Nine Church Pieces and Letter 537: Difference between pages

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Tchaikovsky's '''''Nine Church Pieces''''' (Девять духовно-музыкальных сочинений) for unaccompanied mixed voices ([[TH]] 78 ; [[ČW]] 79-87), also known as '''''Nine Sacred Pieces''''', were written between November 1884 and the summer of 1885.  
{{letterhead
|Date=19/31 January 1877
|To=[[Aleksandra Davydova]]
|Place=[[Moscow]]  
|Language=Russian
|Autograph=[[Saint Petersburg]] (Russia): {{RUS-SPsc}} (ф. 834, ед. хр. 17, л. 21–22)
|Publication={{bib|1940/210|П. И. Чайковский. Письма к родным ; том 1}} (1940), p. 274 <br/>{{bib|1961/38|П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений ; том VI}} (1961), p. 109–110
}}
==Text and Translation==
{{Lettertext
|Language=Russian
|Translator=Brett Langston
|Original text={{right|''Москва''<br/>19 янв[аря] 1877}}
Получив твоё письмо, мой Ангел Саня, я тотчас же отвёз Екатер[ине] Вас[ильевне] 200 р[ублей] сер[ебром]. Что касается остальных денег, то у меня к тебе большая просьба. Ради Бога, позволь им немножко у меня полежать. В последнее время я немножко позапутался и сижу без гроша. Мне очень совестно, что я так неделикатно с тобой поступаю, но ведь я задержу ваши деньги очень не надолго. Через месяц я поправлю свои делишки и пришлю их тебе или же ты дашь мне какое-нибудь поручение.


==Instrumentation==
Очень и очень боюсь я, что рояль тебе не понравится. Ему пришлось долго на жестоком морозе ожидать своей отправки. Не подействовало ли это на него? Во всяком случае, знай одно. В случае, если вы будете инструментом недовольны, — я за ту же цену тотчас же отдам его в Консерваторию, и вы во всяком случае ничего не потеряете. Даже издержки на отправку Консерватория возьмёт на себя.
Scored for unaccompanied mixed chorus (SATB). ''Let My Prayer Ascend'' (No. 8) includes parts for SSA soloists.


==Movements and Duration==
У меня зародился теперь план поездки в Париж с целью дать там концерт из своих сочинений, и все мои помыслы направлены теперь к приведению в исполнение смелого предприятия. Что это полезно будет для распространения моей известности, об этом и говорить нечего, но денег оно будет стоить много, и достану ли я их, это большой ещё вопрос, хотя и есть надежда.  
#'''Cherubim's Song No.1''' (Херувимская песнь № 1)<br/>Quite slowly (F major, 78 bars).
#'''Cherubim's Song No.2''' (Херувимская песнь № 2)<br/>Slowly (D major, 116 bars).
#'''Cherubim's Song No.3''' (Херувимская песнь № 3)<br/>Slowly (C major, 85 bars).
#'''We Hymn Thee''' (Тебе поем)<br/>Moderately (C major, 36 bars).
#'''It is Truly Fitting''' (Достойно есть)<br/>Moderately (D minor, 48 bars).
#'''Our Father''' (Отче наш)<br/>Quite lively—More slowly (F major, 70 bars).
#'''Blessed Are They Whom Thou Hast Chosen''' (Блаженни, яже избрал)<br/>Quite slowly (E-flat major, 58 bars).
#'''Let My Prayer Ascend''' (Да исправится)<br/>Slowly (D minor, 15 bars).
#'''Now the Heavenly Powers''' (Ныне Силы Небесныя) <ref name="note1"/><br/>Slowly (G major, 78 bars) .
A complete performance of all nine pieces lasts around 45 to 50 minutes.


==Text==
Катар мой разыгрался совсем. Летом необходимо будет полечиться, а между тем сомнительно, чтобы я попал за границу. Если останусь в России, то буду пить воды в Вербовке. На святой неделе надеюсь быть в Каменке и приветствовать начало весны вместе с тобой.
The words were adapted by Tchaikovsky from Russian liturgical texts. No. 7 uses verses from the Russian Orthodox Liturgy, and No. 8 is based on the text of Psalm 140.


==Composition==
Будь здорова, моя голубушка. Целую крепко тебя, Леву и всех.
On the way to [[Davos]], while staying for four days in [[Berlin]], the composer wrote the first two ''Cherubim's Songs'', as he told [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] from [[Munich]] on 7/19 November 1884 <ref name="note2"/>. During his visit to [[Davos]], to see the gravely-ill [[Iosif Kotek]], the third ''Cherubim's Song'' was composed, and all three were copied out and sent to [[Mily Balakirev]] at the Imperial Chapel Choir.
{{right|Твой П. Чайковский}}


