He was engaged in a series of amorous episodes with women in Nadezhda von Meck's large household, which caused her to become markedly cold towards him. He asked her for some financial assistance, but she refused. Tchaikovsky instead came to his aid, despite having been accused by Kotek of having revealed to her the true nature of their relationship. He had also contracted syphilis. After his dismissal by Nadezhda von Meck, Kotek went to Berlin to study with Joseph Joachim.
Kotek
Joseph Joachim