Tchaikovsky

The tumultuous life of the Russian composer who gave the world inspired symphonies but who suffered from headaches, fits of weeping, and morbid shyness. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's early marriage ended in disaster and led to a suicide attempt. He had another odd relationship with a widow who subsidized him on the condition that they never meet. They did come face-to-face once, but turned away from each other without saying a word. A week after the premiere of his Nutcracker Suite, he died from cholera. Some believe he was poisoned to prevent revelation of a homosexual scandal.

• documentary