The Classical Music Minute

Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto & The Passion Behind It

May 02, 2022 Steven Hobé, Composer & Host Season 1 Episode 53
The Classical Music Minute
Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto & The Passion Behind It
Show Notes Transcript

Description
It was the passionate and sometimes tempestuous relationship between Tchaikovsky and violinist Yosif Kotek that sparked the miraculous creation of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto, a true masterpiece. Join me, Steven Hobé, as we take a minute to get the scoop!

Fun Fact
Although Yosif Kotek and Tchaikovsky were inseparable at one time, due to Kotek’s “unbelievable womanizing” the two fell apart. They would occasionally meet, love had clearly turned into contempt, and they found each other’s company “more unpleasant than pleasant,” and more “tiresome than attractive”. As it happens, contempt turned into pity when Kotek contracted tuberculosis and was sent to Switzerland for treatment. Tchaikovsky rushed to the bedside of his estranged and ailing lover, and dispensed various spiritual and physical comforts for six days. Kotek died, aged 29, and Tchaikovsky was charged with informing Kotek’s parents of their son’s untimely passing.

About Steven
Steven is a Canadian composer living in Toronto. He creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his website for more.

A Note To Music Students et al.
All recordings and sheet music are available on my site. I encourage you to take a look and play through some. Give me a shout if you have any questions.

Got a topic? Pop me off an email at: TCMMPodcast@Gmail.com 

Support the Show.

Following the separation from his wife, Tchaikovsky fled to a small, peaceful Swiss resort village on the shores of Lake Geneva. This allowed him to recover from a feeble attempt at suicide, but it also saw the reunion with his former student and lover, the violinist Yosif Kotek. 

Travelling with his brother Modest, Tchaikovsky met Kotek in Vienna and the three happily took on some scenic travels around Europe. This positive state and renewed passion for Kotek gave Tchaikovsky the inspiration to compose his violin concerto.

Kotek provided technical expertise and within a month, the concerto was finished. Quick work! Writing to his brother Anatoly, the composer rejoiced, “how lovingly [Kotek] busies himself with my concerto! He plays it marvellously!” 

Initially, Tchaikovsky wanted to dedicate the composition to Kotek but feared that it would draw attention to the true nature of his relationship with the violinist. 

Unfortunately, Kotek never forgave Tchaikovsky and when the composer approached him with a peace offering—formally asking him to publicly perform their concerto—he flatly refused.