Thalberg, Sigismund

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, January 7, 1812.

After study in Vienna with Hummel, Sechter, and Mittag, he first appeared as a pianoforte virtuoso in 1830. He then made a triumphal tour of Europe, and visited Brazil (1855) and the United States (1856). Other concert tours were to Paris and London in 1862 and again to Brazil in 1863. As a pianist he was known for his "singing tone". His compositions include several transcriptions of peratic airs, six nocturnes, and a grand concerto.

He died in Posilippo, near Naples, Italy, April 27, 1871.

Biographic Article
• 1. Sigismund Thalberg
  2. Sigismund Thalberg's Life

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Tours, Berthold

Born in Rotterdam, December 17, 1838.

He studied music at Brussels and Leipzig, and was known as a violinist, editor, and composer. Among his published works are many very popular songs and numerous pieces for the piano.

He died in London, March 11, 1897.

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Tschaikowski, Peter Ilyitch

Born in Votinsk, Russia, May 7, 1840.

He studied jurisprudence in St. Petersburg, and in 1859 was appointed to a position in the Ministry of Justice. In 1862 he left the service of the state and entered the newly founded Conservatory of Music in St. Petersburg, where he studied under Anton Rubinstein and Zaremba. From 1866 to 1878 he was teacher of harmony at the Moscow Conservatory, resigning in order to devote himself to original work. He retired to Klin and for years worked almost in seclusion. In 1891 he gave concerts in New York and other American cities; and at Oxford, England, in 1893, he conducted some of his own compositions, and from the University received the degree of Doctor of Music.

All of Tschaikowski's works bear the imprint of the Slavonic temperament - fiery exaltation on a basis of languid melancholy. He like huge and fantastic outlines, strongly marked rhythms, subtle melodic turns, and exuberant figuration. He makes frequent use of the songs and dances of the Russian people. Everywhere his music makes the impression of genuine spontaneous originality. His works include several important operas, little known outside of Russian; symphonies, wherein some of his best orchestral composition, in which he was greatest, is shown; symphonic poems, overtures, orchestral suites, concertos, and many pianoforte pieces.

He died in St. Petersburg, November 7, 1893.