The Principia by Isaac Newton

Extended Synopsis

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is famous for all the wrong reasons. Often portrayed merely as a hopeless romantic, a suffering melancholic, or a morbid obsessive, the Tchaikovsky we think we know is a shadow of the fascinating reality. It is frequently forgotten that he not only composed an empire's worth of iconic orchestral and theatrical music but also skillfully navigated the imperial Russian court to his great advantage. In this iconoclastic biography, celebrated author Simon Morrison vividly recreates Tchaikovsky's complex world. Examining how his life and art were deeply framed by Russian national ambition, Morrison reveals the composer as a kaleidoscopic, capacious, and cosmopolitan imperial subject. Tchaikovsky's Empire reexamines his political engagements, his strategic support of Tsars Alexander II and III, and his deep cultural ties across the imperial margins of Ukraine, Poland, and the Caucasus, ultimately unsettling past assumptions to offer a vivid new appreciation of the master.

Author Biography

Simon Morrison is a renowned musicologist, historian, and author who specializes in 19th- and 20th-century Russian and Soviet music. Known for his meticulous archival research and engaging narrative style, Morrison provides profound cultural and historical context to the lives and works of history's most celebrated musical figures.

Perfect For

Classical music enthusiasts, scholars of Russian imperial history, and biography readers interested in the intricate intersection of legendary art, high-court politics, and national identity.

Accolades & Reviews

"A lively, argumentative and thoughtful reflection on one of the 19th century's most important musical figures."
— Michael O'Donnell, Wall Street Journal

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