China's Dalian and the Legacy of Tchaikovsky

Denis von Meck, whom the Chinese call a "Walking Family Museum" (行走的家族博物馆), and Mr. Zhang Jingxuan (张敬轩), the founder and director of the International Museum of World Musical Culture in Dalian.

The International Museum of World Musical Culture in China's Dalian has, for the first time, welcomed a relative of the great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The distinguished guest was Denis von Meck, a direct heir to the Tchaikovsky, von Meck, and Davydov families, as well as a noted educator, publisher, and collector. It is worth emphasizing the high standing of the 世界音乐文化博物馆 (International Museum of World Musical Culture, also known as 世纪留声·世界音乐文化博物馆), which is situated in the picturesque Eastern Harbor district within the "Eastern Venice" cultural and leisure zone. The museum's founder, Mr. Zhang Jingxuan (张敬轩), is a prominent Chinese entrepreneur and patron of the arts, and Chairman of the Dalian Zhisheng Culture Technology Industry Group. He established China's first private museum of musical culture, which was granted the status of a Category II state museum in 2024. In 2025, Mr. Zhang was invited to Moscow for the International Museum Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, where he delivered a keynote address titled "Advancing a New Concept of Culture and Enlightenment: Transforming Museum Visits into a Modern Lifestyle." This vision remains central to his ongoing cultural initiatives.

According to Denis von Meck, the visit had been in preparation for several years and left the educator with the most vivid impressions. It should be noted that Mr. von Meck and Mr. Zhang Jingxuan (张敬轩) have been close friends for nearly four years, having first met at an international conference attended by representatives of conservatories and musical museums from around the world. Since then, they have maintained regular contact via WeChat and closely follow each other's professional activities. Von Meck had long dreamed of experiencing the museum's unique collection in person, and in 2026 that dream was finally realized.

"This was a truly fascinating journey. After years of correspondence with Mr. Zhang, I finally arrived in the beautiful city of Dalian and stepped into this remarkable museum," Denis von Meck shared with International Affairs. "I was literally amazed by collections spanning the entire globe. But what truly struck me as a revelation was encountering an exhibit directly linked to the Tchaikovsky, von Meck, and Davydov families." Among the museum's many treasures, the object that touched the Russian guest most profoundly was a 19th-century French Érard harp. Family lore makes this instrument especially significant for Denis Andreevich: "My great-great-great-grandmother, Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck, widely known as the patroness and closest friend of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, greatly favored this brand of musical instruments," he explains. "The great Russian composer, who stayed at her residences and estates across several countries, had the opportunity to play specifically on Érard grand pianos. Moreover, Nadezhda Filaretovna regularly donated instruments to graduates of the Moscow Conservatory, and I have found confirmation in period newspapers that she also donated Érard harps." For context, the Érard company was founded by Sébastien Érard in Paris in the late 18th century and was regarded as one of Europe's finest manufacturers of harps and pianos. The firm supplied instruments to royal courts, and its products were favored by outstanding musicians. Érard pianos were played by Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, and many other composers, and instruments from this house were particularly popular in 19th-century Russia.

Denis von Meck added: "The visit was made especially moving by a musical welcome. As I approached the museum building, Mr. Zhang arranged for a balcony performance. Music filled the air and greeted us before we even entered. He organized the acoustic atmosphere so beautifully that not only our group, but everyone in the square outside, could hear it. I must emphasize that this is a highly popular, bustling location that attracts tourists from many countries. The program featured Russian music, including works by Tchaikovsky himself, as well as Soviet-era pieces, notably the famous 'Katyusha,' which remains immensely popular in China. It was a profoundly heartfelt gift, and I was deeply touched."

The admiration for Dalian, its exceptional museum, and its globally unique collection was matched only by the impression left by the building itself. "Both the location and the museum's architecture are beyond praise," Denis von Meck noted. "It is the most central, most visited, and most beautiful spot in the city."

