On September 17, the virtual platform of the Russian House in Brussels hosted an event of the project “With Russian Roots,” organized by the Russian House in Brussels and the Institute of Heritage’s project “Living Memory Heritage,” dedicated to the Tchaikovsky and von Meck dynasties.
A representative of the Tchaikovsky and von Meck dynasties, collector, and founder of the von Meck Foundation, Denis Andreevich von Meck, addressed the participants.
Welcome speeches were delivered by the Deputy Director for Research at the Institute of Heritage, Alexander Vasilyevich Okorokov, the Head of the Russian House in Brussels, Vera Georgievna Bunina, the Advisor of the Department for the Preservation of Historical Heritage, Gennady Andreevich Rogalyov, and the Head of the Family and Lineage Heritage Center of the Institute of Heritage, author and curator of the “Living Memory Heritage” project, Darya Yakovlevna Romanova.
They emphasized the significance of addressing the unique heritage of the Tchaikovsky and von Meck dynasties and noted the need for further cooperation in promoting outstanding examples of Russian families and lineages. The legacy of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is colossal — 10 operas, 3 ballets, 7 symphonies, over 100 romances, and many other beautiful works across all known genres of classical music. A rich epistolary heritage of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky has been preserved, particularly with his brothers and sister Alexandra.
One of the significant figures in P. I. Tchaikovsky’s life was Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck, his closest friend and main patron, with whom he had an unusual friendship. For almost 14 years, they corresponded, but despite many opportunities, by mutual agreement, they never met in person.
As a result, their communication, preserved in documents (1,220 letters), is studied by historians and musicologists, presented in numerous reprints, and translated into several languages, either partially or in full. As a result of their long friendship and exceptionally trusting relationship, they decided to become related by marriage; Nadezhda Filaretovna’s son, Nikolai, married P.I. Tchaikovsky’s niece, Anna. They are the great-great-grandparents of D. A. von Meck. P. I. Tchaikovsky wrote to Nadezhda Filaretovna: “Kolya and Anna delight everyone with their happiness and touching mutual love.”
- A. von Meck also spoke about cultural heritage sites in Russia and abroad related to the lives and activities of his ancestors — public buildings, homes, estates, and churches. He also discussed philanthropy and patronage, their literary and musical heritage, contributions to various art forms, and the family icons of the Tchaikovskys and von Mecks.
