Letter 4305

Tchaikovsky Research
Date 15/27 January 1891
Addressed to Pyotr Jurgenson
Where written Frolovskoye
Language Russian
Autograph Location Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (a3, No. 2745)
Publication Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского, том 3 (1902), p. 425 (abridged)
П. И. Чайковский. Переписка с П. И. Юргенсоном, том 2 (1952), p. 197–198
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XVI-А (1976), p. 33
Tchaikovsky in America. The composer's visit in 1891 (1986), p. 13 (English translation)

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
15 января 1891

Милый друг!

Вольф мне прислал американское письмо того господина, который устроил моё приглашение. Это до того выгодно и легко, что было бы безумие упустить случаи съездить в Америку, о чём я так давно мечтал. Этим объясняется моя вчерашняя телеграмма. В Америке, где по телеграфу узнали, что у меня больна рука и что я не приеду, очень обеспокоились и ждут с нетерпением ответа: да или нет.

Пожалуйста, собери сведения, кто и когда приедут ко мне в субботу и воскресенье.

Отвечай сейчас же!

Твои, П. Чайковский

15 January 1891

Dear friend!

Wolff has sent me an American letter from that gentleman who arranged my invitation [1]. This is so advantageous and straightforward that it would be madness to miss out on the chance to go to America, which I have long dreamed of. This explains my telegram yesterday [2]. In America, where they learned by telegram that I had a bad hand, they were very concerned that I was not coming, and were impatiently waiting for a response: yes or no [3].

Please, put together a list of who and when are coming to see me on Saturday and Sunday [4].

Reply at once!

Yours, P. Tchaikovsky

Notes and References

  1. Hermann Wolff's letter to Tchaikovsky, dated 11/23 January 1891, enclosed a letter to the composer from Morris Reno, written on 28 December 1890/9 January 1891.
  2. This telegram has not survived.
  3. In a letter dated 15/27 January 1891, Pyotr Jurgenson informed Tchaikovsky that on receiving his telegram he had telegraphed Hermann Wolff to confirm that Tchaikovsky would be visiting America.
  4. On 19/31 January 1891, Jurgenson sent Tchaikovsky the list of people who had been invited to the composer's home at Frolovskoye: "Coming: Ziloti, Ladukhin, Arensky, Remezov and Jurgenson. Zverev — doubtful. Kashkin — not going".