Fragment of a desk

A fragment of a desk with a portrait of P.I. Tchaikovsky, Chekhov’s favourite composer, with an inscription: To A.P. Chekhov from an ardent admirer. The Chekhovs liked to recall the years spent in Moscow and Pyotr Ilyich’s visit to their house in Sadovo-Kudrinskaya street. The great composer was delighted with the stories of the young writer and came to pay obeisance to him. P.I. Tchaikovsky had never been to Melikhovo. In October 1893 news of his death reached this place. Anton Pavlovich sent a telegram to the composer’s brother saying: “This news has stricken me. It’s such an immense pity... I respected and loved Pyotr Ilyich deeply, and owe much to him. I sympathize with your grief with all my soul.” But Tchaikovsky’s music lived on. The composer’s romances and The Seasons were often played in the Melikhovo house. Anton Pavlovich liked working to music very much. Chekhov devoted his collection of stories entitled Gloomy People to P.I. Tchaikovsky.