Letter 3780

Tchaikovsky Research
Date 2/14 February 1889
Addressed to Aleksey Sofronov
Where written Frankfurt
Language Russian
Autograph Location Saint Petersburg (Russia): National Library of Russia (ф. 834, ед. хр. 27, л. 33–34)
Publication П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XV-А (1976), p. 39

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
2/14 февр[аля] [18]89
Франкфурт

Думаю, что ты на меня сердишься, Алёша, за то, что я ни разу ещё не писал, — но, ей-Богу, мне нет возможности находить время для писем. Скажу тебе, что путешествую благополучно, но страшно скучаю и даю себе слово никогда больше не уезжать из дому.

Первый концерт состоялся в Кёльне третьего дня и очень успешно; меня принимали великолепно. Сегодня здесь была первая репетиция концерта.

Здоровье слава Богу хорошо; беспрестанно вас вспоминаю. Что-то Вы поделываете! Обнимаю тебя и Феклушу; кланяйся Гавр[иле] Ал[ексеевичу], Ал[ександре] Дм[итриевне], Андрею, Никите (если он остался) и Дуре. Будьте все здоровы! Пиши.

П. Чайковский

2/14 February 1889
Frankfurt

I imagine you're angry with me, Alyosha, for not having written — but, my God, I've had no opportunity to find time for letters. I can tell you that the journey went well, but I'm terribly homesick, and have promised myself never to leave for home for so long again.

The first concert took place in Cologne three days ago and was very successful; they gave me a magnificent reception [1]. Today was the first rehearsal for the concert here.

My health is good, praise God; I think about you continually. Keep busy! I hug you and Feklusha; bow to Gavril Alekseyevich, Aleksandra Dmitryevna, Andrey, Nikita (if he's stayed) and Dura [2]. Keep well everyone! Write.

P. Tchaikovsky

Notes and References

  1. On 31 January/12 February 1889, Tchaikovsky had conducted his Suite No. 3 at the Gürzenich in Cologne, after which a dinner was given in his honour.
  2. These were, respectively, the estate manager at Frolovskoye, and his wife, two servants, and their dog.