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Two young companions, Totho and Salma, arrive at Tark to spy on the menacing Wasp army, but are there mistakenly apprehended as enemy agents. By the time they are freed, the city is already under siege. Over in the imperial capital the young emperor, Alvdan, is becoming captivated by a remarkable slave, the vampiric Uctebri, who claims he knows of magic that can grant eternal life. In Collegium, meanwhile, Stenwold is still trying to persuade the city magnates to take seriously the Wasp Empire's imminent threat to their survival. In a colorful drama involving mass warfare and personal combat, a small group of heroes must stand up against what seems like an unstoppable force. This volume continues the story that so brilliantly unfolded in Empire in Black and Gold - and the action is still non-stop. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Don't let it fly under your radar
Dragonfly Falling is the amazing follow-up to Adrian Tchaikovsky's Empire in Black and Gold. The story directly follows the events of book 1. The wasps have increased their hold on the lowlands, and the position of our heroes is much more precarious. The empire has begun its assault and the blood is flowing. Tchaikovsky's battle descriptions are nothing short of epic, bloody, and gritty, with nail-biting sequences that seem to run for pages. Empire in Black and Gold introduced you to the players, and set the overall stage. I struggled a bit with its pacing, but had none of that problem here. Dragonfly Falling is truly when the dung beetle hits the fan.

The characters continue to grow and change in amazing ways. Like Empire in Black and Gold, Dragonfly Falling explores the many facets of the various characters. Who's good and who's bad is not always so clear cut, and that's refreshing. I've also come to realize that there are just as many "Insect Kinden" in Tchaikovsky's world as there are insects. I stopped keeping track of them about a quarter of the way through the book. As nice as it is to have a diverse population in your story, you lose a bit by always having a convenient race to solve various issues. It's not a device often used in the story, but the potential for abuse is there. I wonder if it will become a little more prominent as the series progresses.

I am so glad Pyr has decided to release the SHADOWS OF THE APT series in the US, as so far it has been incredibly well written and unique. Dragonfly Falling raises the stakes in every way possible, and I'm excited to see how everything progresses in book 3, Blood of the Mantis. Dragonfly Falling does everything right, and I really can't find many faults. Tchaikovsky's writing is top notch and seems to be getting even better. In a genre where a lot of ho-hum stuff gets over-hyped, do not let SHADOWS OF THE APT fly under your radar. --Justin from FantasyLiterature.com

A fun read!
This book was thing short of stellar. The characters are engaging, the setting is well flushed out and unique, the action is entertaining, and the dialogue is believable. All of this without coming across as corny or cliche, which is often rarer. Of the Shadows of the Apt series, this one was my favorite, and has earned itself a position on my "Favorites" shelf of books I'll actually bother to re-read. A worthwhile purchase.

Dragonfly Falling blows everything up into Epic proportions
To say that Dragonfly Falling is better than the Empire is putting it too lightly. After Empire my expectations were pretty high for Dragonfly Falling and it didn't just meet them, but knocked them out of the park with its decidedly militaristic tone. Dragonfly Falling picks up soon after the action of Empire In Black and Gold, which was a prelude of so much. While the first volume acted well to introduce a part of this incredibly rich world, some of its cultures, and an endearing cast of characters Dragonfly Falling blows everything up into Epic proportions. The battles get bigger, bloodier, and more intricate.

The Wasps while thwarted in their original plans are nonplussed as they change tactics from subversive to more straight forward means as they pit the Ant-kinden city-state of Vek against Collegium while they attempt to conquer other Ant-kinden holdings. Master Maker Stenwold's cadre of apprentices and wards again are cast to the wind as they try to unite the lowlands and defy the Wasps. This is no easy feat, but there are rumblings of troubles within the Wasp upper echelon as generals grab for power, which leads to some unexpected Wasp allies.

The majority of Dragonfly Falling is one big beautiful battle after another. We finally get to see the Collegium's techno innovations turned against other groups that shake their creators to their core with the repercussions. We also meet a few new characters who become very important as the series goes on including a very mad Dragonfly-kinden woman who is after a certain Wasp Major. Tynisa and Tisamon finally get some alone time with one another as they journey to the training ground of the Mantis-kinden in hope of Tynisa earning her heritage. If it is one things Mantis-kinden know it is how to make someone pay.

