tchaikovsky's interest in setting the tale reaches back to 1867. it was then that he wrote a little ballet on the story for the children of his sister alexandra davydova. he had done the same for "swan lake". in november 1888, he had a conference with theater officials and petipa. a draft of the scenario was drawn up. petipa provided tchaikovsky with a detailed analysis of the musical requirements. the composer set to work, and finished the score on 1 september 1889.