Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's brilliant ability for composition emerged at a relatively late age. He began studying music after graduating in Jurisprudence at the age of 19. His progress was so rapid that he became a professor of harmony one year after obtaining his music degree from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. By the time he was thirty, he had already composed many highly regarded works. His ability to enjoy his success was hampered by extreme emotional anxiety, due to lack of personal and social acceptance for his homosexuality. He died at the age of 53, after a life filled with anguish. For more information on this wonderful composer, consult the web resources provided.