Tchaikovsky
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Mikhail Mikeshin

Mikhail Osipovich Mikeshin (Михайл Осирович Микешин) was a Russian artist, sculptor and writer, born at Roslavl', near Smolensk, on 9/21 February 1835.

A student of the Imperial Academy of Arts from 1852 to 1858, his pictures of historical scenes won him the admiration of Russian royalty, and he was a tutor to junior members of the imperial family. His first major sculptural work was the Millennium of Russia at Novgorod (1859). From 1876 to 1878 he also edited a satirical magazine The Bee (Пчела)

When Mikeshin met Tchaikovsky in the Russian capital in September 1893, the composer agreed to write a March based on two folk-tunes suggested by Mikeshin, although this was not accomplished before Tchaikovsky's death the next month.

Mikhail Mikeshin died in Saint Petersburg on 19/31 January 1896, aged 60.