Tchaikovsky
www.tchaikovsky-research.net
Vladimir L'vovich Davydov
Владимир Львович Давыдов
Nephew of the composer (to whom he was known as "Bob"). Born on 2/14 December 1871 at Kamenka (Kiev Region), Ukraine, the second son of Lev Vasil'evich DAVYDOV and his wife Aleksandra Il'inichna (b. TCHAIKOVSKAIA).
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 miliatary 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 Klin.
Vladimir Davydov (right) with his uncle in 1893.