It was an unqualified triumph when performed for the first time on April 24, 1801. As in the Vivaldi, the seasons begin with spring, and tell the same basic story. For one thing, he gives us a ballet, and for another, it begins with winter. Not surprisingly, he writes of frost, ice, hail and snow. Spring follows, thankfully, with flowers, birds and breezes.
Summer has two sides.
One is colorful flowers and golden sheaves of grain, the other is the naiads, fauns and satyrs that frolic among them. Autumn is characterized by more wine and a good harvest. A final segment brings all the seasons together again, midst falling leaves - that expose the starry skies above. In 1876, the St. Petersburg magazine, Nuvellist , commissioned the young composer to provide a piece of music to illustrate the months of the year - and which would be published in the pages of the magazine. Intended for younger students of the piano, Tchaikovsky paid little attention to them, sometimes needing to be reminded by his servant that 'it is that time again.