Letter 4475a

Tchaikovsky Research
Revision as of 23:20, 24 February 2020 by Brett (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Date 12/24 September 1891
Addressed to Selma Rahter
Where written Maydanovo
Language German
Autograph Location unknown [1].
Publication
Tschaikowsky-Gesellschaft Mitteilungen, Heft 14 (2007), p. 7–8 (including facsimile of p. 1)
Tchaikovsky Research Bulletin No. 1 (February 2011), p. 65-66 (extract; includes English translation, p. 66)

Text and Translation

Based on the facsimiles published in Sotheby's 2005 and Stargardt's 2006 auction catalogues [2].

German text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
Kline, neben Moskau  12 Sept[ember]
24 Sept[ember]
 1891

Hochgeehrte Frau Rather!

Ihr Brief hat mich sehr gerüht und ich bin Ihnen für Freudschaft und das Wohlwollen zu mir, das Sie darin ausdrücken, innig dankbar. Je mehr ich Ihren verstobenen Gatten hochschätze und lieb hatte, desto tiefer fühlte ich mit bei dem Verluste, der Sie betroffen hat. Es freut mich zu erfahren, sas Sie das Geschäft fortzuführen gedenken und dass ich mit einer mir persönlich so sympatischen Familie in geschäftlicher Verbindung bleibe.

Da meine Oper in diesem Winter in Hamburg gegeben wird, so werde ich Sie Alle wiedersehen. Bis dahin (ich komme warscheinlich im Januar) drücke ich Ihnen mit herzlichstem Grusse die Hände. Bitte die liebe Frau Delaprée herzlich zu grüssen. Ich umarme Daniel und alle Kinder!

Auf Wiedersehen liebe, gute, hochgeehrte Frau Rahter.

Ihr ergebenster,

P. Tschaïkowsky

Klin, near Moscow  12 September
24 September
 1891

Highly respected Frau Rahter!

Your letter has made me very happy, and I am profoundly grateful for your friendship and for the goodwill to me that you expressed in it. The more love and respect I had for your late husband, the more deeply I felt the loss that has affected you. I was pleased to learn that you intend to continue the business, and that I be will remaining in personal communication with such a sympathetic family concern.

Since my opera will be given in Hamburg this winter, then I shall see you all again. Until then (I shall probably come in January) I shake all your hands warmly. Please give my warm regards to dear Frau Delaprée. I hug Daniel and and all the children!

Until we meet, dear, good, highly respected Frau Rahter

Yours most devoted,

P. Tchaikovsky

Notes and References

  1. The autograph was auctioned on 1 December 2005 by J. A. Stargardt in Berlin, 21–22 November 2006, and had previously been sold by Sotheby's, London, on 1 December 2005.
  2. J. A. Stargardt, Autographen aus allen Gebieten. Auktion am 21. und 22. November 2006 (facsimile of p. 2 only).