Tchaikovsky, Piotr Ilyitch
* Born: Votkinsk, 7 May 1840
* Died: St. Petersburg, 6 November 1893
Tchaikovsky is probably most famous for ballet music (The Nutcracker Suite, Swan Lake and the like) and the 1812 Overture. However, his work in the standard forms is definitely worth a listen. I have heard the violin concerto and the Pathétique symphony live, and these are both great works. The first piano concerto with its initial crashing chords is also very famous.
There is still some controversy over the nature of Tchaikovsky’s death. It happened very suddenly without much warning, and it has been speculated that Tchaikovsky committed suicide.