What becomes of Totho while not totally unforeseen plays out very nicely as his allegiance is tested time and again, but he finally gets to prove his worth even if it is for the wrong reasons. On the other hand Salma's role in things is all too predictable. I saw this coming from the moment he was first captured in Empire. and Cheer is being built up for a lot, but it still doesn't seem to be apparent just exactly what. This volume also has the B story ofthe Shadow Box being sought after by the Wasp Empire and Achaeos trying to stop them. The Shadow Box is ancient and has a one ring kind of vibe to it at the moment where everyone wants it, but don't know precisely what to do with it.Even though this is a long series in the planning each volume has a definitive end and beginning with a few things left over for the next go around.

Overall this is a series that doesn't disappoint. It has got everything a lover of Epic Fantasy could want plus offers many new and fresh innovations with steam-tech, but it is the world and cultures you'll keep coming back for as you meet the whole pantheon of insect Kindens throughout the lands and delve deeper into the back story as it unfolds. It definitely pays to read these books close together so some of the details and nuances of the characters aren't lost. The only problem with the series is the constant jumping around of points of view, but the author knows this is a big world and he is anxious to give you all the details.

Better than book one...in fact one of the best 2nd books of any series I've ever read!
The second book in the 'Shadow of the Apt' series by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

This novel continues where book one left off; we continue to follow several characters on a sequential basis as they try to stem the tide of conquest by the Wasp Empire. A faction that has continually displayed covert yet aggressive intentions towards the rest of the continent (The Lowlands).

This book is quite exceptional...let me explain. I've read many trilogies/series in which the second book has some minor improvements compared to the first; better because the author has had some time to more clearly defined his ideas for both his story and characters. And often the quality of writing and story telling have improve slightly as well.

However, what impressed me most about this second effort is the degree of improvement found in this book compared to the first; improvement mainly in the quality of the prose that is used. The writing is more concise and written in such a way as to add to the suspense and intrigue of the situations that the main characters find themselves in. The narrative in this work just flowed better; if the story telling in book one was good, then it could easily be described as great for this second effort.

Also, as I mentioned before, the tale is told on a sequential basis, following about a half dozen or so characters in turn. As I approached the end of this book, I began to realize another unusual quality of this book. That being, that none, not one, of these tales was dull, boring or just plain 'fill'; all were intense, exciting and riveting. Few novels I've read with this 'sequential' format have ever accomplished this feat so well, as most have one or two segments that drag or hold little interest. Not so with this book!

Of course the above effect was enhanced by the fact that every section seemed to end in a 'cliffhanger' of sorts. This made me sorry to leave this chapter and eager to return to this particular thread. Honestly, few books that I've read recently (with the exception maybe of Joe Abercrombie's first two books in 'The First Law' trilogy) have had me so eager to keep reading or trying to find time to get back to a book; the book was simply that good.

Even the concerns I had regarding the written description of some of the one on one fights scenes in book one (see my review of 'Empire in Black and Gold' Sept 19/09), were no longer an issue in this second book.

Other positive features were
1.) a very good map
2.) a brief list of names, places and organizations (with brief descriptions) at the beginning of the book, that really helps to identify the characters etc. within.

Conclusion:
An exceptionally second book in the series, that not only has it all the ingredients for high fantasy and adventure, but also was presented in such a way that will make you want to read on and on.And for any book, who could ask for more. Easily 5 Stars...more if I could.

Ray Nicholson

Great follow up.
The Empire in Black and Gold, the first book in this series started extremely slow but piqued my interest at the halfway point.

Book two blew away the first book.New characters, new allies, and non stop action kept me glued until this book was done.I haven't put this much time into a book since the Night Angel Trilogy.

I ordered Blood of the Mantis the second I finished this book and no matter what book I am into I will drop it to find out what happens to Stenwald and Co. ... Read more

Product Description
The Eulenburg Audio+Score Series covers more than 200 years of the world's favorite classical music. Each of the 50 volumes consists of a clearly-presented and authoritative musical score, an informative preface detailing the biographical and creative background, and a Naxos CD containing the work in full length. Eulenburg Audio+Score is the new way to hear, read, and understand music for everyone from the casual music lover to the expert enthusiast. Each volume includes a study score of the music with an informative article and a CD with a complete recording of the featured piece. ... Read more

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Preface * I. Andante non troppo-Allegro moderato * II. Walzer. Moderato. Tempo di Valse * III. Elegie. Larghetto elegiaco * IV. Finale (Tema Russo) Andante-Allegro con spirito ... Read more

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No Description provided. ... Read more

Product Description
The present volume, translated from the monumental Russian biography by the composer's brother, is the result of a careful selection of material.The leading idea which the editor has kept in view has been to preserve as far as possible the autobiographical character of the book, preferring to let Tchaikovsky himself tell the story of his life.This title is cited and recommended by Books for College Libraries. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Great Romantic Violin Concertos in Full Score
Superb book - clear and easy to read. Three of the very best concertos for violin and orchestra in the one book - as they should be! One should purchase this book to appreciate these works to their full potential. A must have for anyone who is studying these works from an academic point of view or for the general listener who wishes to further enhance their listening pleasure or their general musical knowledge.

