About this season
Conductor Charles Hazlewood journeys to Russia in search of clues to uncover secrets to the enigmatic and masterful composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose life has been heavily shrouded in mystery.
Episodes (2)
1. The Creation of Genius
Aired 27 January 2007
Charles Hazlewood presents the first in a two-part docudrama recreating key moments in the life of the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893). Ed Stoppard stars in the title role, while Alice Glover plays his wife Antonina Milyukova. Excerpts from "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Sleeping Beauty" are performed by the Mariinsky Young Philharmonic, conducted by Charles Hazlewood. Performers include Natasha Paremsky, Sasha Sitkovetsky, Irina Matayeva, Uliana Lopatkina and Ilya Kuznetsev.
2. Fortune and Tragedy
Aired 3 February 2007
The story of the composer's life continues with his disastrous decision to wed Antonina Milyukova and his affair with Joseph Kotek, which followed three months later. The programme concludes with his death and the debate concerning whether the cause was cholera or suicide. Charles Hazlewood conducts the Mariinsky Young Philharmonic, and the talented Russian Sasha Sitkovetsky performs Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.