Essential in filling out a more humane and complete portrait of the composer and his art.-Jeremy Eichler,
The Boston GlobeThese newly translated documents provide deeper insight both into Tchaikovsky himself, and the family circle and larger society in which he was active.-Rebecca Mitchell,
Canadian-American Slavic StudiesThis English-language version of the ground-breaking original Russian text has been prepared with great skill and care. The notes are particularly admirable, and the translations of the letters and other documents impeccable- Arnold McMillin,
The Slavonic and East European ReviewWinner of the Outstanding Academic Title for 2018 award sponsored by Choice
We are now at home with much that was once taboo about Tchaikovsky-his tsarist loyalties, his homosexuality, how he died. But the Sentimentalism of his letters, its emotional register, still startles the modern reader. This revealing collection helps us see that how one writes letters is only a small part of who one is.-Caryl Emerson, Princeton University
This collection of finely translated letters, documents, and musical mementos moves Tchaikovsky considerably beyond the vapid biographical cliches of yesteryear. Turns out, the genius was also a human being -funny, coarse, germaphobic, borderline alcoholic, with great friends and supportive siblings. Gay? Fine by them.-Simon Morrison, Princeton University
This indispensable volume, containing copious unpublished private correspondence, allows us to gain an unparalleled insight into Tchaikovsky as a human being, and thus move beyond the cliches surrounding the composer's biography. -Rosamund Bartlett, author of Tolstoy: A Russian Life