Top Notch Concertos
Three of the greatest concertos for violin ever composed are in this volume.

With concertos by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky, it is impossible to determine which is superior of the three.Each is such a masterwork that it has to stand by itself.Dover's edition is easy to read, clearly printed, and as usual is inexpensive.

By the way, there is but one other violin concerto that is in the same league as these three, and that is the one by Brahms.But have no fear, Dover has a volume of Brahms' concertos that includes the violin concerto!Recommended for the dedicated music lover!

The most beautifu romantic violin concertos
A good song for who love romantic ... Read more

Product Description

Known primarily as the composer of The Nutcracker Suite and other legendary pieces, Tchaikovsky was also a noted musical dramatist.Here, in the first book devoted to the subject, his operas are explored in depth: from his two most famous, Eugene Oneginand The Queen of Spades, to such lesser-known works as The Maid of Orléans.The social and psychological complexity of these operas, not to mention their musical brilliance, confirm Tchaikovsky's reputation as his country's greatest opera composer.He displayed great versatility in the range of genres in which he worked, from the tragic to the fantastical, the allegorical to the comic, and he employed a rich variety of musical styles, creating operas that are still performed widely today.

In this thorough and engaging examination, author Henry Zajaczkowski both assesses and re-appraises these works.He provides an overview of Tchaikovsky's opera career, complete with synopses, musical and dramatic analysis, and historical context that places the composer in the pantheon of great masters of the form.

Product Description
Written for the layman, this new biography of the world's most popular composer contains previously unrevealed material gathered from Russian files about his probable suicide at the age of 53 after being threatened with the exposure of his homosexuality. of photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Absolutely Compelling Presentation of Tchaikovsky's Life (and Times)
Kudos to Anthony Holden for this absolutely stunning view into the life and times of perhaps Russia's greatest composer. The author certainly has done his homework on this beautiful, deeply touching, telling of this great man's life. From his troubled childhood and on up through his years of education and early job post through his further study of music and composition, and his deeply painful struggle to get his works accepted both by his peers and also within the Russian community. Always, and easily accepted outside Russia, his works seemingly took forever to find acceptance "at home". How much this was the fault of the "Mighty Five" we probably will never completely know, but certainly they had a great hand in it.

The background behind the frontal stage of Tchaikovsky's life, the inner workings within his deeply dysfunctional family and with his friends and acquaintances are fascinating to look at, and quite informative as to why and how come he was the man that he was, and his withdrawn, deeply insecure thoughts, feelings and way of presenting both himself and his works gave me such an awakening to this man that I have completely changed my view of both him and his works. I have a new understanding and value for/of his works...how wonderful to have a revelation like this!

In the interest of keeping this short, please read through some of the other reviews here....we, as a group, and also separately, reflect both the quality of writing by Anthony Holden, his level of deeply investigative research, and assembly of it into this truly VERY GREAT biography of this musical genius.

Anybody interested in music, biography, history, the arts in general, or even the psychological interaction of people will enjoy this deeply reflective biography of Pytor Tchaikovsky.

A perverted perspective
There are many accounts of the life and the last days of the great composer Peter Tchaikovsky. This is not one of them. The distant relationship between the Tchaikovsky and his financial and psychological supporter, Madame Nadezhda von Meck is central to his musical genious and that is covered rather well. I lived in Russia for six years and spent much time learning more about that country's great music heritage. Tchaikovsky is one of my favorites. An artist's private life indeed affects his or her creations. But to claim, as Holden does repeatedly, the Tchaikovsky's homosexuality was the driving force of his music, is an insult to his natural genius. That seems to be Holden's main point and it serves only a special readership. For that reason it may satisfy a narrow readership. Tchaikovsky's death is indeed a mystery and there are some interesting perspectives. I have mine. Tchaikovsky was a great composer, immortal. And that is what we should know him for.

