Even those of us who are very far from classical music can recognize at least a few works by P.I. Tchaikovsky by hearing them by accident. The music of this composer accompanies us since childhood: first it is "Seasons", then "Snow Maiden", and then the time comes to show interest in the international competition. P.I. Tchaikovsky for Russia is more than a great composer. His music coincides with the Russian genetic code, and therefore its significance for Russians is difficult to overestimate. That is why in 2007 the museum "PI Tchaikovsky and Moscow" was opened in one of the former old mansions on Kudrinskaya Square. The building was not chosen by chance: the composer lived here for a year, and many of his works, which later became world famous - “The Storm”, “The Snow Maiden” - were created here.
The history of the Moscow estate
The year 2007 of the opening of the Tchaikovsky and Moscow Museum was 2007, that is, 167 years have passed since the composer's birth. P.I. Tchaikovsky did not have his own housing in Moscow, so he often had to use rented apartments. However, apart from the old Moscow mansion on Kudrinskaya Square, which now houses the Cultural Center of P.I. Tchaikovsky, not one of the buildings in which the composer lived was preserved.
As for the estate dating back to the 19th century, it underwent numerous rebuildings starting in 1812, when all the wooden buildings of Moscow were almost burnt out, and brick mansions were built in their place. And this building that reached us was built almost from scratch in the area between Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street and Povarskaya Street. Its first owner was Alexei Kondratievich Koptev.
The estate, one might say, was lucky: it survived to the end of the 20th century without significant changes. This architectural monument consisted of two buildings: the main one of them was facing the Bolshaya Nikitskaya street, and the other part - on Povarskaya. In this two-story building on the second floor there were three rooms that Tchaikovsky had been renting for more than a year since the beginning of autumn 1872. Perhaps, while working on the “Snow Maiden” or on the score of the second symphony, the composer could see Kudrinskaya Square from the windows of his apartment.
The beginning of the Moscow period
P.I. Tchaikovsky graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1865. His talent was noticed and appreciated - a silver medal, and therefore it is not surprising that the composer was invited as a teacher to the Moscow Conservatory. So began his Moscow period, during which 8 transfers from apartment to apartment took place.
When Pyotr Ilyich rented a house on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street overlooking Kudrinskaya Square, the old-timers still remembered that this area was located on the site of the village of Kudrino. By the way, the name of the square comes from the Lithuanian word kudra, which means "forest in a swamp."
While Tchaikovsky lived in this house, the owner of the building was Major General Alexander Borisovich Kazakov. During the reign of Alexander II, Senator Kazakov conducted joint business with the industrialist Gubonin, who is in charge of the railways. After the death of the senator in 1880, the owner of the estate on Bolshaya Nikitskaya was his daughter Nadezhda Aleksandrovna, who later married Baron Meyendorf.
Of course, in those distant years, no one imagined that a little more than half a century would pass, and the square would be renamed Vosstaniya Square in connection with the revolutionary transformations in Russia, and then the Tchaikovsky and Moscow museum would be founded in the old Moscow estate.
But all this will happen later, and then, on Christmas Eve 1866, Pyotr Ilyich got off the train at the Moscow station, not yet knowing what he would be connected with Moscow in the next 12 years. Later, Tchaikovsky admits that life in Moscow shaped him as a composer.
Manor conversion
In the late 90s, the then mayor of Moscow decided to reconstruct the estate complex, and therefore two buildings became one, and the superfluous buildings, from the point of view of restorers, were demolished. Thus, there is no trace left of the old look of the Moscow estate. The façade of the estate, which now faces Kudrinskaya Square, has undergone particularly dramatic changes. The gate, by the way, was also transformed into a portico decorated with columns.
Here, after completion of restoration work, the Cultural Center named after P.I. Tchaikovsky, and then at its base the Tchaikovsky House-Museum in Moscow was opened.
Guests are welcome here.
