Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich: A Posthumous Dialogue

Abstract

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich (the august poet K. R.) were linked by many years of friendship and creative cooperation. After the composer’s death (October 25, 1893), K. R. became involved in the process of perpetuating his memory. The posthumous dialogue was manifested in various forms: Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich’s participation in church and secular memorial ceremonies, private commemorations, and his close communication with M.I. Tchaikovsky and V.L. Davydov — the composer’s brother and nephew. In addition, K. R. reexamined his creative and epistolary communication with the composer, whose memory he would pass on to his children. These and other aspects are considered in three sections of the proposed article: 1) “Under the Sign of the Liturgy Op. 41” (this spiritual and musical work runs through the whole life of the Grand Duke); 2) “The Grand Duke and M.I. Tchaikovsky” (a key figure in the “human” aspect); 3) “K. R. Reads ‘The Life of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’” (one of the most important findings was a copy of the book ‘The Life of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’, which belonged to Grand Duke and bears his notes; they retrospectively reflect the process of in-depth family reading). The article is based on documentary materials from Russian and foreign collections (including the State Archive of the Russian Federation and the Library of Congress, USA), many of which are introduced into scientific use for the first time. The article uses methods of comparative source studies. The materials of the article can be used in a course of the history of Russian music, as well as in a modern commented edition of the epistolary heritage and diaries of P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.I. Tchaikovsky and Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich.