Who wrote the music for "The Nutcracker Ballet?"

In the late 1800’s, the Russian born composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, wrote the music for “The Nutcracker Ballet.” The ballet, with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s musical elements was first performed in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Tchaikovsky spent his whole life dedicated to music, first studying the piano. He matriculated at the Russian Music Society before studying at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Later, while teaching at the Moscow Conservatory he wrote many musical compositions including symphonies and concertos. It was not until he was nearing the end of his life that he wrote the musical accompaniment to this ballet that became a Christmas tradition with its overture being recognized around the world. Over the years the ballet, with Tchaikovsky's musical score, has been performed each holiday season by ballet companines large and small.