Frederick R. Andresen, Author of "Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia."

A PROVOCATIVE AND COMPELLING BIOGRAPHY OF A POPULAR COMPOSER
Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was the best-known composition student of pianist/composer Anton Rubinstein, and he is one of the rare classical composers who has written some works that are "recognizable" by popular audiences.Holden's biography contains a wealth of detail that illumines the life of the composer.

Not necessarily "immediately" popular in his own lifetime, Anton's brother Nikolay Rubinstein called Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto (perhaps now his most popular piece) "Worthless ... trite ... vulgar," and more.Tchaikovsky wrote several religious pieces, yet "To Tchaikovsky, religion was more a prophylactic against his woes than an intellectual conviction.""A chronic incomniac, he increasingly sought solace in coffee and card games, liquor and cigarettes---four 'vices' he would indulge all his life, often chiding himself in his diaries."

Tchaikovsky's homosexuality is widely-known these days, of course.(Holden notes that fifteen was "the age at which, all his life, he found young men at the height of their sexual allure.")His secrecy about his proclivities is understandable, since "Homosexuality was not merely illegal in Russia, punishable by public disgrace, loss of civil rights and exile to Siberia; it was widely regarded, even in the most liberal of circles, as a 'vice.'"He briefly married a composition student of his, but they broke up after about three months (even though remaining legally married)."It was, in his own mind, his homosexuality which had caused 'an unbridgeable gulf' between him and the rest of society.'It lends my personality an aloofness, a fear of company, excessive shyness, a mistrust of everyone---in sum, a thousand qualities which make me ever more unsociable."He even concluded that "My whole life has been a chain of misfortunes because of my sexuality."He had even urged his younger brother to "cure" himself of his homosexual leanings "before it is too late."

Tchaikovsky died nine days after the premiere of his 6th Symphony ("Pathétique).His death was supposedly due to contracting cholera from drinking unboiled water; Holden comments that "that Tchaikovsky died of cholera, the result of a tragic accident---inevitably became the received wisdom ... it was believed by the outside world for the best part of a century."However, Holden argues that Tchaikovsky took his own life, by ingesting arsenic in the form of rat poison; it took four horribly painful days for him to die.

Holden's biography is richly detailed, and delves in detail into the various "controversies" about the composer's life, and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

the enigma of tchaikovsky's death
If Anthony Holden is correct in his assessment that David Brown's four-volume is the best "critical and biographical survey" of Tchaikovsky's musical output, then Holden himself--a prolific and accomplished biographer--has probably written here the best-researched and most insightful biography of the composer himself.Holden begins by pointing out that the biography written by Tchaikovsky's brother Modest is in many respects not to be believed, since Modest--himself a homosexual--went to great lengths to conceal the fact of his brother's homosexuality.Modest also did everything he could to propagate an unlikely story: that his gifted brother killed himself--either carelessly or deliberately--by drinking an unboiled glass of water and contracting cholera.Why would Tchaikovsky have done this, knowing full well that there was a cholera epidemic in St. Petersburg?Having just conducted the first performance of his Pathetique Symphony, in excellent health, and financially secure now for the first time in his career, would he really have been so careless--or so suicidal--as to throw his life away just as his reputation was becoming secure?Holden posits an intriguing alternative: that Tchaikovsky was essentially murdered--forced either to take his own life, or to be "outed" and ruined--by a conspiracy which included other jealous Russian composers.An excellent read, and an insightful and sympathetic look at a man whose torments--which so informed his music--may also have led, ironically, to his premature death.

Wonderful story telling
"The notion that one day people will try to probe into the private world of my thoughts and feelings...is very said and unpleasant." So said Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of the most famous composers of all time, in 1880. Fortunately for Tchaikovsky fans of today, Anthony Holden has done just that and has done it well. Tchaikovsky: A Biography (Random House, 1996) provides a laymen's view of the turbulent life of the ill-fated composer, approaching both the music and the man equally. Holden's analyses of prominent works do not, as most might fear, rely heavily on knowledge of musical theory, but stem mostly from events that took place in the composer's life at the time a work was written. Commentary on Tchaikovsky's personal life and anecdotal references are written humorously and with the kind of cleverness that comes with true enthusiasm for the subject. Holden uses, as much as possible, direct quotes from those who knew the composer best, working them into the text with a narrative style. The often told of and bizarre relationship that Tchaikovsky had with his long time benefactress Nadezhda von Meck, is also brought to light in great detail. Unlike many biographers, who believe that Meck withdrew financial support upon discovering the composer's homosexuality, Holden contends that Meck's assertions of financial ruin were in fact true, owing to blackmail from her son-in-law!

