Letter 3763a

Tchaikovsky Research
Date 9/21 January 1889
Addressed to Vasily Safonov
Where written Frolovskoye
Language Russian
Autograph Location Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (a3, No. 345)
Publication Василий Ильич Сафонов (1959), p. 199–200
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XVII (1981), p. 248–249.
Notes Original incorrectly dated "9 November 1888" [1]

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
9 ноября [18]88 г[ода]

Дорогой Василий Ильич!

Простите, что забыл своевременно отослать к Вам билет мой.

У меня к Вам есть просьба. В будущее воскресенье ко мне приедет к обеду С. И. Танеев. Не пожалуете ли и Вы и не привезёте ли с собой Карла Юльевича? Я бы ужасно был рад видеть Вас и его у себя перед долгой разлукой. Напишите, словечко ответа.

Ваш, П. Чайковский

Разумеется, буду очень счастлив, если и Варвара Ивановна удостоит посещением.

Ужасно сожалею, что не могу завтра присутствовать на вашем квартетном вечере!!!

9 November 1888

Forgive me for forgetting to send off to you for my ticket in time [2].

I have a request for you. Next Sunday S. I. Taneyev is coming to me for dinner. Won't you come along too, and could you bring Karl Yulevich? I should be terribly glad to see you both before we're parted for a long while [3]. Please write a word or two in reply.

Yours, P. Tchaikovsky

Naturally I should be very happy if Varvara Ivanovna [4] were to do me the honour of visiting too.

I'm terribly sorry that I can't attend your quartet evening tomorrow!!!

Notes and References

  1. On that date Tchaikovsky was abroad, but the editors of П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XVII (1981) were able to establish the correct date based on Safonov's letter of reply, and the date of the quartet concert referred to.
  2. Tchaikovsky had apparently been allocated a ticket to the first chamber concert organised by Safonov and Karl Davydov in Moscow on 10/22 January 1889, comprising three cello sonatas by Beethoven.
  3. On 22 January/3 February 1889, Tchaikovsky was leaving Russia for his second concert tour of western Europe.
  4. Safonov's wife, the mezzo-soprano Varvara Ivanovna Safonova (née Vyshnegradskaya, 1863-1921).