Letter 3768
| Date | 13/25 January 1889 |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Félix Mackar |
| Where written | Frolovskoye |
| Language | French |
| Autograph Location | Washington (District of Columbia, USA): The Library of Congress, Music Division (Hans Moldenhauer collection, box 53) [1] |
| Publication | Revue de musicologie, tom 64 (1968), no. 1, p. 72–73 П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XV-А (1976), p. 28–29. |
| Notes | Original incorrectly dated "February" Also formerly numbered 3793a |
Text and Translation
| French text (original) |
English translation By Brett Langston |
13/25 Février [18]89 Kline Mon cher ami!
Jurgenson et un certain M[onsieu]r Zet (agent de concerts à Pétersbourg) se sont réuni pour prendre sur eux l'organisation des concerts russes. C'était il y a quelques mois et j'ai été témoin de leur conférence sur ce chapitre. Depuis lors ils ont écrit, ils ont demandé des renseignements, ils ont proposé leur services, — mais, jamais il n'y a eu de réponse. Je ne sais dans quelle phase se trouve toute cette histoire. Pour que les concerts russes s'organisent il faut, à défaut de subsides et de protection de la part du Gouvernement russe, — que le Gouvernement français ou le Comité de l'Exposition s'en occupe. Telle est je crois l'opinion de Jurgenson. Quel malheur qu'on ait voulu '89 pour l'Exposition! Cette dâte fatale empêche beaucoup de choses! Songe combien par exemple ma position à Paris sera critique! Moi qui ai été comblé des bienfaits de l'Empereur, j'aurai l'air d'un ingrat en me mêlant à toutes ces festivités républicaines auquelles. Sa Majesté ne peut simpathiser. Enfin nous parlerons de tout cela à Paris dans quelques semaines. Je serai bien content de te revoir ainsi que la bonne M[ada]me Mackar. Je V[ou]s embrasse tous les deux (si Madame veut bien le permettre) et en te disant : au revoir je signe. P. Tschaikovsky |
My dear friend!
Jurgenson and a certain Monsieur Zet [2] (a concert agent in Petersburg) have joined forces to take it upon themselves to organise the Russian concerts [3]. It was several months ago that I witnessed their conference on this matter. Since then they have written, asking for information, and offering their services — but they have never had any response. I do not know where the matter now stands. In order for Russian concerts to be organised in the absence of subsidies and support from the Russian government, then it is a matter for the French government or for the Exposition Committee. Such, I believe, is the opinion of Jurgenson. What a pity the Exposition had to be in '89. Such a fatal date in so many ways![4] And just imagine how awkward my situation in Paris will be! Replete with all the advantages afforded me by the Emperor, ungratefully joining in with all the republican festivities. His Majesty would not be sympathetic. Anyway we'll talk about all this in Paris in a few weeks. I shall be very happy to see you again, as well as the fair Madame Mackar. I embrace you both (if Madame will allow it) and I shall conclude by saying: au revoir. P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ The autograph was previously at Paris (France): Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département de la Musique.
- ↑ Julius Ivanovich Zet, a pianist and concert impresario, who also helped to arrange some of Tchaikovsky's concert tours outside Russia.
- ↑ Tchaikovsky is referring to the Exposition Universelle held in Paris between May and October 1889.
- ↑ The exposition was celebrating the centenary of the French revolution in 1789, which deposed King Louis XVI (who was later executed).
