This is the story of two letters Tchaikovsky received in the mail. One would lead to his greatest mistake; the other to the most intimate relationship of his life.

This episode of Decomposed includes the following works from these recordings:

Peter Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Ethella Chuprik, piano; Philharmonia Cassovia conducted by Reinhard Seifried
Amadis 7122
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture
Philharmonia Cassovia conducted by Johannes Wildner
Amadis 7066
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake: Waltz
Philharmonia Cassovia conducted by Andrew Mogrelia
Amadis 7069
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave
Philharmonia Cassovia conducted by Johannes Wildner
Amadis 7066
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: Introduction
Belgrade National Opera conducted by Oskar Danon
Naxos 9.801144-45
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: Tatiana’s Letter Scene
Belgrade National Opera conducted by Oskar Danon
Naxos 9.801144-45
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations
Istvan Vardai, cello; Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tibor Boganyi
Brilliant Classics 94876
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4: III. Scherzo
Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ondrej Lenard
Amadis 7029
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: The Maid of Orleans: Introduction
Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Roman Kofman
Orfeo C54011A

Peter Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake: Dances of the Swans
Philharmonia Cassovia conducted by Andrew Mogrelia
Amadis 7069
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Capricco Italien
Philharmonia Cassovia conducted by Johannes Wildner
Amadis 7066
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Peter Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
Bratislava Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ondrej Lenard
Amadis 7029
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Further reading:

• Tchaikovsky: A Biography by Anthony Holden

• Tchaikovsky by Roland John Wiley