As with any biography of Tchaikovsky, the most intriguing moments come with the discussions of his homosexuality and his questionable death. Like a detective presenting a scenario, Holden writes the last two days of Tchaikovsky's life with the audience directly watching, "We find Tchaikovsky at the library, looking up a score..." He follows the detailed and highly questionable testimony of Tchaikovsky's brother, Modest, who was with him in the last few days of his death. On the question of death, Holden sides (tentatively) in the recently presented "court of honor" theory, which suggests that a handful of Tchaikovsky's fellow alumni gave him a three-prong ultimatum in censure for his homosexuality. Obsessively in fear of being "outed", Holden believes that the composer chose the last of the options and poisoned himself with arsenic rather than live in disgrace. Given the obvious problems with the testimony of Modest, Holden suggests that the composer's brother knew about the suicide and was covering it up for fear that the "court of honor" might turn on him (Modest was also homosexual).

In all, Anthony Holden's work is not just an excellent example of investigative history, but a wonderfully told story tarnished only by the unfortunate end of its main subject. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume two of Tchaikowsky's piano solos includes 22 pieces from his Opus 40 through Opus 72. These are generally shorter works than in volume I, and again will make wonderful additions to students' literature and recital programs. ... Read more

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Preface * I. Andante non troppo-Allegro moderato * II. Walzer. Moderato. Tempo di Valse * III. Elegie. Larghetto elegiaco * IV. Finale (Tema Russo) Andante-Allegro con spirito ... Read more

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Designed for students in Levels 3 and 4, this delightful book includes eight arrangements of pieces from Tchaikovsky's celebrated Nutcracker Suite. An engaging storyline, full illustrations, and all the favorite characters from Music for Little Mozarts serve to bring the Nutcracker to life!Titles: Miniature Overture
* March
* Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy
* Russian Dance
* Arabian Dance
* Chinese Dance
* Dance of the Reed Flutes
* Waltz of the Flowers ... Read more

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Tchaikovsky has long intrigued music-lovers as a figure who straddles many borders--between East and West, nationalism and cosmopolitanism, tradition and innovation, tenderness and bombast, masculine and feminine. In this book, through consideration of his music and biography, scholars from several disciplines explore the many sides of Tchaikovsky. The volume presents for the first time in English some of Tchaikovsky's own writings about music, as well as three influential articles, previously available only in German, from the 1993 Tubingen conference commemorating the centennial of Tchaikovsky's death.

Tchaikovsky's distinguished biographer, Alexander Poznansky, reveals new findings from his most recent archival explorations in Kiln, Tchaikovsky's home. Poznansky makes accessible for the first time the full text of perviously censored letters, clarifying issues about the composer's life that until now have remained mere conjecture. Leon Botstein examines the world of realist art that was so influential in Tchaikovsky's day, while Janet Kennedy describes how interpretations of Tchaikovsky's ballet Sleeping Beauty act as a barometer of the aesthetic and even political climate of several generations. Natalia Minibayeva elucidates the First Orchestral Suite as a workshop for Tchaikovsky's composition of large-scale works, including symphony, opera, and ballet, while Susanne Dammann discusses the problematic Fourth Symphony as a work perfectly poised between East and West. Arkadii Klimovitsky considers Tchaikovsky's role as a link between Russia's Golden and Silver Ages. The extensive interaction between music and literature in this period forms the basis for Rosamund Bartlett's essay on creative parallels between Tchaikovsky and Chekhov. Richard Wortman describes the political climate at the end of Tchaikovsky's life, including Alexander III's mania for re-creating seventeenth-century Russian culture. Caryl Emerson, Kadja Grönke, and Leslie Kearney examine a number of issues raised by Tchaikovsky's operas. Marina Kostalevsky translates Nikolai Kashkin's 1899 review of Tchaikovsky's controversial operaOrleanskaia Deva (The Maid of Orleans).

