Letter 4190a
| Date | 2/14 August 1890 |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Hermann Fernow |
| Where written | Frolovskoye |
| Language | French |
| Autograph Location | unknown [1] |
| Publication | Čajkovskijs Homosexualität und sein Tod. Legenden und Wirklichkeit (1998), p. 184 (abridged) |
Text and Translation
This incomplete text is based on the extracts published in Sotheby's 1996 catalogue [2], which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.
| French text (original) |
English translation By Brett Langston |
14 August 1890 [...] J'attendrai avec une bien vive impatience une réponse décisive à la grande question de l'Amérique. Je compte bien sur votre discrétion, cher M[onsieu]r Fernow. Vous aurez la bonté d'adresser votre prochaine lettre à Moscou, aux soins de P. I. Jurgenson ; il sera toujours au courant de mes pérégrinations [...] un grand voyage à l'intérieur, que je terminerai par un séjour de 2 mois à Tiflis (Caucase). Je Vous serre bien cordialement la main et tout en Vous priant de transmettres mes salutations à M[ada]me Votre femme et à M[ademois]elle Votre sœur, aussi qu'a M[ada]me Schiller, je signe Votre bien dévoué, P. Tschaïkovsky |
14 August 1890 [3] [...] I shall await with most fervent anticipation a definitive response to the great question of America. I am certainly relying on your discretion, dear Monsieur Fernow. You will be so good as to address your next letter to Moscow, to the care of P. I. Jurgenson; he will always be informed of my peregrinations [...] a great interior voyage, which I shall conclude with a 2-month stay in Tiflis (Caucuses). I shake your hand most cordially, while asking you to convey my greetings to Madame your wife and Mademoiselle your sister [4], and also to Madame Schiller [5], I sign your most devoted, P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ Auctioned on 6 December 1996 by Sotheby's, London.
- ↑ Sotheby's. Fine Printed and Manuscript Music. London, 6 December 1996, No. 269, including facsimile of last page (transcribed here by Professor Thomas Kohlhase).
- ↑ Previously numbered 4197a based on presumed old-style date (14/26 August), but its contents suggest that new style (i.e. 2/14 August) is more likely.
- ↑ Probably Anna Fernow, whom Tchaikovsky had known since 1879.
- ↑ Possibly the pianist Madeleine Schiller (1843-1911), who on 31 October 1881 [O.S.] had given the world premiere of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2 in New York.
