Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Born in Votkinsk (Vyatka Governorate, Russian Empire). In 1850-1859 he studied at the Imperial School of Jurisprudence in Saint Petersburg, while continuing his music lessons. After graduating from the school he entered service at the Ministry of Justice as a titular counsellor. But music was closer to his heart. In 1861 Tchaikovsky attended the music theory classes of the Russian Musical Society. In 1862 he entered the newly opened Saint Petersburg Conservatory, in the classes of Anton Rubinstein and Zaremba, and graduated in 1865 with a silver medal. He wrote more than 80 works. He died in Saint Petersburg.