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debbieklann
Sharpshooter/Schoolmarm
798 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
798 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 30 2026 : 2:40:25 PM
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I have been working on badges this winter. For the music badge, we need to research and compare a classical composer and a musician from the past century. I chose Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sir Elton John, namely because I love both of their music and I wondered what, if any, they would have in common!
Tchaikovsky was born in western Russian in 1840 and John in London in 1947, almost a 100 years apart. Both learned to play piano at an early age. Tchaikovsky took private piano lessons and had a high sense of melody. He joined the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1862 and studied composition. He graduated in 4 years and became a teacher of harmony at the Moscow Conservatory and taught there until 1878. After this, he concentrated on composing.
John learned to play early, as well, and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. He showed great musical aptitude and ability to compose melodies.
Tchaikovsky's first operas were unsuccessful, as were John's first songwriting attempts, both being known to throw away scores of music. After Romeo and Juliet and John's first album in 1969, their careers began to take off. Both were successful in the theater and toured extensively in Europe and the US.
Tchaikovsky greatly admired Mozart and Mendelssohn and John, Chopin and Bach. Both were songwriters and pianists. Both struggled with their own personal demons. Tchaikovsky was a moody character, shy and nervous. His cause of death is unknown.
John is 79 today and is one of the best selling music artists of all time, selling over 300 million records.
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl of the Year
"Well behaved women seldom make history"....Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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Music Badge
