Letter 86 and Anna Merkling: Difference between pages

Tchaikovsky Research
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{{letterhead
{{picture|file=Merkling_Anna.jpg|caption='''Anna Merkling''' (1830-1911)}}
|Date=7/19 February 1866
Cousin of the composer (b. 1830; d. 1911), born '''''Anna Petrovna Tchaikovskaya''''' (Анна Петровна Чайковская); known during her first marriage as '''''Anna Petrovna Yegorova''''' (Анна Петровна Егорова), and after her second marriage as '''''Anna Petrovna Merkling''''' (Анна Петровна Мерклинг).
|To=[[Aleksandra Davydova]]
|Place=[[Moscow]]
|Language=Russian
|Autograph=[[Saint Petersburg]] (Russia): {{RUS-SPsc}} (ф. 834, ед. хр. 16, л. 30–31)
|Publication={{bib|1900/35|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 1}} (1900), p. 234 (abridged)<br/>{{bib|1940/210|П. И. Чайковский. Письма к родным ; том 1}} (1940), p. 81–82 <br/>{{bib|1955/37|П. И. Чайковский. Письма к близким}} (1955), p. 29–30 (abridged)<br/>{{bib|1959/50|П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений ; том V}} (1959), p. 101–102 <br/>{{bib|1981/81| Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Letters to his family. An autobiography}} (1981), p. 27–28 (English translation; abridged)
}}
==Text and Translation==
{{Lettertext
|Language=Russian
|Translator=Anna Gorshkova
|Original text={{right|''Москва''<br/>''7 февраля 1866-го года''}}
Милый друг Саша! Не знаю, получила ли ты моё первое письмо из Москвы, я его не сам отдавал на почту, а потому несколько сомневаюсь, притом же от тебя не получаю до сих пор ответа, а мне бы хотелось иметь о Вас известие.


Я начинаю понемногу привыкать к Москве, хотя порою и грустно бывает моё одиночество. Курс идёт, к моему удивлению, чрезвычайно успешно, робость исчезла совершенно, и я начинаю мало-помалу принимать профессорскую физиогномню. Ученики и особенно ученицы беспрестанно изъявляют мне своё удовольствие, и я этому радуюсь. Хандра тоже исчезает, но Москва все ещё для меня чужой город, и много ещё пройдёт времени, пока я начну без ужаса думать о том, что придётся в ней остаться или надолго или навсегда. Продолжаю жить у Рубинштейна и, вероятно, останусь у него до самого лета. Он очень хороший господин, да и вообще люди в Москве какие-то все хорошие; в музыкальном отношении здесь гораздо хуже Петербурга. Опера отвратительная, концерты Музыкального общества тоже во многих отношениях хуже. Зато здесь необыкновенно хорош Русский театр (ты, впрочем, имеешь о нем понятие). Рубинштейн очень заботится о моем увеселении; два раза таскал меня в маскарад (где, как всегда, было скучно), доставляет случаи даром бывать в театре и т. д. От знакомств совершенно отказался, кроме музыкальных. Впрочем, бываю часто в одном доме по соседству; это некие ''Тарновские'', муж с женой и двумя прелестными племянницами. Особенно одна из них меня сильно пленяет. Масленицу провёл очень тихо и все время почти просидел дома, только вчера ходил на балаганы и был там в цирке. Мороз был неимоверный, и смотреть на наездниц в газовых платьях было прежалко. Сегодня первый день поста, и Москва как будто вымерла. Я ужасно радуюсь наступлению этого периода времени; великий пост служит ''trait d'union'' весне, а за ней и лету. А лето я предполагаю, если только какие-нибудь необыкновенные препятствия не помешают, провести у Вас. Ты не поверишь, с каким наслаждением я об этом мечтаю, молю Бога, чтоб только Вы все были здоровы, и даже (pardon!) желал бы, чтоб ты к тому времени не была в интересном положении, и прошу Леву об этом позаботиться. Напиши, не собираетесь ли Вы, уехать за границу? Это бы меня очень, признаться, огорчило, хотя я от всей души желаю исполнения всяких Ваших планов и мечтаний. На письма из Петербурга я не успеваю отвечать, так много их получаю, и это меня несказанно утешает. Братьями я очень доволен, они доказали, что искренно меня любят, за что я им воздаю сторицей. Из Ваших получил два письма от Лизав[еты] Вас[ильевны] и одно от Алекс[андры] Ивановны. О Папаше давно уже не имею известий и жду с нетерпением. Как-то поживаете Вы и милые, чудные девочки. Поцелуй их от меня хорошенько. Что Лёвушка, занят ли очень и доволен ли ходом работ? Расскажи мне также что-нибудь про здоровье и расположение духа Ник[олая] Вас[ильевича]?
Anna was the oldest child of the composer's uncle [[Pyotr Petrovich Tchaikovsky]] (1789–1871) and his wife Yevdokiya (b. Berens). She married a Mr Yegorov when she was quite young, but they were not happy together, and after the death of an infant daughter they separated. Soon afterwards Anna married for the second time to a Guards' officer, Pyotr Ivanovich Merkling, by whom she had a daughter, Lyubov. However, she was not happy in this marriage either. Her new husband made no progress whatsoever in his military career, and he treated Anna badly. Because of his disagreeable character he was forced to leave his regiment, and on some whim he decided to join the police, accepting a lowly position. But even there he did not get on with his superiors, and he soon left the police as well. He eventually ended up working as a caretaker in a school in [[Saint Petersburg]]. Anna, who came from a highly cultured family, suffered greatly as she saw herself and her husband come down in the world, but she nevertheless retained a cheerful outlook on life and liked to take part in amateur theatricals and attend concerts <ref name="note1"/>.


