AllMovie

The biographical documentary Tchaikovsky - on the life and work of the titular Russian composer - springs from conductor Charles Hazlewood's conviction that Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky has often received short shrift from music historians because of his personality and demeanor, and that his musical reputation has fallen somewhat. These trends have shifted the focus toward Tchaikovsky's personal life and away from his work. With Tchaikovsky, Hazlewood tries to rectify that with an eye-opening trip to Russia in search of the "real" story behind this evasive figure. En route, Hazlewood provides some key insights into the compositional genius of Tchaikovsky's work.