Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky
Twelve Pieces
Op. 40

About Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky's Twelve Pieces

Early editions of this collection carried the title Douze pièces de difficulté moyenne pour piano, Twelve Pieces of Medium Difficulty, indicating their suitability for the amateur market. They were written between 1876 and 1878, years that also brought plenty of complications in Tchaikovsky's private life. In 1877 he married Antonina Milyukova, but quickly realized that he had made a grave mistake. Only weeks later, he faked a nervous breakdown and sought refuge abroad. Tchaikovsky was forced to admit that his plan to enhance his social and personal stability through marriage had failed, and that his homosexuality could not be changed but had to be accepted. His sister Sasha first took Antonina's side but eventually welcomed her brother to her estate at Kamenka, where these pieces were completed in April 1878.

ID:279
Preview TitleKey Year Level
1. Etude Op. 40 No. 1 in G Major by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAB 1. Etude 23 G Major 1878 8
2. Sad Song Op. 40 No. 2 in B-flat Major by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAC 2. Sad Song 33 B-flat Major 1878 5
3. Funeral March Op. 40 No. 3 in C Minor by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAD 3. Funeral March 2 C Minor 1878 7
4. Mazurka Op. 40 No. 4 in C Major by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAE 4. Mazurka 1 C Major 1878 7
5. Mazurka Op. 40 No. 5 in D Major by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAF 5. Mazurka 7 D Major 1878 7
6. Song Without words Op. 40 No. 6 in A Minor by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAG 6. Song Without words 30 A Minor 1878 5
7. In the Village Op. 40 No. 7 in A Minor by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAH 7. In the Village 30 A Minor 1878 8
8. Waltz Op. 40 No. 8 in A-flat Major by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAI 8. Waltz 27 A-flat Major 1878 7
9. Waltz Op. 40 No. 9 in F-sharp Minor by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAJ 9. Waltz 20 F-sharp Minor 1878 7
10. Russian Dance Op. 40 No. 10 in A Minor by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAK 10. Russian Dance 30 A Minor 1878 7
11. Scherzo Op. 40 No. 11 in D Minor by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAL 11. Scherzo 8 D Minor 1878 8
12. Rêverie interrompue Op. 40 No. 12 in A-flat Major by Tchaikovsky piano sheet music AAM 12. Rêverie interrompue 27 A-flat Major 1878 7