Musicology Annotation << Back Paradoxes of the Last Period of Life and Creativity Tchaikovsky or Trends of "Pre-Symbolism" Frolov Sergey V. The innovations of the last period of Tchaikovsky’s work are caused by his impressions of the touring trip of the winter of 1887-1888, when he became closely acquainted with modern European composers, and among them Brahms. Tchaikovsky experiences the strongest impressions of their music and the fact of his recognition in Europe, both by the public and by musicians. Now he writes music regardless of someone’s private opinions, answering the requests of the era and the requirements of his own genius. Thanks to this, he enters the advanced positions of style searches and is included in the growing trends of Russian pre-symbolism. The most striking achievements of updating his work are the incarnations of new musical drama in such landmark works as the opera Queen of Spades, the ballet The Nutcracker and the Sixth Symphony. Keywords: Tchaikovsky, tour 1887, Brahms, artistic and stylistic paradoxes, pre-symbolism. DOI: 10.25791/musicology.5.2022.1249 Pp. 14-28.