Tchaikovsky
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Aleksey Sofronov (1859–1925)

Aleksey Sofronov

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

In 1871 Aleksey first stood in for his older brother Mikhail (1848–1932) as Tchaikovsky's servant in Moscow. After Mikhail left Tchaikovsky's service in 1877, Aleksey stayed on to serve the composer for the rest of his days. Tchaikovsky became very attached to Aleksey, 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 Aleksey's son Georgy (b. 1892), by his second wife Yekaterina (b. 1873).

Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Aleksey Sofronov:

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