Whose Birthday Is It? May 7, 2016

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840)

A towering figure in Russian music and one ofthe most popular composers in history,Tchaikovsky became interested in music as achild and turned to serious composition at 14.His works are noted for their expressivemelodies, and he is said to haverevolutionized ballet by transforming it from a grand decorativegesture into a staged musical drama. His ballets include SwanLake and The Nutcracker. What Russian businesswomansupported him for 13 years but—as a rule—never met him?More…