In the new book by Z. Ageeva, based on the memoirs of her contemporaries, the appearance of the great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is reproduced. Even those who are far from the world of music know and love his work since childhood, thanks to the unique music written by the composer for Hoffmann’s immortal fairy tale “The Nutcracker.” The author touchingly talks about the creative development of the genius of Russian musical art, about his personal life and the symptoms of his mental illness. The book is intended for a wide range of readers, and primarily those who are connoisseurs of music and creativity of P.I. Tchaikovsky.