Letter 2153 - Revision history

Tony: "ize" to "ise" and punctuation

2024-12-20T11:04:13Z

"ize" to "ise" and punctuation

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:04, 20 December 2024
Line 25:		Line 25:
	Dear [[Anya]]! For some two months I had been constantly intending to write to you, and if I have not done so until now, it is merely because all this time I have had to do an awfully great deal of work — indeed, so much that sometimes I was close to breaking down from exhaustion, and this meant that I very much had to neglect my correspondence <ref name="note1"/>. Truly, I am ashamed to see how sweet and kind you are, and how you always write to me, whereas I am silent for months on end.		Dear [[Anya]]! For some two months I had been constantly intending to write to you, and if I have not done so until now, it is merely because all this time I have had to do an awfully great deal of work — indeed, so much that sometimes I was close to breaking down from exhaustion, and this meant that I very much had to neglect my correspondence <ref name="note1"/>. Truly, I am ashamed to see how sweet and kind you are, and how you always write to me, whereas I am silent for months on end.

	Making promises about a magnificent statuette, causing you to spend all your money on a ''stand'' for it — those are things which Pyotr Ilyich is very good at <ref name="note2"/>. But as for keeping a promise and writing regularly, don't expect that from this useless good-for-nothing, who deserves to be beaten and scratched by the celebrated spiders — they shall have the right of revenge when we meet <ref name="note3"/>. In a few days' time I shall leave for [[Moscow]], then [[Piter]], and then go abroad. I will probably see you, but alas! what [[Modest]] said to you is quite true. I shall get to see you, whereas you will just see a parody of me. In [[Petersburg]], and even in [[Moscow]], too, I feel so unhappy and wretched that I don't particularly bother about going to see people whom I love, because I know that I will just depress them. If I could spend a few days without having to see anyone apart from [[Modest]], you, and two or three relatives and friends, then that would give me the greatest pleasure. But alas! as soon as I arrive in the capital, I become a ''slave'' of all kinds of obligatory social relations, and, unsociable and surly as I am, this makes me suffer inexpressibly. [[Anya]]! You are absolutely wrong about [[Nikolay Tchaikovsky\|Kolya]]. He is not a particularly effusive and affectionate person, but he is upright and honest. When I saw him in [[Kamenka]] and reproached him for his strange conduct towards you <ref name="note4"/>, he was very surprised and gave me his word of honour that nothing of the sort had ever happened, and that for some reason he really didn't ~~recognize~~ you. It is impossible for me not to believe him, and the conclusion I have reached is that after all the slandering and injustices you have had to endure you, as a highly nervous person, have developed a morbid suspiciousness and distrustfulness, which cause you to see spitefulness and the intention of offending you even in those situations where there is nothing of the sort. I strongly urge you to become good friends with [[Nikolay Tchaikovsky\|Kolya]] and [[Olga Tchaikovskaya\|his wife]]. The latter is a very fine little person, as I am sure you will agree when you get to know her. Your description of the visits by [[Aleksandra Kartsova\|Mrs General Kartsov]] is magnificent. It is so lively that I feel as if I myself had been present. Dear [[Anya]]! I have written a number of piano pieces, one of which I have dedicated to you <ref name="note5"/>. How is your surname written: ''Mercling'' or ''Merkling''? I wrote it with a ''c''. These pieces are to be published in 2 to 3 weeks' time.		Making promises about a magnificent statuette, causing you to spend all your money on a ''stand'' for it — those are things which Pyotr Ilyich is very good at <ref name="note2"/>. But as for keeping a promise and writing regularly, don't expect that from this useless good-for-nothing, who deserves to be beaten and scratched by the celebrated spiders — they shall have the right of revenge when we meet <ref name="note3"/>. In a few days' time I shall leave for [[Moscow]], then [[Piter]], and then go abroad. I will probably see you, but alas! what [[Modest]] said to you is quite true. I shall get to see you, whereas you will just see a parody of me. In [[Petersburg]], and even in [[Moscow]] too, I feel so unhappy and wretched that I don't particularly bother about going to see people whom I love, because I know that I will just depress them. If I could spend a few days without having to see anyone apart from [[Modest]], you, and two or three relatives and friends, then that would give me the greatest pleasure. But alas! As soon as I arrive in the capital, I become a ''slave'' of all kinds of obligatory social relations, and, unsociable and surly as I am, this makes me suffer inexpressibly. [[Anya]]! You are absolutely wrong about [[Nikolay Tchaikovsky\|Kolya]]. He is not a particularly effusive and affectionate person, but he is upright and honest. When I saw him in [[Kamenka]] and reproached him for his strange conduct towards you <ref name="note4"/>, he was very surprised and gave me his word of honour that nothing of the sort had ever happened, and that for some reason he really didn't recognise you. It is impossible for me not to believe him, and the conclusion I have reached is that after all the slandering and injustices you have had to endure, you, as a highly nervous person, have developed a morbid suspiciousness and distrustfulness, which cause you to see spitefulness and the intention of offending you even in those situations where there is nothing of the sort. I strongly urge you to become good friends with [[Nikolay Tchaikovsky\|Kolya]] and [[Olga Tchaikovskaya\|his wife]]. The latter is a very fine little person, as I am sure you will agree when you get to know her. Your description of the visits by [[Aleksandra Kartsova\|Mrs General Kartsov]] is magnificent. It is so lively that I feel as if I myself had been present. Dear [[Anya]]! I have written a number of piano pieces, one of which I have dedicated to you <ref name="note5"/>. How is your surname written: ''Mercling'' or ''Merkling''? I wrote it with a ''c''. These pieces are to be published in 2 to 3 weeks' time.