This house is really welcome guests and waiting for them on all days of the week, except Mondays and Tuesdays. From Wednesday to Friday you can come here at 11 or 12 in the afternoon and stay until 21.00. On Saturday and Sunday, excursions are conducted from 11 or 12 hours to 19 and 18 hours, respectively.
The employees of the house-museum take into account the peculiarities of the perception of information by children of different age categories when familiarizing themselves with the musical culture of the 19th century.
By the way, for children under the age of 16, visiting the museum is free. For adult visitors, a quite budget price is set at 200 rubles, but it can also be reduced to 150 rubles if you are a senior citizen or belong to other privileged categories.
Please note that the organization of group visits to the Tchaikovsky and Moscow Museum must be started by warning its employees about your arrival by phone. This is necessary to exclude queues and cross several groups at the same time.
Meet music
In the Tchaikovsky and Moscow Museum you can not only get acquainted with the exposition related to the life and work of the composer, but also attend the performances of contemporary performers, both Russian and foreign guests. Here you can often hear instrumental music in chamber performance, as well as enjoy listening to choral groups and solo performances by vocalists.
The possibilities of the concert hall at the museum, which seats 100 spectators, make it possible to organize musical evenings for both adult visitors and children's audiences. You can attend a master class here, as well as take part in communication with musicians as part of creative meetings.
Worlds of Tchaikovsky
The Russian National Museum of Music, of which the Tchaikovsky and Moscow Museum is a part, consists of 9 halls. They are designed in such a way that visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Moscow at the musical end of the 19th century, present the lifestyle of both the composer himself and the people around him, especially musicians. Having experienced the lifestyle of Tchaikovsky, you can go to the exhibition, directly related to the life and life of Pyotr Ilyich, as well as with his work and teaching.
In this regard, one cannot fail to say about the opening of the exhibition in honor of the 175th anniversary of the great composer, entitled "Tchaikovsky and the World." The exhibits for her were collected from the collections of many museums in Russia and give an idea of the facets of Tchaikovsky’s personality.
The exposition is divided into two parts:
- part one - "The World of Tchaikovsky": a reflection of the composer's inner world;
- Part Two - Tchaikovsky and the World: the influence of the outside world on his work.
Among the exhibits - a lot of genuine documents, personal items, the Bible with the notes of the composer, photographs among friends, among the family; many drawings, among which there are also humorous caricatures; letters, in particular with the philanthropist Nadezhda Von Meck.
Tchaikovsky’s musical heritage is represented by originals of scores and drafts, including the operas Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades, as well as phonographic recordings. Here you can also get acquainted with symphony No. 6 - the last brainchild of the composer, performed during the author’s lifetime.
Meeting with the landlord
Each visit to the Tchaikovsky and Moscow museum leaves the impression of a personal meeting with the composer. The museum staff has done a great job to recreate the surrounding life and the atmosphere of life of Pyotr Ilyich.
Acquaintance with the exhibition is not limited only to the 19th century: the great Russian composer has long crossed the line of his time and accompanies us after almost a century and a half. Competition them. P.I. Tchaikovsky is proof of this. And information about this event in the museum is also present.
In their numerous reviews of the Tchaikovsky and Moscow Museum, visitors note that, having touched the atmosphere of musical Moscow through the life and work of the composer, it is impossible to remain indifferent.
By the way, for many, the discovery of the existence of an asteroid, named after the Russian composer, is a discovery.
Museum Road
Interest in the work of P.I. Tchaikovsky only grows with time, and not only among representatives of the older generation, but also among young people. This, of course, is facilitated by the performance of his works at many venues around the world.
How to get to the Tchaikovsky and Moscow museum?
The route is simple: you can get to Kudrinskaya Square by metro to the Barrikadnaya station; then transfer to trolleybus No. 10-b and drive on it to the stop "Malaya Nikitskaya Street" or to "Kudrinskaya Square", where the museum is located in building No. 46/54.
Perhaps it is with a visit to the Tchaikovsky and Moscow museum that your journey to the world of the great Russian composer will begin.