The book concludes with examples of theoretical writing by Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, authors of Russia's first two systematic books on music theory. Lyle Neff translates and provides commentary on compositional issues that Tchaikovsky discusses in personal correspondence, as well as Rimsky-Korsakov's analysis of his own opera Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden). Tchaikovsky and His World will change how we understand the life, works, and intellectual milieu of one of the most important and beloved composers of the nineteenth century.Amazon.com Review
Published in conjunction with the Bard Music Festival, thisbook is a compendium of 14 scholarly, copiously annotated essays thatexamine Tchaikovsky's artistic, literary, and political environment,as well as his personal life. Tchaikovsky and His Worldendeavors to show how the composer's homosexuality impacted his musicand to shed new light on his character. One chapter contends thatthough Tchaikovsky's sexuality may have contributed to his shyness anddiffidence, it caused him no undue suffering, and refutes the myth ofhis suicide. Another presents a translation of previously unknownletters to his brothers that were suppressed first by his family andlater by the Bolshevik government. Their confidential, intimatedisclosures make the reader feel like a trespasser, an intruder.

These new revelations say less about Tchaikovsky than about thepublic's changing attitudes. Older biographers, like the one bydistinguished English critic and scholar Edwin Evans, now out ofprint, attributed Tchaikovsky's depressive, melancholy tendencies tohis Slavic heritage and the early loss of his mother. They found noevidence of his sexuality in his music, unlike some contributors tothis volume. Leslie Kearney, for example, in her analysis ofTchaikovsky's opera The Maid of Orleans, argues that themovingly human heroine of Schiller's play attracted him because heidentified with her "androgynousness."

However, the book's primarily musical articles are interesting andrewarding. Leon Botstein, president of Bard College and a Renaissanceman of boundless erudition, explores nationalism versuscosmopolitanism in Tchaikovsky's music and the paintings of his day,with many beautiful reproductions. The essay is fascinating, but itfails to explain its basic concept--psychological realism inmusic. There is a meticulous analysis of an orchestral suite; animpenetrably abstruse one of the Fourth Symphony in aterrible translation; a delightful account of three balletproductions; and more. --Edith Eisler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You'd be sorry to miss this if you like Tchaikovsky
This book is a collection of the finest essays by principally American scholars who have sought to understand Tchaikovsky, contemporary Russian art and culture and the music.Each essay is sophisticated with lots of sources quoted and the book also has good pictures.It is a concise work and as an edition on Tchaikovsky to be treasured, for it succeeds in embellishing the composer at a critical level, without being a eulogy of him or his music.

Of greatest interest are the essays by Poznansky on Tchaikovsky himself.We are treated to the most intimate details of his sexuality (not all this material was destroyed it seems by his brother) though the treatment is unsalacious and full of objectivity if not humour.These facts emerge from previously untranslated or hitherto unreleased material and represent the latest material emerging about his life.Poznansky shows us that homosexuality at the time was not as much a problem as it is supposed to have been, and that people then were more or less as people are now - not less enlightened in any sense.Attitudes on morality may have shifted since then, but there was also that much more discretion on such matters at the time.

Poznansky unravels the mystery surrounding Tchaikovsky's death authoritatively and though conspiracy theories will still abound, I think the matter is laid to rest.

This is also a celebration of Russia and the greatest flowering of its art and culture, not to mention music under Tchaikovsky.We get treated to essays on Russian painting with some fine copies of the works described, the coronation of the Tsar and on writers like Chekov.

This book is also (along with Poznansky's essays), a psychological dissection into roles of gender in history and myth, with one especially good essay "Tchaikovsky Androgyne".There are also some good essays on musical theory.

Expertly edited, this is a study in scholarship, presentation and warm intelligence.Tchaikovsky emerges unscathed and as grand as ever to those who have sought to know him and his muse. ... Read more

Product Description
Tchaikovsky's Ballets combines a detailed and thorough analysis of the music of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Nutcracker with descriptions of the first productions of these works in Imperial Russia.A background chapter on the ballet audience, the collaboration of composer and balletmaster, and Moscow of the 1860's leads into an account of the first production of Swan Lake in 1877.A discussion of theater reforms initiated by the Director of the Imperial Theaters prepares the reader for a study of the still-famous 1890 St. Petersburg production of Sleeping Beauty.Wiley then explains how the Nutcracker, produced just two years after Sleeping Beauty,was seen in a much less favorable light than it is now. Separate chapters are devoted to the music of each ballet and translations of published libretti, choreographer's instructions to the composer, and the balletmaster's plans for Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker are reproduced in appendices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Tchaikovsky's Ballets
Roland John Wiley's treatise on Tchaikovsky's ballets is the most comprehensive, enlightening and informative dissertation that I have read thus far.While most analyses of the ballets focus on the choreography, Wiley's book provides a complete historical, social and political context that sheds not only new light on the ballets but Tchaikovsky's creativeness as well. Initially, I hesitated getting this book because of its price tag.Reading the book made me immediately realize that it was a must have at any price.
Moreover, I would highly recommend Wiley's 2009 book "Tchaikovsky," which is on a par with David Brown's four-volume work on Tchaikovsky.Both authors provide accurate and detailed objective analyses on both the composer and his music.Do not be put off by the price.This book on Tchaikovsky's ballets is a must have for those who love ballet and Tchaikovsky.

