Iosif Kotek

Iosif Kotek Iosifovich (Russian Иосиф Иосифович Котек; * 25 Oktoberjul / November 6 1855greg in Kamjanez - Podilskyj, .. † January 4, 1885 in Davos ) was a Russian violinist and a close confidant of Tchaikovsky.

Life

Kotek studied led by Jan Hrimaly at the Moscow Conservatory violin, as well as music theory and composition with Tchaikovsky and graduated in 1876. Upon recommendation of Nikolai Rubinstein, he was hired by Nadezhda von Meck Filaretowna and played privately for them on their property in Clarens. There he helped Tchaikovsky in the preparation of his violin concerto, especially in the design of the solo parts. In addition to the joint work, the two also joined a romantic love relationship, the Tchaikovsky, in a letter to his brother Modest described in detail. Tchaikovsky dedicated his Valse - Scherzo also be C major, Op 34 (1877 ). 1879 Kotek was awarded the newly created Mendelssohn Scholarship for Violin Award ( a scholarship for composition was Engelbert Humperdinck ).

After the end of the relationship Kotek in 1882 moved to Berlin, where he studied with Joseph Joachim and Friedrich Kiel at the Royal College of Academic performing art of music. Then also taught there. In 1884, he contracted tuberculosis and returned to Davos, where he died on 4 January 1885.

Works

• Six practical studies for the violin by Josef Kotek. Op. 8 (1880 )