Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a master of melody. Across musical forms — symphonies, ballets, concertos, opera, and more — the Russian composer's works exquisitely harness the power of each instrument involved.
We asked WFMT's hosts, staff, and listeners to weigh in on the standout works by the expert composer.
WFMT listener Bob S. says: “As for the 1812, that was the very first piece of music I ever heard on WFMT”
WFMT listener Jennifer B. says: “What would the 4th of July be without the 1812!?"
WFMT host and producer Robbie Ellis says: "The sense of drama and that amazing love theme."
WFMT listener Ryan M. says: "Romeo and Juliet is just a pragmatic masterpiece."
WFMT listener Jennifer B. says: "Love the waltz in Symphony No. 4"
WFMT listener Ryan M. says: "Symphony 4 is top due to how Tchaikovsky shared what he was going through in this symphony (his struggle with his depression)."
WFMT listener Donald A. says: "For me, his 5th Symphony has always been my model romantic symphony, unsurpassed in Koussevitzky's recording, a true desert island disc."
WFMT production assistant Weston Williams says: "Eugene Onegin is such a good opera it's genuinely kind of shocking... It works dramatically, the libretto's great, there are great dance moments, and very smart uses of idiomatic music juxtaposed with Western European elements in a way that works thematically and aesthetically... hard to pull off."
WFMT listener Linda W. says: "Eugene Onegin is an incredibly compelling work with fully realized characters... and beautiful music."
WFMT music database assistant Tad Hassa says: "The Polonaise from Act III of Eugene Onegin has initial happiness and prevailing melancholy of impossible love."
WFMT music director Oliver Camacho says: "The Nutcracker is my top rank not because it's my personal favorite work, but because of its power to bring so many people together with charm, delight, and childlike magic. What other works in the canon can be heard year after year and still be a gateway to the pleasures of classical music and dance?"
WFMT host and producer Robbie Ellis says: "Ultimately, I believe that when most people think Tchaikovsky, they think of The Nutcracker. Plus, the tunes are just so good."
WFMT listener Linda W. says: "It’s THE violin concerto!!"
WFMT listener Steve H. says: "The violin concerto is masterful in writing and needs virtuosity and feeling both."
WFMT production assistant Weston Williams says: "Prior to Tchaikovsky, ballet music was considered a 'lesser' form of composition (and a lot of the great ballets composed before Tchaikovsky are sort of trite and famous for choreography rather than music). And while all of Tchaikovsky's ballets are good, Swan Lake holds up the best."
Enjoy the full playlist of Tchaikovsky's Top 10 Works!
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