	I kiss the ever so sweet spiders warmly. See you soon.		I kiss the ever so sweet spiders warmly. See you soon.
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	==Notes and References==		==Notes and References==
	<references>		<references>
	<ref name="note1">In September and October Tchaikovsky had been working intensively on his new opera ''[[Mazepa]]'', which cost him a great deal of effort, as well as revising ''[[The Maid of Orleans]]'' at the request of the Imperial Theatre's directorate (who had asked for Joan's part to be transposed for mezzo-soprano). This was also an arduous task.</ref>		<ref name="note1">In September and October, Tchaikovsky had been working intensively on his new opera [[Mazepa]], which cost him a great deal of effort, as well as revising [[The Maid of Orleans]] at the request of the Imperial Theatre's directorate (who had asked for Joan's part to be transposed for mezzo-soprano). This was also an arduous task.</ref>
	<ref name="note2">See [[Letter 1935]] to [[Anna Merkling]] from [[Rome]] on 15/27 January 1882, in which Tchaikovsky had promised to bring or send her a replica of some classical statue. See also [[Letter 2046]] to her on 18/30 June 1882.</ref>		<ref name="note2">See [[Letter 1935]] to [[Anna Merkling]] from [[Rome]] on 15/27 January 1882, in which Tchaikovsky had promised to bring or send her a replica of some classical statue. See also [[Letter 2046]] to her on 18/30 June 1882.</ref>
	<ref name="note3">"Spiders" here are "hands". This association evidently goes back to some childhood memory of the composer's. [[Anna Merkling]] had very beautiful hands, and this was something that Tchaikovsky always paid particular attention to — note by Vladimir Zhdanov in {{bib\|1951/49\| П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма}} (1951), p. 207. See also {{bib\|1993/186\| Tchaikovsky. The quest for the inner man}} (1993), p. 310, for the composer's obsession with hands.</ref>		<ref name="note3">"Spiders" here are "hands". This association evidently goes back to some childhood memory of the composer. [[Anna Merkling]] had very beautiful hands, and this was something that Tchaikovsky always paid particular attention to — note by Vladimir Zhdanov in {{bib\|1951/49\| П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма}} (1951), p. 207. See also {{bib\|1993/186\| Tchaikovsky. The quest for the inner man}} (1993), p. 310, for the composer's obsession with hands.</ref>
	<ref name="note4">See note 2 in [[Letter 2046]] to [[Anna Merkling]], 18/30 June 1882. [[Anna Merkling\|Anna]] had complained that Tchaikovsky's elder brother [[Nikolay]] had deliberately pretended not to notice her at a concert in [[Saint Petersburg]], which had upset her greatly.</ref>		<ref name="note4">See note 2 in [[Letter 2046]] to [[Anna Merkling]], 18/30 June 1882. [[Anna Merkling\|Anna]] had complained that Tchaikovsky's elder brother [[Nikolay]] had deliberately pretended not to notice her at a concert in [[Saint Petersburg]], which had upset her greatly.</ref>
	<ref name="note5">In August and September 1882 Tchaikovsky wrote the [[Six Pieces, Op. 51]], for piano solo. These pieces were all dedicated to close friends and relatives. No. 3, the ''Menuetto scherzoso'', was dedicated to [[Anna Merkling]]. This is the only composition that he dedicated to her.</ref>		<ref name="note5">In August and September 1882, Tchaikovsky wrote the [[Six Pieces, Op. 51]], for piano solo. These pieces were all dedicated to close friends and relatives. No. 3, the ''Menuetto scherzoso'', was dedicated to [[Anna Merkling]]. This is the only composition that he dedicated to her.</ref>
	</references>		</references>

