Robert Schumann wrote a similar book some years earlier, under the same title (Album for the Young).

Since he “only” wrote about 100 pieces for piano, this is very easy to do. The easiest way to do this is to divide his pieces into categories. I like to use all three of these classification systems because not every Tchaikovsky tune is on the RCM syllabus, or the ABRSM syllabus, or on Henle’s website. I’ll also make a few comments on the Henle rating system, since some of you find that helpful. I’ll be using the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) for when I refer to “grades” – ABRSM is similar, it just doesn’t go as high. If you’ve been wanting to learn some Tchaikovsky but don’t know where to start, this should be helpful to you. Tchaikovsky’s piano music tends not to get too difficult, since he wasn’t a virtuoso pianist like some other composers we’ve discussed ( Liszt, Chopin, etc.). In today’s episode of PianoTV, I want to discuss the easiest Tchaikovsky pieces, and the ones to avoid until you’re very skilled.

Tchaikovsky four seasons