Tchaikovsky told [[Balakirev]]: "I have written three ''Cherubim's Songs'', which I am now sending to you... If [[Alexander III|His Majesty]] orders [the Imperial Chapel Choir] to study one of them, then I humbly ask you, my good fellow, to choose which one of the three you consider to be superior. In my opinion the third (in C major) is the best, but I fear lest my attempt to imitate ''non-notated'' sacred chants (in "That we may receive the King") <ref name="note3"/> should strike you as unsuccessful and inappropriate. Then again the remaining two are different, in that one (in D major) sounds closer in style to [[Bortnyansky]], while the other is much further away, although I am admittedly a poor judge of my own works, and you have complete discretion to choose any one of them <ref name="note4"/>.  
|Translated text={{right|''[[Moscow]]''<br/>19 January 1877}}
On receiving your letter, my Angel [[Sasha]], I immediately gave 200 silver rubles to Yekaterina Vasilyevna. Regarding the rest of the money, then I have a big favour to ask of you. For God's sake, let me keep it for a while. I've been in a bit of a muddle recently, and I'm sitting here penniless. I'm very ashamed for behaving so indelicately towards you, but I really won't keep your money for very long. Within a month I'll have put my affairs in order and send it to you, or follow whatever instructions you give.  


In reply, [[Mily Balakirev]] told him: "I received your ''Cherubim's Songs'' some time ago, and since I was not ordered to make a hasty decision, I sent them to your publisher friend in order to study them from the printed parts, which is more straightforward for choral works. On their relative merits I shall say nothing, since I have hardly seen them. But with regard to the one in C major, which you prefer, then I am not sure that it could be considered the best. From the start its piquancy is undermined by an out-of-place dance rhythm [after the opening notes]. Anyway, in spite of these reservations,  it is my considered opinion they should be published" <ref name="note5"/>.
I'm very, very afraid that you won't like the piano. It's been waiting such a long time in the bitter cold to be delivered. Won't this have affected it? In any event, just know one thing: if it turns out that you're dissatisfied with the instrument, I'll immediately give it to the Conservatory for the same price, so that whatever happens you won't lose anything. The Conservatory will even cover the delivery costs.  


Leaving [[Davos]] for [[Paris]], Tchaikovsky told his brother [[Modest]] on 3/15 December 1884 that he had successfully written one church number <ref name="note6"/>. Following his return to Russia in April 1885, Tchaikovsky again set to work on composing church music, and wrote of this to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] on 15/27 April: "I am presently working on a number of things for the church; between ourselves I have written a trio ''Let My Prayer Ascend''" <ref name="note7"/>.
I've hatched a plan for a trip to [[Paris]] with the aim of giving a concert of my works there, and all my thoughts are now directed towards carrying out this audacious undertaking. It goes without saying that it will be useful in spreading my fame, but it will cost a lot of money, and whether I can acquire that is still a big question, although there is hope.  


Precise information on the completion dates for all nine numbers has not survived, but during the summer of 1885, Tchaikovsky worked on the proofs of six numbers (Nos. 4–9); in July the proofs were sent to [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] with authorisation to print them <ref name="note8"/>.
My catarrh has cleared up completely. I'll need a treatment in the summer, but in the meantime it's doubtful that I'll make it abroad. If I stay in Russia then I'll take the waters at [[Verbovka]]. I hope to be at [[Kamenka]] for Holy Week, and to welcome in the start of spring with you.


==Arrangements==
Keep well, my golubushka. I kiss you, Lev and everyone hard.
A reduction for solo piano (intended as an aid to rehearsals) was made by Tchaikovsky at the same time as the fair copy of each number.
{{right|Yours P. Tchaikovsky}}
 
}}
==Performances==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Letter 0537}}
The first performance took place on 17 February/1 March 1886 in the [[Moscow]] Conservatory at an evening concert of church music by the Russian Choral Society, conducted by Dmitry Orlov. The composer wrote that "one of [[Moscow]]'s best church choirs performed a programme, which I put together, of various new compositions from the realm of church music. Some of my new church pieces were included, and were sung very well" <ref name="note9"/>.
 
==Publication==
The full scores were published by [[Pyotr Jurgenson]] in 1885 as separate numbers: the three Cherubim's Songs in February 1885 <ref name="note10"/>, and the remaining numbers in August 1885 <ref name="note11"/>. A subsequent edition containing all nine pieces was issued in December 1896.
 
The Nine Pieces (omitting the piano reduction) were published in volume 63 of Tchaikovsky's ''[[Complete Collected Works]]'' (1990), edited by Lyudmila Korabelnikova and Marina Rakhmanova.
 
==Autographs==
Tchaikovsky's manuscript scores of all nine pieces are now preserved in the {{RUS-Mcm}} in [[Moscow]] {{TOW2|devyat-duhovno-muzykalnyh-sochineniy-dlya-smeshannogo-hora|(ф. 88, No. 125)}}.
 
==Recordings==
{{reclink}}
 
==Related Works==
According to Tchaikovsky's note on the sketches, the main tune of ''We Hymn Thee'' (No. 4) is based on a melody from the Common Chant of the Russian Orthodox service.
 
