Letter 1727: Difference between revisions

Tchaikovsky Research
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|Translated text={{right|''[[Saint Petersburg]]''<br/>9 April}}
|Translated text={{right|''[[Saint Petersburg]]''<br/>9 April}}
I'm awfully guilt-ridden before you, dear friend! I'm now in my 3rd week living in [[Petersburg]] and not once have I considered writing to you. I've found myself in a very strange mood. I have the utmost aversion to any sort of work, reaching the point where I cannot even write letters without the greatest strain. I find thinking about music objectionable. I have the strongest inclination to flee somewhere, but circumstances oblige me to sit in [[Petersburg]] and wait. I could go to the country now, since my son-in-law has come to take care of my poorly sister, but [[Anatoly]] has come here to see me, and I ought to remain here while he's free. By the start of Holy Week I hope to be in [[Moscow]] for one or two days to meet with my ''closest'' friends, and then I'll go to the country for a while.   
I'm awfully guilt-ridden before you, dear friend! I'm now in my 3rd week living in [[Petersburg]] and not once have I considered writing to you. I've found myself in a very strange mood. I have the utmost aversion to any sort of work, reaching the point where I cannot even write letters without the greatest strain. I find thinking about music horrible. I have the strongest inclination to flee somewhere, but circumstances oblige me to sit in [[Petersburg]] and wait. I could go to the country now, since my son-in-law has come to take care of my poorly sister, but [[Anatoly]] has come here to see me, and I ought to remain here while he's free. By the start of Holy Week I hope to be in [[Moscow]] for one or two days to meet with my ''closest'' friends, and then I'll go to the country for a while.   


I'm sorry that I haven't yet given [[Osip Jurgenson|Iosif Ivanovich]] the power of attorney to receive the performance fees. Still, he won't receive the money until Holy Week in any case. My aversion to human society has reached the point that I've been absolutely nowhere, except for my sister's. I've intended to call on [[Osip Ivanovich]] so many times, but the thought of meeting someone stopped me every time. However, I'm availing myself of the good health I've always sought, which is also my heartfelt wish for you, my dear chap.
I'm sorry that I haven't yet given [[Osip Jurgenson|Iosif Ivanovich]] the power of attorney to receive the performance fees. Still, he won't receive the money until Holy Week in any case. My aversion to human society has reached the point that I've been absolutely nowhere, except for my sister's. I've intended to call on [[Osip Ivanovich]] so many times, but the thought of meeting someone stopped me every time. However, I'm availing myself of the good health I've always sought, which is also my heartfelt wish for you, my dear chap.

Latest revision as of 17:35, 24 January 2024

Date 9/21 April 1881
Addressed to Pyotr Jurgenson
Where written Saint Petersburg
Language Russian
Autograph Location Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (a3, No. 2329)
Publication П. И. Чайковский. Переписка с П. И. Юргенсоном, том 1 (1938), p. 187–188
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том X (1966), p. 82

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
С[анкт] Петербург
9 апр[еля]

Я перед тобой ужасно виноват, милый друг! Живу уже 3-ю неделю в Петербурге и ни разу не собрался написать тебе. На меня нашло очень странное расположение духа. Отвращение ко всякой работе полнейшее, доходящее до того, что я даже письма не могу написать без величайшего напряжения. О музыке мне и думать противно. Стремление куда-нибудь удрать сильнейшее, — но обстоятельства заставляют сидеть в Петербурге и ждать. Теперь я бы мог уехать в деревню, так как для ухода за больной сестрой приехал зять, но зато сюда явился для свидания со мной Анатолий, и пока он свободен, я должен оставаться здесь. Надеюсь в начале фоминой недели быть на один или два дня в Москве исключительно для свидания с ближайшими друзьями, а потом надолго уеду в деревню.

Извини, что я до сих пор ещё не дал Иосифу Ивановичу доверенности на получение поспектакльной платы. Впрочем, до фоминой недели он, во всяком случае, денег не получит. Отвращение к человеческому сообществу дошло у меня до того, что я, кроме сестры, не был ни разу решительно нигде. Сколько раз собирался заехать к Осипу Ивановичу, но мысль, что с кем-нибудь встречусь, всякий раз останавливала меня. А впрочем, пользуюсь вожделенным здравием, чего и тебе, душа моя, от всей души желаю.

Поздравляю с праздником тебя и всех твоих.

Если есть какие корректуры, то удержи их до моего приезда в Москву.

До свидания, милый мой издатель!

Твой П. Чайковский


I'm awfully guilt-ridden before you, dear friend! I'm now in my 3rd week living in Petersburg and not once have I considered writing to you. I've found myself in a very strange mood. I have the utmost aversion to any sort of work, reaching the point where I cannot even write letters without the greatest strain. I find thinking about music horrible. I have the strongest inclination to flee somewhere, but circumstances oblige me to sit in Petersburg and wait. I could go to the country now, since my son-in-law has come to take care of my poorly sister, but Anatoly has come here to see me, and I ought to remain here while he's free. By the start of Holy Week I hope to be in Moscow for one or two days to meet with my closest friends, and then I'll go to the country for a while.

I'm sorry that I haven't yet given Iosif Ivanovich the power of attorney to receive the performance fees. Still, he won't receive the money until Holy Week in any case. My aversion to human society has reached the point that I've been absolutely nowhere, except for my sister's. I've intended to call on Osip Ivanovich so many times, but the thought of meeting someone stopped me every time. However, I'm availing myself of the good health I've always sought, which is also my heartfelt wish for you, my dear chap.

Congratulations to you and all yours on the holidays.

If there are any proofs, keep hold of them until I arrive in Moscow.

Until we meet, my dear publisher!

Yours, P. Tchaikovsky