Итак, целую Вас всех наикрепчайшим образом.
Although Anna was ten years older than Tchaikovsky, they were inseparable companions from 1852 onwards, when Tchaikovsky's parents moved to [[Saint Petersburg]], and especially after the death of his [[mother]] in 1854. They were united by a love of mischief and often devised practical jokes together. Anna would remain Tchaikovsky's favourite cousin all his life, since he valued her ability to rise above adversity thanks to her cheerful character. When her husband suffered financial problems Tchaikovsky lent them a hand <ref name="note2"/>.
{{right|П. Чайковский}}


|Translated text={{right|''[[Moscow]]''<br/>''7 February 1866''}}
In her memoirs of the composer, [[Aleksandra Panayeva-Kartsova]] reported the following conversation which took place between Tchaikovsky and his beloved cousin shortly after the concert in [[Saint Petersburg]] on 16/28 October 1893 at which he had conducted the premiere of his [[Sixth Symphony]]:
Dear friend [[Aleksandra Davydova|Sasha]]! I don't know whether you received my first letter from [[Moscow]], I didn't post it myself so I have some doubts; besides, I've not received any reply from you, and I should like to have news from you.


I'm gradually starting to become accustomed to [[Moscow]], although at times I find myself sad and lonely. To my surprise, the course is proceeding with remarkable success, my shyness has completely disappeared, and I'm gradually starting to adopt a professorial demeanour. The students, and especially the female ones, are constantly expressing their satisfaction with me, for which I am very glad. My melancholy is also disappearing, but [[Moscow]] is still wholly alien to me, and it will be a long time before I'm not horrified at the thought that I have to stay there, either for a long while or forever. I'm continuing to live with [[Nikolay Rubinstein|Rubinstein]], and will probably stay with him until the summer. He is a fine gentleman, as indeed the people of [[Moscow]] are all generally fine; as regards music, it is far worse than [[Petersburg]]. The opera is loathsome, and the Musical Society concerts are worse in many respects. But the Russian Theatre here is exceptionally good (however, you have your own opinion). [[Nikolay Rubinstein|Rubinstein]] is very anxious to keep me entertained; twice he's dragged me into  masquerade balls (which were as tedious as ever), he gives me opportunities to go to theatre for free, etc. I have completely refused to make acquaintance with anyone, except for musicians. However, there is one house I often visit nearby: namely, the ''Tarnovskys'', a husband with a wife and two lovely nieces. I'm very drawn to one of them in particular. I spent Shrovetide very quietly, and was at home almost the whole time, only yesterday going to show-booths, and visiting the circus. The frost was incredible, and I felt sorry for the horsewomen in their gauze dresses. Today is the first day of Lent, and [[Moscow]] is almost deserted. I'm awfully glad that this period has begun; it signifies a ''trait d'union'' for spring, and from it to the summer. And I suppose that I'll be spending the summer with you, unless anything extraordinary happens to prevent it. You won't believe how much pleasure the thought gives me, I just pray to God that you are all well, and even (pardon me!) hope that you're not in an interesting condition by then, and I ask [[Leva]] to take care of this. Write if you're intending to go abroad? I confess this would upset me very much, although I wholeheartedly wish for the fulfilment of all your plans and dreams. I receive so many letters from St. Petersburg that I don't manage to answer them, and I cannot express how much of a comfort this is to me. I am very content with my brothers: they have shown that they sincerely love me, for which I return them hundredfold. From your lot I've received two letters from Lizaveta Vasilyevna and one from Aleksandra Ivanovna. I've not had news from [[Papasha]] for a while, and I'm looking forward to it. How are you and your dear, wonderful girls doing? Kiss them well for me. What about [[Levushka]], is he very busy and is he pleased with how work is going? Tell me something about the Nikolay Vasilyevich's health and mood too.
{{quote|After the concert he saw home his cousin Anna Petrovna Merkling, with whom he had been on very friendly terms ever since his childhood. She was one of the first to appreciate him; she worshipped his talent, and he would constantly share with her his impressions, thoughts, and plans. On this occasion he asked her if she had understood what his new symphony expressed. She replied that the impression she had was that in it he had described his own life.}}


