Tchaikovsky: His Life and Times All through his life, Tchaikovsky was tormented by his imaginary horrors. Yet while suffering psychological terror, Tchaikovsky was a musical genius. This is his story. Peter Llyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 07,1840 in Russia. He had a younger brother, Modest, whom in later years Tchaikovsky wrote many letters to. His letters told us most of what we know about Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky was manic depressive. Slanderous critics may have contributed to his psychological dismay. His reviews were hardly ever in his favor. Tchaikovsky was composer of six symphonies, ballets and operas. His