Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky fact sheet for kids
A free printable fact sheet about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 to 1893): quick facts, a short life story, three pieces to hear, and room to write and draw.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky lived from 1840 to 1893. Tchaikovsky trained for a government job before he studied music. He became the best-known composer in Russia. His ballets are danced all over the world.
How to use this sheet
Read the story at the top out loud. Then play the first piece on the list. The line under each title says what to listen for. Tick the box when the piece ends.
Play the other two pieces on other days. One piece at a time is enough. At the end of the week, the child writes what they heard and draws a picture. Search the composer's name and the title on any streaming service or at a library.
For more on the life and the music, read our guide: Tchaikovsky for kids.
Only the sheet below prints. It fits letter and A4 paper. For a clean page, turn off headers and footers in the print window.
Composer fact sheet
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1840 to 1893 · Russia · Romantic era
Quick facts
Born: 1840, Votkinsk, Russia
Died: 1893, St. Petersburg, Russia
Played: Piano
Era: Romantic, about 1820 to 1900
The story in short
Tchaikovsky trained for a government job before he studied music. He became the best-known composer in Russia. His ballets are danced all over the world.
A fact to remember
He wrote three famous ballets: Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.
Listen to these
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
A bell-like instrument, the celesta, plays the tune.
Waltz of the Flowers
A harp opens, then horns play a swaying tune.
Dance of the Little Swans, from Swan Lake
Bassoons bounce while oboes play a quick, neat tune.
What I heard
Draw the music
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky fact sheetkidsclassicalmusic.com
Goes well with
- Tchaikovsky for kids: the full guide for parents
- All 24 composer fact sheets
- Composer timeline
- Composer study notebook page
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