Letter 3342a

Tchaikovsky Research
Revision as of 17:28, 7 April 2020 by Brett (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Date 8/20 September 1887
Addressed to Neue Symphonische Gesellschaft (Vienna)
Where written Saint Petersburg
Language French
Autograph Location unknown[1]
Publication Katalog der Sammlung Anton Dermota. Musikerhandschriften und Musikerbriefe (Tutzing, 1988), p. 167 (abridged)
Čajkovskijs Homosexualität und sein Tod. Legenden und Wirklichkeit (1998), p. 186 (abridged; "1889")
Tchaikovsky Research Bulletin No. 2 (April 2011), p. 17 (with English translation)
Чайковский. Новые материалы к творческой биографии (2013), p. 250-251 (with Russian translation, p. 251)
Notes Formerly numbered 3931a (with incorrect date of 8/20 September 1889)

Text and Translation

French text
(original)
English translation
By Luis Sundkvist
S[ain]t Petersbourg
8/20 Sept[embre] [18]87

Fontanka, 15

Monsieur!

Je m'empresse de Vous annoncer que c'est avec le plus grand plaisir que j'accepte l'invitation que Vous avez bien voulu m'adresser de la part du Comité de la Nouvelle Société simphonique de Vienne. Je considère cette invitation comme un très grand honneur pour moi et je V[ou]s prie, Monsieur, de transmettre mes vifs remerciements au Comité.

L'époque la plus favorable pour moi serait le mois de Février depuis le 1 jusqu'au 29. Cependant, si V[ou]s trouviez que le concert que je dois conduire, devrait avoir lieu un peu plus tard ou un peu plus tôt, – veuillez bien dès aprèsent fixer la dâte probable de ce jour pour que je puisse arranger mes affaires de manière à pouvoir arriver quand Vous le trouverez necessaire.

Quant au programme du concert, je le ferai et Vous l'enverrai aussitot que Vous aurez l'obligeance de me faire savoir que mon invitation est décidée d'une manière tout à fait sûre.

En attendant que j'aie l'occasion de faire personnellement Votre connaissance, veuillez bien agréer, Monsieur, l'assurance de mes sentiments les plus distingués.

P. Tschaïkovsky

P. S. J'ecris très incorrectement l'allemand et j'espère que Vous m'excuserez d'avoir répondu en français.

Saint Petersburg
8/20 September 1887

Fontanka, No. 15

Sir!

I hasten to notify you that it is with the greatest pleasure that I accept the invitation which you were so kind as to send me on behalf of the Committee of the New Symphonic Society of Vienna. I regard this invitation as a very great honour for me, and I would ask you, Sir, to convey my fervent thanks to the Committee.

The most convenient period for me would be in February, from the 1st to the 29th of that month. However, if you feel that the concert which I am to conduct should take place a little later or a little sooner, please could you now fix the likely date of my concert so that I can organize my affairs in such a way as to be able to come to Vienna when you feel it is necessary.

As for the programme of the concert, I shall draw it up and send it off to you as soon as you are so kind as to let me know that my invitation has been settled quite for certain.

Until I have the opportunity to make your personal acquaintance, would you please accept, Sir, this assurance of my finest sentiments.

'P. Tchaikovsky

P. S. My written German is very faulty, and I hope that you will forgive me for having replied in French.

Notes and References

  1. The autograph was auctioned in 1994 in Vienna in 1994, having previously been held at the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna. Anton Dermota Collection. A microfilm copy of the original letter is still held at there, and Dr. Thomas Leibnitz, director of its Music Department, kindly sent us a copy of this.