Nicolò Paganini was one of the most celebrated violinists of his time, and a pioneer of the Romantic era of music. He was born in Genoa, Italy, on October 27, 1782, to a musical family. His father, Antonio, was a mandolin player and taught Nicolò the basics of music. Nicolò soon showed a remarkable talent for the violin and was sent to study with various teachers in Genoa and Parma.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era. His music is widely admired for its expressive melodies, rich orchestration, and emotional depth. He wrote many masterpieces in various genres, such as ballets, symphonies, operas, and chamber music. Here are seven curiosities about his life and work that you may not know.
1. He was a lawyer before he became a composer. Tchaikovsky studied law at the Imperial School of Jurisprudence in Saint Petersburg and worked as a civil servant for three years. He was unhappy with his career choice and decided to pursue his passion for music. He enrolled at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory of Music in 1862 and graduated in 1865.