Rubinstein's recommendation led to Timanova being sponsored by a local merchant to attend Carl Tausig's School of Advanced Piano Playing in Berlin.

Among Timanova's other prominent admirers were Alexander Borodin and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who dedicated the Scherzo humoristique, part of his Six Pieces for Piano Solo, Op.

[2] In addition to her friendship with Rubinstein, Timanova was also very close to Czech conductor and composer Eduard Nápravník.

[3][4] Timanova returned to Russia permanently in 1907, settling in St Petersburg, giving concerts and teaching piano students.

1[6] After the 1917 revolution, Timanova's wealthy background led to her being critical of the new Bolshevik authorities, but she was nonetheless granted a VIP pension of 50 roubles, sufficient to finance the employment of a maid.