==External Links==
* {{imslpscore|9_Sacred_Pieces_(Tchaikovsky,_Pyotr)|9 Sacred Pieces}}
 
==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">In [[ČW]] Nos. 1 to 3 are styled "Cherubic Songs"; No. 8 is translated as ''Let My Prayer Arise'', and No. 9 as ''Now the Powers of Heaven''.</ref>
<ref name="note2">[[Letter 2587]] to [[Pyotr Jurgenson]], 7/19 November 1884.</ref>
<ref name="note3">«Яко да Царя» — the opening words of a verse in the ''Cherubic Song''.</ref>
<ref name="note4">[[Letter 2594]] to [[Mily Balakirev]], 17/29 November 1884.</ref>
<ref name="note5">Letter from [[Mily Balakirev]] to Tchaikovsky, 18/30 December 1884 — [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive.</ref>
<ref name="note6">[[Letter 2617]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 3/15 December 1884. The number was ''To Thee We Hymn —''see Notebook No. 16 in [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive.</ref>
<ref name="note7">[[Letter 2688]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 15/27 April 1885. See also [[Letter 2689]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]] of the same date.</ref>
<ref name="note8">See [[Letter 2734]] to [[Sofiya Jurgenson]], 9/21 July 1885.</ref>
<ref name="note9">[[Letter 2896]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 21 February/5 March–25 February/9 March 1886.</ref>
<ref name="note10">Passed by the censor on 17/29 January 1885.</ref>
<ref name="note11">Passed by the censor on 13/25 July 1885.</ref>
</references>
[[Category:Choruses]]

Revision as of 17:23, 31 January 2024

Date 19/31 January 1877
Addressed to Aleksandra Davydova
Where written Moscow
Language Russian
Autograph Location Saint Petersburg (Russia): National Library of Russia (ф. 834, ед. хр. 17, л. 21–22)
Publication П. И. Чайковский. Письма к родным (1940), p. 274
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том VI (1961), p. 109–110

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original) 		English translation
By Brett Langston
Москва
19 янв[аря] 1877

Получив твоё письмо, мой Ангел Саня, я тотчас же отвёз Екатер[ине] Вас[ильевне] 200 р[ублей] сер[ебром]. Что касается остальных денег, то у меня к тебе большая просьба. Ради Бога, позволь им немножко у меня полежать. В последнее время я немножко позапутался и сижу без гроша. Мне очень совестно, что я так неделикатно с тобой поступаю, но ведь я задержу ваши деньги очень не надолго. Через месяц я поправлю свои делишки и пришлю их тебе или же ты дашь мне какое-нибудь поручение.

Очень и очень боюсь я, что рояль тебе не понравится. Ему пришлось долго на жестоком морозе ожидать своей отправки. Не подействовало ли это на него? Во всяком случае, знай одно. В случае, если вы будете инструментом недовольны, — я за ту же цену тотчас же отдам его в Консерваторию, и вы во всяком случае ничего не потеряете. Даже издержки на отправку Консерватория возьмёт на себя.

У меня зародился теперь план поездки в Париж с целью дать там концерт из своих сочинений, и все мои помыслы направлены теперь к приведению в исполнение смелого предприятия. Что это полезно будет для распространения моей известности, об этом и говорить нечего, но денег оно будет стоить много, и достану ли я их, это большой ещё вопрос, хотя и есть надежда.

Катар мой разыгрался совсем. Летом необходимо будет полечиться, а между тем сомнительно, чтобы я попал за границу. Если останусь в России, то буду пить воды в Вербовке. На святой неделе надеюсь быть в Каменке и приветствовать начало весны вместе с тобой.

Будь здорова, моя голубушка. Целую крепко тебя, Леву и всех.

Твой П. Чайковский
Moscow
19 January 1877

On receiving your letter, my Angel Sasha, I immediately gave 200 silver rubles to Yekaterina Vasilyevna. Regarding the rest of the money, then I have a big favour to ask of you. For God's sake, let me keep it for a while. I've been in a bit of a muddle recently, and I'm sitting here penniless. I'm very ashamed for behaving so indelicately towards you, but I really won't keep your money for very long. Within a month I'll have put my affairs in order and send it to you, or follow whatever instructions you give.

I'm very, very afraid that you won't like the piano. It's been waiting such a long time in the bitter cold to be delivered. Won't this have affected it? In any event, just know one thing: if it turns out that you're dissatisfied with the instrument, I'll immediately give it to the Conservatory for the same price, so that whatever happens you won't lose anything. The Conservatory will even cover the delivery costs.

I've hatched a plan for a trip to Paris with the aim of giving a concert of my works there, and all my thoughts are now directed towards carrying out this audacious undertaking. It goes without saying that it will be useful in spreading my fame, but it will cost a lot of money, and whether I can acquire that is still a big question, although there is hope.

My catarrh has cleared up completely. I'll need a treatment in the summer, but in the meantime it's doubtful that I'll make it abroad. If I stay in Russia then I'll take the waters at Verbovka. I hope to be at Kamenka for Holy Week, and to welcome in the start of spring with you.

Keep well, my golubushka. I kiss you, Lev and everyone hard.

Yours P. Tchaikovsky

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