In an in-depth interview, Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with former ITN journalist, ClassicFM host, and biographer John Suchet discusses his transition from journalism to classical music as a career because of his connection to Tchaikovsky's music. He shares his initial love for Tchaikovsky's melodies, developing an understanding of music through learning jazz trombone, and his eventual passion for writing about classical music composers. John touches upon Tchaikovsky's struggle with his identity and homosexuality, and how it influenced his symphonic works. Additionally, he considers the debate about Tchaikovsky's dubious death and the bizarre relationship that Tchaikovsky had with Nadezhda von Meck, his best-known patroness. John believes his approach to understanding music is through the man and not the music, and shares never before heard anecdotes about Tchaikovsky’s relationships with other men. 

00:00 Introduction and Early Life

00:16 Transition into Classical Music

00:34 Tchaikovsky's Early Musical Journey

01:49 Tchaikovsky's Career in Journalism

02:57 Tchaikovsky's Love for Classical Music

03:43 Tchaikovsky's Writing Career

04:13 Tchaikovsky's Love for Other Composers

05:47 Tchaikovsky's Self Doubt

08:13 Tchaikovsky's Struggles with Homosexuality

10:27 Tchaikovsky's Marriage and its Impact

11:57 Tchaikovsky's Influence and Legacy

28:28 Tchaikovsky's Death and its Controversy

38:47 Conclusion: Tchaikovsky's Enduring Impact

As the host of The Classic FM Concert with John Suchet for 12 years, John Suchet is a household voice in classical music and broadcasting. Before his career at Classic FM, John was celebrated as one of the nation's foremost reporters and newscasters. At ITN, he covered pivotal global events such as the Iranian Revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Philippines Revolution. He has earned accolades including Television Reporter of the Year and Television Newscaster of the Year. In 2008, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Television Society, marking his remarkable career spanning nearly four decades in television news.

John's lifelong passion for classical music, particularly the works of Beethoven, has been a driving force in his life. He authored seven books focusing on the legendary composer, with his latest publication, a special 250th anniversary edition of "Beethoven — The Man Revealed," released in 2020. His dedication to promoting classical music earned him prestigious honors such as an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Dundee and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Music. He has also authored books on Verdi, the Strausses, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky, the Man Revealed, which is the subject of today’s discussion.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony. Thanks to John Suchet for sharing his wealth of knowledge. You can find more info at JohnSuchet.co.uk  and pick up a copy of Tchaikovsky The Man Reveals, and other books by great composers of John’s wherever you get your books. Musical selections on this episode today include Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony by the Berlin Phil, Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony by Vienna Phil and Herbert von Karajan,, Strauss’s Blue Danube Waltz by the Vienna Phil and Willi Boskovsky, Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from Three Suites by Duke Ellington, Tchaikovsky’s First String Quartet by the Emerson String Quartet, and the Nutcracker by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

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