An early-morning wakeup call
On a trip to Rome, Tchaikovsky's hotel was next door to a cavalry barracks. Every morning, the company bugler would wake everyone up, including Tchaikovsky, with a bugle call. That musical alarm clock found its way into his "Italian Capriccio," along with songs from street vendors, and lots of other local color. Today, the Hungarian Symphony performs the "Italian Capriccio" in Budapest.