A Collection of the Highest Caliber

As a collector himself, Denis von Meck highly praised the scale of Zhang Jingxuan's (张敬轩) assemblage: "These collections appeal to a wide range of audiences—both to lovers of musical instruments and to those fascinated by audio reproduction technology, such as the magnificent gramophone collection." Mr. Zhang also acquired a collection of phonographs from the family of the renowned American inventor Thomas Edison. "I rate the museum staff I met at the highest level for both their expertise and their hospitality," Denis von Meck emphasized. When asked what else had impressed the Tchaikovsky descendant, he told International Affairs: "I saw objects of exceptional rarity, even by the standards of major European or American museums. This brings great credit to the host, who, with genuine passion, professional knowledge, and, naturally, substantial financial investment, has organized such outstanding exhibitions."

The collection is so extensive that it cannot be fully explored in a single day. "The scale of what I saw demands time; one day is simply not enough," Denis von Meck acknowledged. "I will definitely return." This intention aligns with discussions already underway regarding joint projects during the Dalian visit. When asked whether he plans to further expand the collection, the museum's founder responded affirmatively, adding that he intends to establish similar museums in other cities. "To me, this demonstrates that Mr. Zhang Jingxuan (张敬轩) is a remarkable philanthropist who wishes to build a musical bridge between the past and the present," Denis von Meck observed. "All his efforts contribute to enhancing knowledge of high art among Chinese citizens and international visitors alike, which is highly commendable. Naturally, we must continue to ensure that Russian musical culture is well represented in this unique institution." And this sentiment comes from a true patriot of his homeland and a worthy descendant of his celebrated relative—the great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

A Year Enhanced by the 150th Anniversary of Swan Lake

Alongside many other significant dates, 2026 is marked by a major jubilee: the 150th anniversary of the legendary ballet Swan Lake. Denis von Meck shared with us rare historical details surrounding the creation of this masterpiece. "Originally, the ballet was titled Swan Pond and was composed for the family of my great-great-great-grandmother, Alexandra Ilyinichna Tchaikovskaya—the composer's younger and favorite sister, who married into the Davydov family," the descendant explained. "Pyotr Ilyich served as both composer and director. His brother, Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky, played one of the roles, as did the composer's niece, Anna, daughter of his sister Alexandra and my great-great-grandmother." Thus, from its very inception, Swan Lake was not merely a professional commission, but a cherished family endeavor that united multiple generations of the Tchaikovsky-Davydov lineage.

Plans for a Joint Exhibition in the BRICS Spirit

One of the key outcomes of the meeting in Dalian was a preliminary agreement on a collaborative project. The museum has already hosted a major exhibition dedicated to P.I. Tchaikovsky, organized in partnership with the Russian State Museum of Music. Now, Denis von Meck has expressed his readiness to lend five original photographs of the composer from his family archive for a temporary display—some of which bear the physical touch of Pyotr Ilyich himself.

Additionally, Denis von Meck has received an invitation to a major event in Wuhan in October 2026, which will bring together representatives of Chinese and Russian musical instrument museums, music institutions, and composers. Mr. Zhang is serving as one of the forum's co-organizers, while Denis von Meck will participate as a private collector and a member of the Association of Musical Museums and Collectors, actively engaging in such initiatives. It is important to note that this cultural dialogue organically aligns with the intergovernmental objectives of BRICS, where Russia and China act as strategic partners in advancing humanitarian ties and preserving global cultural heritage. Denis Andreevich has already completed a Chinese translation of P.I. Tchaikovsky's biography and is currently working on a Portuguese version for presentation in Brazil, another BRICS member state.

Concert Hall for Future Lectures

Continuing our tour of the International Museum of World Musical Culture in Dalian, the third floor features a magnificent concert and conference hall capable of accommodating large audiences interested in the music of Tchaikovsky—the greatest Russian composer, whose works are deeply familiar throughout China, most notably the ballets Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, the First Piano Concerto, and many other masterpieces. Denis von Meck enthusiastically embraced Mr. Zhang's proposal to host joint events there. Both the museum's founder and his guest are fully committed to expanding their cooperation, recognizing that musical heritage can serve as a durable cultural bridge connecting peoples and nations.

Reference:

Denis von Meck is a direct descendant of the Tchaikovsky, von Meck, and Davydov families. He is the founder of the International Charitable Foundation named after Nadezhda von Meck, a patron of the arts, public figure, cultural diplomat, curator of a virtual museum, collector, publisher, historian-genealogist, journalist, and dedicated researcher of the life and works of P.I. Tchaikovsky.

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