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Classical Fact

Early in 1877, a woman named Nadejda von Meck had grown interested in Tchaikovsky's work and gave him several commissions paying him exorbitant fees. She then offered him an annual allowance of 6000 rubles, which allowed him financial independence and the ability to devote all of his time to composing. Her one condition was that they only write letters and never meet. He was distraught when she suddenly broke off their relationship. Their 13-year correspondence ranks among the immortal collections of love letters.