Letter 4141
| Date | 12/24 June 1890 |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Karl Albrecht |
| Where written | Frolovskoye |
| Language | Russian |
| Autograph Location | Moscow (Russia): Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum (Albrekht collection) |
| Publication | Чайковский на Московской сцене (1940), p. 294–295 П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XV-Б (1977), p. 175 |
Text and Translation
| Russian text (original) |
English translation By Luis Sundkvist |
12 июня г[ород] Клин, Моск[овской] губ[ернии] Милый друг Карлуша!
Я был в Москве и не заехал к тебе! Прости, голубчик. Просто времени не нашёл, чтобы по душе побеседовать, а на краткий визит заезжать не стоило. В следующий раз, что буду в Москве, непременно нужно будет повидаться с Поповым. Я удивлён только, что они в дружбе; ещё недавно это были враги. Не приедешь ли ты ко мне? Я бы очень, очень был рад. Не можешь ли в ту субботу приехать с почтовым поездом? Предупреждаю только, что у меня будет А. И. Губерт. Если это тебе не нравится, то не приедешь ли в ту субботу 24-го числа? Если привезёшь с собой Анну Леонтьевну и сыновей, то весьма, весьма буду рад. Ночевать всем найдётся место; если же это тебе не нравится, то можно приехать в воскресенье утром и уехать вечером. Оперу я кончил. Принимаюсь за секстет для стр[унных] инструментов, уже давно обещанный Квартетному Обществу Евгения Карловича. Обнимаю! Напиши словечко в ответ. Всем твоим поклоны. П. Чайковский |
Dear friend Karlusha!
I was in Moscow and didn't drop in to see you![1] Forgive me, golubchik. I simply couldn't find the time for a proper heart-to-heart talk, and I didn't think it was worth dropping in just for a brief visit. The next time I'm in Moscow, I shall go and see Popov without fail. I'm only surprised that they're on friendly terms: not so long ago they were enemies [2]. Could you not come to visit me? I should be very, very glad. Would it be possible for you to come with the mail train on that Saturday?[3] I should just warn you that A. I. Hubert will be staying with me. If you don't like that, then couldn't you come instead on Saturday the 24th? If you were to bring with you Anna Leontyevna and your sons, I should be extremely glad. There's always room for everyone to stay overnight. If, however, you don't like that, then you could come on Sunday morning and leave in the evening. I've finished the opera. I've set about a sextet for stringed instruments, which long ago I promised to Yevgeny Karlovich's Quartet Society [4]. I hug you! Write me a word or two in reply. Bows to all yours. P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ On 8/20 June 1890 Tchaikovsky completed the orchestration of The Queen of Spades, and the following day he left his home in Frolovskoye to come to Moscow for three days.
- ↑ In his letter of 11/23 June 1890 (to which Tchaikovsky is replying here) Albrecht had written: "You promised me to go and see Orlov if you were in Moscow. But you can get more detailed information about this matter from Iv[an] Petrov[ich] Popov: as someone not directly concerned, but who is very close to Orlov, he can tell you everything in more detail" — note by Vasily Kiselev in Чайковский на московской сцене (1940), p. 295.
- ↑ 29 June 1890 [O.S.], a Saturday, was Tchaikovsky's name-day, and he wanted to celebrate this in Frolovskoye with his friends.
- ↑ In the summer of 1887 Tchaikovsky had jotted down some sketches for a string sextet, and, although he abandoned this composition, he returned to the idea of a sextet three years later and, on 13/25 July 1890, began composing the work which was to be known as Souvenir de Florence.
