1870-1871
1. Op. 9. Three pianoforte pieces, (1) “Rêverie,” dedicated to N. Murometz. (2) “Polka de Salon,” dedicated to A. Zograf. (3) “Mazurka de Salon,” dedicated to A. L. Dubuque.
2. Song, “So schnell vergessen,” words by Apukhtin. This and the above works were composed before October 26th (November 7th), 1870, and published by Jurgenson, Moscow.
3. “Nature and Love.” Trio for two sopranos and one contralto, with chorus and pianoforte accompaniment; dedicated to Madame Valzek. It was composed in December expressly for this lady’s pupils, and performed for the first time at Tchaikovsky’s concert on March 16th (28th), 1871. It was published by Jurgenson after the composer’s death.
4. Op. 11. Quartet No. 1 (D major), for two violins, viola, and violoncello. Dedicated to Serge Rachinsky. Composed during February, 1871, and first performed at the composer’s concert, March 16th (28th), 1871. The Andante of this quartet is based on a Russian folksong which Tchaikovsky wrote down at Kamenka in the summer of 1869. It was sung in Great Russian by a man who was working outside the room in which he was engaged in orchestrating his Undine.
5. A Course of Harmony, completed during the summer at Nizy. Jurgenson.
Besides the above, Tchaikovsky was working during the whole of this period on his opera, The Oprichnik.
1871-1872
1. Op. 10. Two pianoforte pieces: “Nocturne” and “Humoresque.” Probably composed in December, 1871, during his stay at Nice. Part of the second piece consists of a French popular song. These pieces are both dedicated to Vladimir Shilovsky.
2. Cantata for chorus, orchestra, and tenor solo. Text by Polonsky. Composed during February and March, 1872. Performed May 31st (June 12th), 1872, under the conductorship of K. Davidov. The manuscript of the score is in the library of the Imperial Opera House, Moscow.