Review of the Book Tchaikovsky's Ballets
This is an excellant source for anyone wishing to stage these ballets. It is also comprehensive in it's detail of the origins of the Ballets ... Read more

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Tchaikovsky Discovers America Teacher's Notes is a comprehensive study in music with connections across the curriculum ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful Teacher's Notes!
Well-researched, easy to use.Written for the classroom teacher but equally useful for the private teacher.You can either follow the book page by page, or choose and pick the amount and kind of information you want to use.
I also own the Teacher's Notes for "Mozart's Magic Fantasy" as well as "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" and "Song of the Unicorn".The amount of reasearch that went into these Notes is quite impressive.They are all wonderful resources and, in my opinion as a private teacher, worth twice the money!

Wonderful introduction to Tchaikovsky's music
This 45 minute tape tells the story of Tchaikovsky's visit to America in 1891, and how he befriends two children. It's part of the excellent Classical Kids series of tapes that introduce children to classical composers. See the Great Tapes for Kids Web site (http://www.greattapes.com) for more information about this and other kids tapes. ... Read more

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The vibrant energy and profound emotions of Tchaikovsy’s swansong, the "Pathétique," have enthralled listenerssince the symphony’s 1893 premiere. This masterwork of lush orchestration and deep melancholy is now available in miniature, a high-quality, convenient, and unabridged reproduction from an authoritative source.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Why would anyone buy this booklet?
Purchasing this book was a waste of money. Any decent bookseller should simply refuse to sell this book: printing quality is terrible, it looks like some original was scanned in low resolution. Apart from the too poor printing quality, the distribution of the bars and notes over the width of the pages is sometimes changing by the bar, completely illogical and unmusical and close to impossible to follow while listening to the music.
With only half a centimeter larger and wider, and just 1 mm in thickness, the slightly more expensive Eulenburg edition is a pleasure to work with, and is thus highly recommended to everyone who might even dare to consider buying this dreadful Dover edition.

Great edition
This edition of the Sixth Symphony is a great one in terms of quality, readability and presentation. The Sixth Symphony is probably one of Tchaikovsky's most famous works. The first movement is such a beautiful and emotional piece of music. The other movements are wonderful too, but I have a weakness for the first one. It is always interesting to read the score - while listening to the music for example - for there are so many details one could simply miss. ... Read more

Product Description
Finest single-volume edition includes authoritative scores of The Seasons, Op. 37; Album for the Young, Op. 39; Ten Characteristic Pieces, Op. 72; Dumka, Op. 59; Valse sentimentale, Op. 51, No. 6; Four Pieces, Op. 40; Theme and Variations, Op. 19, No. 6; plus five early pieces.
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Product Description
From the seasonal classic, includes: Arabian Dance * Chinese Dance * Dance of the Reed Flutes * Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy * March * Overture * Russian Dance * Waltz of the Flowers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a coloring book of Great Composersby David Brownell
This is probably the MOST OFFENSIVE so-called coloring book (of great composers, no less) that I have ever been lured into buying.I hope I can return it.I don't want to contaminate any of my grandchildren.

Since when is a continuous rendition of the various affairs of the composers relevant to their musical ability?Also,to quote one impression attributed to Richard Wagner: " he thought it hilarious that the starving Parisians were forced to eatrats."That remark related to when the Prussians besieged Paris around 1870.

Really, is this what a children's COLORING BOOK IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT?

How can I get my $4.95 back without sacrificing my free shipping that totaled around $28.

A very disgruntled and perhapsFORMER customer of Amazon.

Pat Hackett
(twohax@cox.net) ... Read more

Product Description
This series of biographies presents the great composers against the background of their times. Each draws on personal letters and recollections, engravings, paintings and, when they exist, photographs, to present a complete picture of the composer s life. ... Read more