Nadezhda von Meck - Definition

Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck Born 1831 was a wealthy Russian widow best known for her relationship with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. She was also active in providing financial support to Nikolay Rubinstein, Claude Debussy, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Early Life

Born into the Frolovsky family which had large landholdings. From an early age her father Filaret Frolovsky embraced a love of music. In 1847 she married Karl von Meck. Together they had 18 children of whom 11 survived into adulthood.

Business Success of Karl Von Meck

In the years following their marriage Mr. Von Meck ended up becoming a multimillionare though his work in the railroad industry. Unfortunately Mr. Von Meck died in 1871 leaving Ms. Von Meck in charge is his vast financial holdings. Which in turn allowed her to become a major patron for the arts.

Support of the Performing Arts

In the years following Mr. Von Meck's death she became increasingly involved in supporting the performing arts through providing financial support to composers such as Nikolay Rubinstein, and Claude Debussy.

Relationship with Tchaikovsky

In 1877 she began a platonic relationship Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky despite her insistence on the two not meeting the two carried on a signficant correspondence which lasted until 1890. As their relationship developed she subsequently provided him with a financial allowance large enough so that he could leave his professorship at the Moscow Conservatory to focus on his creative work full time. Her feedback became so important to Tchaikovsky that after the critics lambasted his 5th Symphony she provided him with the perserverance to carry forward.

Dedication to Nadezhda von Meck

Tchaikovsky as a sign of appreciation dedicated his fourth symphony, and Pokhoronnyi march to her.

Books

• (1993)
• (1975)

References

• The Invisible Muse by Poznansky, Alexander (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/tchaikovsky4/index.html)
  • essay 1 (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/tchaikovsky4/essay1.html)
• Letter on Tchaikowsky's 4th symphony (http://www.tchaikovsky.host.sk/vonmeck.htm)
• html New York Philharmonic Notes on Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony' (http://newyorkphilharmonic.org/programNotes/Tchaikovsky_SymphonyNo5.pdf)
• Los Angeles Philharmonic Notes on Tchaikovsky's Dumka for piano, Op. 59 By Hiroshima, Grant (http://www.laphil.org/resources/piece_detail.cfm?id=979.html)