Famous Composers: The Life and Work of Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky - DVD

Stravinsky was born into a musical family in the little town of Lermontov near St Petersburg. His father was principal bass singer at the opera there, so music was part of his life. He studied at the St Petersburg conservatioire under Rimsky Korsakov and was soon making an impression with his compositions. He had early successes with his ballet music for Diaghilev and over a long and productive life went on to become arguably the greatest composer of the twentieth century. The video traces his eventful life and ends with a brief overview of his compositions.

Puccini was born in Lucca in Italy to a musical family and went on to write some of the best loved operas of all time. This film by Malcolm Hossick traces his interesting life and is followed by an overview of his work. Born in the beautiful old Tuscan city of Lucca in 1858 you could argue Puccini was destined to be a composer. For generations his family had been at the centre of musical life in the city. Few could have prophesied the phenomenal success he enjoyed in his day and his works are still as popular as ever. This film by Malcolm Hossick film traces his interesting and eventful life and is followed by an overview of his work.

The Polish composer Frederic Chopin is unique in that he composed almost exclusively for his own instrument, the piano. As a pianist he was self taught and had an astonishing talent for improvisation. As a composer he was a perfectionist in the classical mould and his wonderful compositions ensure that he is one of the best loved names in world music. The DVD traces his short life and includes an overview of his musical works.