Whereupon, I kiss you all as hard as possible.
{{quote|— Yes, you've guessed right! — he exclaimed joyfully and started to explain it to her — The first movement is childhood and vague strivings after music. The second is youth and merry high society life. The third is the struggle for existence and the achievement of glory. And as for the last movement, — he added cheerfully, — that is the ''De profundis'', with which we all end, but for me that is still a long way ahead; I feel so much energy in me, so many creative impulses; I know that I shall yet create a lot of good things, and even better than those I have created so far" <ref name="note3"/>.}}
{{right|P. Tchaikovsky}}
 
}}
==Dedications==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Letter 0086}}
In 1882, Tchaikovsky dedicated his piano piece ''Menuetto scherzoso'' — No. 3 of the [[Six Pieces, Op. 51]] — "à Madame Annette Mercling".
 
==Correspondence with Tchaikovsky==
79 letters from the composer to Anna Merkling have survived, dating from 1871 to 1893, of which those highlighted in bold have been translated into English on this website:
* '''[[Letter 245]]''' – 16/28 December 1871, from [[Moscow]]
* '''[[Letter 350]]''' – 25 April/7 May 1874, from [[Naples]]
* '''[[Letter 1602]]''' – 27 September/9 October 1880, from [[Kamenka]]
* '''[[Letter 1920]]''' – 27 December 1881/8 January 1882, from [[Rome]]
* '''[[Letter 1935]]''' – 15/27 January 1882, from [[Rome]]
* '''[[Letter 2023]]''' – 17/29 May 1882, from [[Kamenka]]
* '''[[Letter 2046]]''' – 18/30 June 1882, from [[Grankino]]
* '''[[Letter 2153]]''' – 2/14 November 1882, from [[Kamenka]]
* '''[[Letter 2194]]''' – 10/22 January 1883, from [[Paris]]
* '''[[Letter 2207]]''' – 24 January/5 February 1883, from [[Paris]]
* '''[[Letter 2212]]''' – 29 January/10 February 1883, from [[Paris]]
* '''[[Letter 2232]]''' – 1/13 March 1883, from [[Paris]]
* '''[[Letter 2276]]''' – 27 April/9 May 1883, from [[Paris]]
* '''[[Letter 2324]]''' – 8/20 August 1883, from [[Podushkino]]
* '''[[Letter 2329]]''' – 16/28 August 1883, from [[Podushkino]]
* '''[[Letter 2360]]''' – 6/18 October 1883, from [[Kamenka]]
* '''[[Letter 2477]]''' – 27 April/9 May 1884, from [[Kamenka]]
* '''[[Letter 2590]]''' – 12/24 November 1884, from [[Davos]]
* '''[[Letter 2665]]''' – 28 February/12 March 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2718]] – 4/16 June 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2732]] – 6/18 July 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2766]] – 13/25 September 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2769]] – 20 September/2 October 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 2790]]''' – by 10/22 October 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 2792]]''' – 11/23 October 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2831]] – 9/21 December 1885, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2889]] – 14/26 February 1886, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2895]] – 20 February/4 March 1886, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 2946]] – 3/15 May 1886, from the Black Sea
* [[Letter 3046]] – 12/24 September 1886, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 3132]]''' – 26 December 1886/7 January 1887, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 3180]]''' – 12/24 February 1887, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 3208]] – 25 March/6 April 1887, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 3277]] – 26 June/8 July 1887, from [[Borzhom]]
* [[Letter 3300]] – 26 July/7 August 1887, from [[Aachen]]
* '''[[Letter 3592]]''' – 14/26 June 1888, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 3601]]''' – 22 June/4 July 1888, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* [[Letter 3606]] – 1/13 July 1888, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* [[Letter 3691]] – 8/20 October 1888, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 3762]]''' – 9/21 January 1889, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 3810]]''' – 28 February/12 March 1889, from [[Hamburg]]
* '''[[Letter 3889]]''' – 27 June/9 July 1889, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* [[Letter 3890]] – 30 June/12 July 1889, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 3924]]''' – 21 August/2 September 1889, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 4025]]''' – 6/18 February 1890, from [[Florence]]
* [[Letter 4028]] – 7/19 February 1890, from [[Florence]]
* '''[[Letter 4033]]''' – 13/25 February 1890, from [[Florence]]
* [[Letter 4042]] – 19 February/3 March 1890, from [[Florence]]
* [[Letter 4059]] – 5/17 March 1890, from [[Florence]]
* [[Letter 4082]] – 27 March/8 April 1890, from [[Rome]]
* '''[[Letter 4093]]''' – 7/19 April 1890, from [[Rome]]
* [[Letter 4143]] – 12/24 June 1890, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 4162]]''' – 2/14 July 1890, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* [[Letter 4223]] – 28 September/10 October 1890, from [[Tiflis]]
* [[Letter 4235]] – 16/28 October 1890, from [[Tiflis]]
* '''[[Letter 4293]]''' – 6/18 January 1891, from [[Frolovskoye]]
* '''[[Letter 4333]]''' – 18 February/2 March 1891, from [[Saint Petersburg]]
* [[Letter 4359]] – 30 March/11 April 1891, from [[Rouen]]
* '''[[Letter 4367a]]''' – 15/27 April 1891, from [[New York]]
* '''[[Letter 4373]]''' – 22 April/4 May 1891, from [[New York]]
* [[Letter 4390]] – 2/14 June 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 4395]]''' – 3/15 June 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 4401]]''' – 11/23 June 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 4438]] – 8/20 July 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 4463]] – 2/14 September 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 4475]] – 12/24 September 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* [[Letter 4478]] – 22 September/4 October 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 4499]]''' – 7/19 October 1891, from [[Maydanovo]]
* '''[[Letter 4591]]''' – 4/16 January 1892, from [[Berlin]]
* [[Letter 4693]] – 20 May/1 June 1892, from [[Klin]]
* [[Letter 4716]] – 28 June/10 July 1892, from [[Vichy]]
* [[Letter 4733]] – 17/29 July 1892, from [[Klin]]
* [[Letter 4751]] – 12/24 August 1892, from [[Klin]]
* '''[[Letter 4838]]''' – 31 December 1892/12 January 1893, from [[Brussels]]
* '''[[Letter 4850]]''' – 24 January/5 February 1893, from [[Odessa]]
* '''[[Letter 4896]]''' – 19/31 March 1893, from [[Klin]]
* [[Letter 4975]] – 19/31 July 1893, from [[Klin]]
* [[Letter 4993]] – 28 July/9 August 1893, from [[Klin]]
* [[Letter 5051]] – 29 September/11 October 1893, from [[Klin]]
 
