Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) created some of the most popular themes in all of classical music. The power and communicative sweep of his best music elevates it to classic status. The unique charm of Tchaikovsky’s melodies often makes his music sound familiar on first hearing, whether in his Piano Concerto No. 1 or The Nutcracker.

While not part of the nationalistic music group known as "The Five", Tchaikovsky wrote music which was distinctly Russian.  He felt that his professionalism in combining skill and high standards in his musical works separated him from his colleagues in "The Five." While he shared several of their ideals, including an emphasis on national character in music, his goal was to link those ideals with a professional standard high enough to satisfy European criteria. His professionalism also fueled his desire to reach a broad public, not just nationally but also internationally, which he would eventually do.

Tchaikovsky is perhaps most well-known for his ballet The Nutcracker, as well as the opera Eugene Onegin and the 1812 Overture.