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Vasilii Sapel'nikov (1868–1941)

Vasilii Sapel'nikov

Russian pianist and teacher (b. 21 October/2 November 1868 in Odessa; d. 17 March 1941 in Sanremo), born Vasilii L'vovich Sapel'nikov (Василий Львович Сапельников, Vasilij L'vovič Sapel'nikov, Vasily L'vovich Sapel'nikov); sometimes known in the West as Vassily Sapellnikoff.

After studying under Sophie Menter at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Sapel'nikov made his debut in Hamburg in 1888 playing Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto under the composer's own direction. Over the next three years he toured frequently with Tchaikovsky, perfoming both the first and second concertos. Between 1897 and 1899 he taught at the Moscow Conservatory, and left Russia in 1923 to settle in Germany and Italy.

Tchaikovsky's works dedicated to Vasilii Sapel'nikov:

• Scène dansante: Invitation au trèpak—No. 18 of the Eighteen Pieces, Op. 72 (1893).

Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Vasilii Sapel'nikov:

• 3 letters from Tchaikovsky to Vasilii Sapel'nikov have survived, dating from 1889.