146 letters from Anna Merkling to the composer, dating from 1880 to 1893, are preserved in the {{RUS-KLč}} at [[Klin]] (a{{sup|4}}, Nos. 2845–2988 & 3103).
 
==Bibliography==
* {{bib|1900/34}} (1900)
* {{bib|1951/48}} (1951)
 
==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">See the introduction to {{bib|1951/49|П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма}} (1951), p. 205.</ref>
<ref name="note2">See the information provided by David Brown in {{bib|1993/33|Tchaikovsky Remembered}} (1993), p.13-14, where the recollections of Anna Merkling are quoted as reported by [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] in {{bib|1997/94|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 1}} (1997), p.71–72.</ref>
<ref name="note3">This conversation between Tchaikovsky and Anna Merkling on the evening of 16/28 October 1893 is reported by [[Aleksandra Panayeva-Kartsova]] in her memoirs, included in {{bib|1980/24|Воспоминания о П. И. Чайковском}} (1980), p. 136. Here is Tchaikovsky's declaration in the original Russian: " — Да, ты угадала, — обрадовался он и начал ей объяснять её [симфонию]. Первая часть — детство и смутные стремления к музыке. Вторая — молодость и светская весёлая жизнь. Третья — жизненная борьба и достижение славы. — Ну а последняя, — добавил он весело, — это «De profundis», чем все кончаем, но для меня это ещё далеко, я чувствую в себе столько энергии, столько творческих сил; я знаю, что теперь создам ещё много, много хорошего и лучшего, чем до сих пор".</ref>
</references>
[[Category:People|Merkling, Anna]]
[[Category:Correspondents|Merkling, Anna]]
[[Category:Dedicatees|Merkling, Anna]]
[[Category:Family|Merkling, Anna]]
__NOTOC__

Revision as of 14:57, 13 February 2024

Anna Merkling (1830-1911)

Cousin of the composer (b. 1830; d. 1911), born Anna Petrovna Tchaikovskaya (Анна Петровна Чайковская); known during her first marriage as Anna Petrovna Yegorova (Анна Петровна Егорова), and after her second marriage as Anna Petrovna Merkling (Анна Петровна Мерклинг).