Brett: Text replacement - "in the Klin House-Museum Archive" to "in the {{RUS-KLč}} at Klin"

2023-09-23T15:27:23Z

Text replacement - "in the Klin House-Museum Archive" to "in the {{RUS-KLč}} at Klin"

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:27, 23 September 2023
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	==Text and Translation==		==Text and Translation==
	Based on a handwritten copy in the [[Klin]] ~~House-Museum Archive~~, which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.		Based on a handwritten copy in the {{RUS-KLč}} at [[Klin]], which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.
	{{Lettertext		{{Lettertext
	\|Language=Russian		\|Language=Russian

Brett: 1 revision imported

2022-07-14T20:31:11Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 22:31, 14 July 2022
(No difference)

Brett at 13:30, 9 February 2020

2020-02-09T13:30:32Z

New page

{{letterhead
|Date=2/14 November 1882
|To=[[Anna Merkling]]
|Place=[[Kamenka]]
|Language=Russian
|Autograph={{locunknown}}
|Publication={{bib|1951/49|П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма}} (1951), p. 214<br/>{{bib|1966/43|П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений ; том XI}} (1966), p. 273–274
|Notes=Manuscript copy in [[Klin]] (Russia): {{RUS-KLč}} (signature omitted)
}}

==Text and Translation==
Based on a handwritten copy in the [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive, which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.
{{Lettertext
|Language=Russian
|Translator=Luis Sundkvist
|Original text={{right|Каменка<br/>2-го ноября {{sic|1880|1882}} г[ода]}}
Милая Аня! Я уже месяца два постоянно собирался тебе написать, и если этого не сделал, то только оттого, что всё это время мне приходилось страшно много работать, до того, что иногда я просто изнемогал от утомления и от этого страшно запустил всю свою корреспонденцию. Право, мне совестно, что [ты] такая милая и добрая и пишешь мне, тогда как я по целым месяцам молчу.

Обещать великолепную статуэтку, заставить тебя истратиться на ''support'', — вот это Пётр Ильич отлично умеет. Но исполнить обещание и аккуратно писать, — этого не ждите от негодного шалопая, достойного быть побитым и исцарапанным знаменитыми пауками, которым и будет предоставлено право отмщения при свидании. На днях я выезжаю в Москву, Питер и за границу. Увижу тебя наверное, — но увы! Модест тебе сказал совершенную правду. Я-то тебя увижу, — но ты лишь мою пародию увидишь. В Петербурге, да и в Москве тоже, я чувствую себя до того несчастным и жалким, что не особенно и хлопочу о свидании с лицами, которых люблю, ибо знаю, что способен навести на них только уныние. Если б я мог провести несколько дней, так, чтобы никого не видеть, кроме Модеста, тебя, двух-трёх родственников и друзей, — то это было бы для меня величайшим удовольствием. Но, увы! как только приезжаю в столицу, — делаюсь ''рабом'' всевозможных обязательных отношений и, будучи нелюдимым и букой, невыразимо страдаю. Аня! Ты положительно ошибаешься насчёт Коли. Это человек не особенно чувствительный и нежный, — но правдивый и честный. Когда, увидевшись с ним в Каменке, я упрекнул его в странном поступке относительно тебя, — он очень изумился и дал мне честное слово, что никогда этого не было и что он действительно тебя почему-то не узнал. Я не могу не верить ему и прихожу к заключению, что у тебя, как у очень нервного человека, развилась после всех вынесенных тобою клевет и несправедливостей болезненная подозрительность и недоверчивость, заставляющая тебя видеть злобу и намерение обидеть даже там, где этого вовсе нет. Я бы очень советовал тебе сблизиться с Колей и его женой. Эта последняя очень хороший маленький человечек, и ты согласишься с этим, когда узнаешь её. Твоё описание визитов генеральши Карцовой — превосходно. Оно так живо, что я как будто присутствовал при этом. Милая Аня! Я написал несколько фортепианных пьес, из числа коих одну посвятил тебе. Как пишется фамилия ''Mercling'' или ''Merkling''? Я написал ''c''. Недели через 2 — 3 пьесы выйдут из печати.

