On Aesthetic Characters Of The Four Seasons By Tchaikovsky

Peter Ilitch Tchaikovsky was the greatest composer in Russian history. He was also the master of Russian folk music as well as west European classic music. His studies on piano and composing started from his teenage. In 1862, he had the chance of studying composing in the Conservatory of St. Petersberg, and stated his teaching career in Conservatory of Moscow after the graduation. His music was based on folk songs and dances, and this was the reason why his music was so characterized with the breath of common life. We can clearly observe the strong national consciousness and spirits of democracy throughout his producing activities. His works were always with rhythm elegancy, which could be understood without difficulties. And at the same time, his music was always the portraiture of the society by the deepness. Though his masterpieces, we have to admit, Tchaikovsky was not only a mirror of realism and romanticism, but also a master who describes the psychology by the power of his music.After 60's of 19th century, when the music of west Europe marched its way to a brand new direction, the Russian music started his awareness as the initial stage. All cultural styles form west Europe were absorbed greedily, the romanticism of west Europe and Russian national passions were merged into each other. All these changes raised the romanticism to a higher level. The Russian musicians made references from the piano creation and performances of those from West Europe, and grounded the local music under the light of it. The Four Seasons, the piano combination by Tchaikovsky, was born in this era. The Four Seasons, took the four seasons of a year as a background, showing the passions and thoughts to human race and nature of the author, through the describing on the nature itself. The work also reflected the sprit aspects of Russian civilization especially the intelligence groups in the age of Czar Autarchy, at later stage of 19th century. This article explains the genres of Russian folk music and related cultural and mentality issues, which were involved in this master piece of Tchaikovsky. The article also compares this work with other Russian musicians at the same age, creates a discussion on the art characteristics of the Four Seasons by Tchaikovsky.