Anna was the oldest child of the composer's uncle Pyotr Petrovich Tchaikovsky (1789–1871) and his wife Yevdokiya (b. Berens). She married a Mr Yegorov when she was quite young, but they were not happy together, and after the death of an infant daughter they separated. Soon afterwards Anna married for the second time to a Guards' officer, Pyotr Ivanovich Merkling, by whom she had a daughter, Lyubov. However, she was not happy in this marriage either. Her new husband made no progress whatsoever in his military career, and he treated Anna badly. Because of his disagreeable character he was forced to leave his regiment, and on some whim he decided to join the police, accepting a lowly position. But even there he did not get on with his superiors, and he soon left the police as well. He eventually ended up working as a caretaker in a school in Saint Petersburg. Anna, who came from a highly cultured family, suffered greatly as she saw herself and her husband come down in the world, but she nevertheless retained a cheerful outlook on life and liked to take part in amateur theatricals and attend concerts [1].

Although Anna was ten years older than Tchaikovsky, they were inseparable companions from 1852 onwards, when Tchaikovsky's parents moved to Saint Petersburg, and especially after the death of his mother in 1854. They were united by a love of mischief and often devised practical jokes together. Anna would remain Tchaikovsky's favourite cousin all his life, since he valued her ability to rise above adversity thanks to her cheerful character. When her husband suffered financial problems Tchaikovsky lent them a hand [2].

In her memoirs of the composer, Aleksandra Panayeva-Kartsova reported the following conversation which took place between Tchaikovsky and his beloved cousin shortly after the concert in Saint Petersburg on 16/28 October 1893 at which he had conducted the premiere of his Sixth Symphony:

After the concert he saw home his cousin Anna Petrovna Merkling, with whom he had been on very friendly terms ever since his childhood. She was one of the first to appreciate him; she worshipped his talent, and he would constantly share with her his impressions, thoughts, and plans. On this occasion he asked her if she had understood what his new symphony expressed. She replied that the impression she had was that in it he had described his own life.

— Yes, you've guessed right! — he exclaimed joyfully and started to explain it to her — The first movement is childhood and vague strivings after music. The second is youth and merry high society life. The third is the struggle for existence and the achievement of glory. And as for the last movement, — he added cheerfully, — that is the De profundis, with which we all end, but for me that is still a long way ahead; I feel so much energy in me, so many creative impulses; I know that I shall yet create a lot of good things, and even better than those I have created so far" [3].

Dedications

In 1882, Tchaikovsky dedicated his piano piece Menuetto scherzoso — No. 3 of the Six Pieces, Op. 51 — "à Madame Annette Mercling".

Correspondence with Tchaikovsky

79 letters from the composer to Anna Merkling have survived, dating from 1871 to 1893, of which those highlighted in bold have been translated into English on this website:

146 letters from Anna Merkling to the composer, dating from 1880 to 1893, are preserved in the Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve at Klin (a4, Nos. 2845–2988 & 3103).

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. ↑ See the introduction to П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма (1951), p. 205.
  2. ↑ See the information provided by David Brown in Tchaikovsky remembered (1993), p.13-14, where the recollections of Anna Merkling are quoted as reported by Modest Tchaikovsky in Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского, том 1 (1997), p.71–72.
  3. ↑ This conversation between Tchaikovsky and Anna Merkling on the evening of 16/28 October 1893 is reported by Aleksandra Panayeva-Kartsova in her memoirs, included in Воспоминания о П. И. Чайковском (1980), p. 136. Here is Tchaikovsky's declaration in the original Russian: " — Да, ты угадала, — обрадовался он и начал ей объяснять её [симфонию]. Первая часть — детство и смутные стремления к музыке. Вторая — молодость и светская весёлая жизнь. Третья — жизненная борьба и достижение славы. — Ну а последняя, — добавил он весело, — это «De profundis», чем все кончаем, но для меня это ещё далеко, я чувствую в себе столько энергии, столько творческих сил; я знаю, что теперь создам ещё много, много хорошего и лучшего, чем до сих пор".
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