Tchaikovsky
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Vladimir Davydov
Vladimir L'vovich Davydov (Владимир Львович Давыдов) was Tchaikovsky's nephew, to whom he was known as Bob (Боб), born on 2/14 December 1871 at Kamenka (Kiev Region), Ukraine, the second son of Lev Davydov and the composer's sister Aleksandra.
From his earliest years Vladimir presented an aptitude for music and drawing, which his uncle attempted to encourage. However, after studying at the Imperial School of Jurisprudence in Saint Petersburg, he then opted for a military career, retiring as a lieutenant from the Imperial Preobrazhenskii Regiment in 1900.
Vladimir Davydov was Tchaikovsky's favourite nephew, and he dedicated to him the Children's Album for piano, Op. 39 (1878) and his Symphony No. 6 ("Pathétique"), Op. 74 (1893). Under the terms of his uncle's will, Vladimir inherited all the royalties from the composer's works, which he used to help establish the Tchaikovsky House-Museum at Klin, with assistance from Modest Tchaikovsky and Aleksei Sofronov.
Vladimir Davydov committed suicide on 14/27 December 1906, aged 35, at the composer’s former home at Klin. He is buried at the Dem'ianovo Cemetery in the town.
Vladimir Davydov (right) with his uncle in 1893.