Tchaikovsky, one year before The Nutcracker, was the first well-known composer to make substantial use of the celesta in his symphonic poem The Voyevoda. The work had been commissioned by the Russian Imperial Ballet and had its premiere on November 21, 1882, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Tchaikovsky used the celesta to great effect in this ballet score. The instrument's deep tones are particularly useful in portraying the call to battle that opens the work. There are several other passages where the celesta is employed extensively, most notably the "Dance of the Sugar Beets" scene. This piece has become a favorite among students who play the piano for its difficult keyboard figurations. Tchaikovsky died in 1883 at the age of 37 after collapsing during a performance of his own work at the Bolshoi Theatre. He is now considered the father of the modern orchestra because he developed many techniques that are still used today. Among these are the use of double basses, brass instruments, and percussion. Tchaikovsky left no children and was an alcoholic, so his ideas went into effect right away after his death.