Childhood
In 1843, Tchaikovsky's parents hired Fanny Durbach, a French governess, to teach Nikolai and a niece of the family. It was thought that Tchaikovsky would be too young to learn at the time, but his persistence proved otherwise and by age six he was speaking fluent French and German.
Tchaikovsky began taking piano lessons at the age of five. By the time he was eight, he was able to read music just as well as his teacher. In 1850, however, his parents decided to send him to the Imperial School of Jurisprudence in St. Petersburg, which was a school for law before it was shut down in 1917.
Since both his parents graduated from an institute, they wanted him to be taught the same way they were. When Tchaikovsky applied to the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, he was two years below the minimum age, so he was sent to a boarding school 1300 km away from his family.
Tchaikovsky began taking piano lessons at the age of five. By the time he was eight, he was able to read music just as well as his teacher. In 1850, however, his parents decided to send him to the Imperial School of Jurisprudence in St. Petersburg, which was a school for law before it was shut down in 1917.
Since both his parents graduated from an institute, they wanted him to be taught the same way they were. When Tchaikovsky applied to the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, he was two years below the minimum age, so he was sent to a boarding school 1300 km away from his family.