Tchaikovsky
www.tchaikovsky-research.net

Aleksei Sofronov (1859–1925)

Aleksei Sofronov

Long-time servant of the composer (b. 1859 in Klin; d. 1925), born Aleksei Ivanovich Sofronov (Алексей Иванович Софронов, Aleksej Ivanovič Sofronov, Alexey Ivanovich Sofronov)

In 1871 Aleksei first stood in for his older brother Mikhail (1848–1932) as Tchaikovsky's servant in Moscow. After Mikhail left Tchaikovsky's service in 1877, Aleksei stayed on to serve the composer for the rest of his days. Tchaikovsky became very attached to Aleksei, who was always staunchly loyal to his master, and helped to found the memorial museum at Klin after the composer's death.

Tchaikovsky was also godfather to Aleksei's son Georgiii (b. 1892), by his second wife Ekaterina (b. 1873).

Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Aleksei Sofronov:

• 117 letters from Tchaikovsky to Aleksei Sofronov have survived, dating from 1875 to 1893.