American Toby Jug Museum 

Tchaikovsky character jug modeled by Stanley J. Taylor and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, between 1996 and 2001. Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was the first Russian composer to gain international fame. He was a master of orchestration with a superb talent for blending instrumental sounds and for achieving rousing orchestral effects. He also had a remarkable gift for writing melody. Often described as a “Westerner” among Russian composers, he was the first Russian to write polished music in the Western manner and the first to win widespread popularity outside Russia. Born in Votkinsk, Tchaikovsky studied law in St. Petersburg, then music at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Anton Rubenstein. While he was teaching at the Moscow Conservatory, a wealthy widow commissioned some of his works, admired his music and agreed to support him. Assured of an income, he concentrated on composing. He traveled widely, and in 1891 took part in the opening of Carnegie Hall in New York City. Tchaikovsky’s six symphonies stand out as landmarks in his artistic development. His three ballets have become classics: "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Nutcracker". He also wrote spirited music, as in "Marche Slave" and the "1812 Overture", the latter now a traditional season finale in summer music festivals throughout America. A swan and the score from "Swan Lake" form the handle of the jug.