On 16 May 1891 in Washington, Tchaikovsky attended a chamber concert at the Russian Embassy. His Piano Trio was performed, and the musical quotation is from it.
@Balancement It's interesting that almost all of the critics' comments cited come from the 1930s to the 1980s. Does anyone know of any more recent studies of T's works for piano and orchestra?
According to the New York Philharmonic Society programme for 22 April 1876, this was the American premiere of Tchaikovsky's 'Romeo and Juliet' (in any version). However, @TchaikResearch credits an orchestra conducted by Hans von Bulow at Steinway Hall, five days before!
Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' premiered 17/29 March 1879 at Moscow's Maly Theatre. This was by no means grand opera, and it was Tchaikovsky's preference to present his "lyrical scenes" on a smaller intimate stage and to use Conservatory students instead of professional singers.
Tchaikovsky's First String Quartet premiered 16(28) March 1871 in Moscow. It was hastily written for a chamber concert of his works, as the cost of an orchestra was beyond his means.
Tchaikovsky's ground-breaking ballet 'Swan Lake' premiered 20 Feb/4 March 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre. Polina Karpakova wasn't the first choice for the role of Odette, but was due for a benefit. Modest Tchaikovsky reported an absence of outstanding performers in the production.