Целую крепко милейшие пауки. До скорого свидания.
{{right|Твой,}}

|Translated text={{right|[[Kamenka]]<br/>2nd November {{sic|1880|1882}}}}
Dear [[Anya]]! For some two months I had been constantly intending to write to you, and if I have not done so until now, it is merely because all this time I have had to do an awfully great deal of work — indeed, so much that sometimes I was close to breaking down from exhaustion, and this meant that I very much had to neglect my correspondence <ref name="note1"/>. Truly, I am ashamed to see how sweet and kind you are, and how you always write to me, whereas I am silent for months on end.

Making promises about a magnificent statuette, causing you to spend all your money on a ''stand'' for it — those are things which Pyotr Ilyich is very good at <ref name="note2"/>. But as for keeping a promise and writing regularly, don't expect that from this useless good-for-nothing, who deserves to be beaten and scratched by the celebrated spiders — they shall have the right of revenge when we meet <ref name="note3"/>. In a few days' time I shall leave for [[Moscow]], then [[Piter]], and then go abroad. I will probably see you, but alas! what [[Modest]] said to you is quite true. I shall get to see you, whereas you will just see a parody of me. In [[Petersburg]], and even in [[Moscow]], too, I feel so unhappy and wretched that I don't particularly bother about going to see people whom I love, because I know that I will just depress them. If I could spend a few days without having to see anyone apart from [[Modest]], you, and two or three relatives and friends, then that would give me the greatest pleasure. But alas! as soon as I arrive in the capital, I become a ''slave'' of all kinds of obligatory social relations, and, unsociable and surly as I am, this makes me suffer inexpressibly. [[Anya]]! You are absolutely wrong about [[Nikolay Tchaikovsky|Kolya]]. He is not a particularly effusive and affectionate person, but he is upright and honest. When I saw him in [[Kamenka]] and reproached him for his strange conduct towards you <ref name="note4"/>, he was very surprised and gave me his word of honour that nothing of the sort had ever happened, and that for some reason he really didn't recognize you. It is impossible for me not to believe him, and the conclusion I have reached is that after all the slandering and injustices you have had to endure you, as a highly nervous person, have developed a morbid suspiciousness and distrustfulness, which cause you to see spitefulness and the intention of offending you even in those situations where there is nothing of the sort. I strongly urge you to become good friends with [[Nikolay Tchaikovsky|Kolya]] and [[Olga Tchaikovskaya|his wife]]. The latter is a very fine little person, as I am sure you will agree when you get to know her. Your description of the visits by [[Aleksandra Kartsova|Mrs General Kartsov]] is magnificent. It is so lively that I feel as if I myself had been present. Dear [[Anya]]! I have written a number of piano pieces, one of which I have dedicated to you <ref name="note5"/>. How is your surname written: ''Mercling'' or ''Merkling''? I wrote it with a ''c''. These pieces are to be published in 2 to 3 weeks' time.

I kiss the ever so sweet spiders warmly. See you soon.
{{right|Yours,}}
}}

==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">In September and October Tchaikovsky had been working intensively on his new opera ''[[Mazepa]]'', which cost him a great deal of effort, as well as revising ''[[The Maid of Orleans]]'' at the request of the Imperial Theatre's directorate (who had asked for Joan's part to be transposed for mezzo-soprano). This was also an arduous task.</ref>
<ref name="note2">See [[Letter 1935]] to [[Anna Merkling]] from [[Rome]] on 15/27 January 1882, in which Tchaikovsky had promised to bring or send her a replica of some classical statue. See also [[Letter 2046]] to her on 18/30 June 1882.</ref>
<ref name="note3">"Spiders" here are "hands". This association evidently goes back to some childhood memory of the composer's. [[Anna Merkling]] had very beautiful hands, and this was something that Tchaikovsky always paid particular attention to — note by Vladimir Zhdanov in {{bib|1951/49| П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма}} (1951), p. 207. See also {{bib|1993/186| Tchaikovsky. The quest for the inner man}} (1993), p. 310, for the composer's obsession with hands.</ref>
<ref name="note4">See note 2 in [[Letter 2046]] to [[Anna Merkling]], 18/30 June 1882. [[Anna Merkling|Anna]] had complained that Tchaikovsky's elder brother [[Nikolay]] had deliberately pretended not to notice her at a concert in [[Saint Petersburg]], which had upset her greatly.</ref>
<ref name="note5">In August and September 1882 Tchaikovsky wrote the [[Six Pieces, Op. 51]], for piano solo. These pieces were all dedicated to close friends and relatives. No. 3, the ''Menuetto scherzoso'', was dedicated to [[Anna Merkling]]. This is the only composition that he dedicated to her.</ref>
</references>