Tchaikovsky
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Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich (1858–1915) |
Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich
Russian Grand Duke (b. 10/22 August 1858 in Strelna; d. 2/15 June 1915 in Pavlovsk), born Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov (Константин Константинович Романов); also known as Grand Duke Constantine Constantinovich, or by his literary cipher "K. R." (К. Р.).
His Imperial Highness Konstantin Konstantinovich was the second son of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich (1827–1892) and his wife Aleksandra Iosifovna (1830–1911)—the daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Altenburg—and a grandson of Russian Emperor Nicholas I.
After serving with the Imperial Fleet, Konstantin Konstantinovich joined the Izmaylovsky Regiment of the Imperial Guard, where he served with distinction. He took a great interest in literature, art and music, and became a poet and playwright of some renown under his nom-de-plume "K. R." (in Russian: "К. Р."). He was also an able pianist, and became the Vice-President of the Russian Musical Society in 1892, and the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1899.
In 1884 he married his second cousin, Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg, who became the Grand Duchess Yelizaveta Mavrikievna (1865–1927), with whom he had nine children.
Tchaikovsky was introduced to the Grand Duke at a soirée given by Vera Butakova in Saint Petersburg on 19/31 March 1880, and they maintained a significant correspondence throughout the composer's remaining years
Tchaikovsky's works dedicated to Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich:
- Six Romances, Op. 63 (1887).
Tchaikovsky's settings of texts by Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich:
- Six Romances, Op. 63 (1887)
- Blessed is He Who Smiles, TH 83 (1887).
Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich:
- 30 letters from Tchaikovsky to Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich have survived, dating from 1886 to 1893.
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