Tchaikovsky is not as familiar a name as say Beethoven or Mozart, but he is one of the people you have almost definitely heard the music of. Tchaikovsky for kids especially, is one of the best composers to introduce.
The most well-known music that Tchaikovsky wrote is the music for the Nutcracker ballet. This is the iconic ballet that has been adapted into many kids’ books and is referenced in many holiday shows.
Tchaikovsky also wrote the music for the Swan Lake ballet, as well as the famous Sleeping Beauty Waltz.
As well, he wrote a popular ‘Album for the Young’ which many young pianists still learn pieces from to this day!
He was one of the first Russian composers to be influential in Western music.
Tchaikovsky’s Life
Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer born in 1840. He lived until 1893. When he was young, Tchaikovsky began taking piano lessons, which he learned quickly. But after a few more years, he was sent to a prestigious boarding school to prepare him for a career. After finishing school, he did get a job as a clerk for the Ministry of Justice.
However, Tchaikovsky loved music and when the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music opened, he went to study there. He was one of their first students. This helped him begin a career in music.
Romantic Music
Tchaikovsky lived during the 19th century, which was the Romantic period. Music during the Romantic period became increasingly expressive and emotional. Prior to the Romantic period was the Classical period, which had a much stronger focus on structure and featured composers such as Mozart.
The Romantic period also began to feature ‘program music’. Program music is music that tells a narrative or story using just the music itself. To do this, music became very expressive.
Tchaikovsky’s ‘Romeo and Juliet Overture’ is an example of Romantic program music. Each character is represented by an instrument or group of instruments, and the story of Romeo and Juliet is told through the instrumental music as you listen.
Although Tchaikovsky wrote many types of music, his most famous is the music he wrote for ballets. A ballet is a theatrical dance that uses music, a set, and costumes.
Swan Lake
Swan Lake is a tragic ballet that follows a fairy tale style plot. It is so well known that there is even a Barbie movie made after Swan Lake. But, although it uses some of the music, it doesn’t follow the same story.
This is a good Tchaikovsky ballet to learn about if it is not during the holiday season.
The main characters in Swan Lake are Princess Odette, Prince Siegried, and an evil sorcerer.
Princess Odette, along with her companions, has been cursed to remain a swan during the day, although she can become human at night. She can only become human permanently if a man swears to love only her.
Prince Siegried surprises Princess Odette, while out hunting, just as she turns into a swan. They fall deeply in love.
Unfortunately, the evil sorcerer disguises his daughter as Princess Odette and tricks the prince into proclaiming his love to her instead. Because of this trick, the prince can no longer save Odette. He leaps into the water in sorrow to be with Odette forever, and this breaks the spell letting Odette’s companions free.
The most famous music from Swan Lake is the Theme. Listen to it here.
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is probably the most well-known ballet by any composer and is definitely the most popular for families with children. During most holiday seasons you can find this ballet airing on TV as well as online.
This is a good Tchaikovsky ballet to learn about if it is the holiday season.
The Nutcracker is the perfect story for kids, as it features a young girl as the main character.
Clara’s godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker as a gift at a Christmas Eve party. After he leaves, he casts a spell so she will dream that the nutcracker and all the toys under the tree come to life.
The Nutcracker wages battle on the Mouse King and turns into a prince. Together they travel to different lands. In the land of sweets, the sugar plum fairy and many others congratulate them with a variety of different dances.
In the end, Clara wakes up and the prince turns back in the nutcracker. Watch and listen to some of the well-known dances and their music.
Can you imagine Clara’s toys coming to life to do these dances for her and the nutcracker prince?
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Russian Dance
Do you see Clara and her nutcracker prince watching the dancers?
Kids activity ideas:
- Watch the Nutcracker or Swan Lake ballet, or read the storybooks if they are available at your library
- Put on some of Tchaikovsky’s ballet music and encourage your kids to dance and move around to it. Bonus idea: give them scarves to wave as they dance.
- If your kids play an instrument, encourage them to learn something by Tchaikovsky. For example, this free piano sheet music for ‘Swan Lake’ is available in a couple of different levels.
- Put on Tchaikovsky’s music during quiet time or for study.
- Learn more about Tchaikovsky with my printable composer workbook for kids! Learn more about the themes and instruments in the ‘Romeo and Juliet Overture’, Learn about the Swan Lake ballet and its main theme. The workbook includes a children’s bio of Tchaikovsky, with corresponding activity sheets for reading, writing, colouring, listening, and comprehension.
