, textured chords, propose a challenge in careful technique while also requiring attention to nuance and lyricism. The unconventional form of the first movement is rhapsodic and eloquent, a non-traditional fantasia that is deeply personal and expressive.

Darker tones emerge after the opening, but the accompanying orchestra brings the piano back to the original theme. Musicians learning how to play Tchaikovsky will notice a Ukrainian folk song, set at an anxious pace, is followed by a melancholy theme from the clarinet. Finally, the strings introduce the third, more optimistic theme. All three themes include melodic and despondent interruptions from the piano. To play Tchaikovsky is to begin to know the composer, and the Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st Movement, is to embrace his complexities in composition and life.

Lenski’s Aria from “Eugene Onegin”

Although his operas rarely appear outside Russia, the aria from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugen Onegin” offers a particularly intense glimpse of the composer’s emotional circumstances. Notable for carefully controlled dramaturgy and psychological realism, Onegin is a step towards the style of Chekov’s plays rather than traditional opera, based, as it were, on Pushkin’s verse novel.

Lenski’s aria from the opera is a profoundly emotional piece, as the singer tells of the deep love that has been lost. A kind of fantasy, the aria’s cadenza-like feel and virtuosic qualities add complexity and subtlety that challenge players toward a crescendo of sentiment.

Where Can You Find Tchaikovsky Sheet Music?

Wherever you are in your musical journey, learning to play Tchaikovsky compositions allows you to practice expressive playing and challenge your technique. Even advanced players can discover beauty in the simple tunes of the “Children’s Album,” while beginners can set their sights on the drama and speed of Tchaikovsky’s more complicated pieces. Find the best classical sheet music so you can play the best Tchaikovsky pieces at home or out and about at your performances. Our Musicnotes app lets you download, organize and sync your music across all your devices.

Sources:

  • https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/ten-pieces-music-were-once-thought-impossible-play/
  • https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/piano/most-difficult-pieces/
  • https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/21/tchaikovsky-where-to-start-with-his-music
  • https://www.pianotv.net/2017/10/easiest-tchaikovsky-pieces/
  • https://pianeys.com/en-selection/tchaikovsky/
  • https://musthaveclassicalmusic.com/tchaikovsky-for-kids/
  • https://www.wqxr.org/story/where-have-i-heard-8-tchaikovsky-references-pop-culture/

Published on January 16, 2023