Letter 3014a - Revision history

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{{letterhead
|Date=25 July/6 August 1886
|To=[[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner]]
|Place=[[Maydanovo]]
|Language=French
|Autograph=Tübingen (Germany): {{D-Tu}}
|Publication={{bib|1981/80|П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений ; том XVII}} (1981), p. 239<br/>{{bibx|1998/46|Čajkovskijs Homosexualität und sein Tod. Legenden und Wirklichkeit}} (1998), p. 214–216. }}

==Text and Translation==
{{Lettertext
|Language=French
|Translator=Luis Sundkvist
|Original text={{right|''25 Juillet 1886<br/>Kline, Maidanowo''}}
{{centre|Chère et bonne Madame!}}
Je me mets à Vos genoux et V[ou]s demande un million de pardons. Ce matin, en relisant Votre lettre, que {{sic|déja|déjà}} depuis longtemps j'avais reçue, j'y trouve une question à {{sic|la quelle|laquelle}} j'ai complètement oublie de répondre. En recevant cette lettre, j'ai été si content d'apprendre que Brandoukoff {{sic|etaitétait}} engagé, — que j'avais oublié les autres artistes dont il'est question dans Votre lettre. De grâce, excusez[-]moi. Cela prouve combien je suis peu propre à exercer les devoirs d'un Directeur et, que quand il s'agit d'affaires il ne faut jamais s'adresser à un homme aussi distrait que moi. V[ou]s me demandez si M[onsieu]r Max peut engager ''M[ada]me Nazman-Neruda'' (je crois que c'est ce nom là, mais je n'en suis pas sûr car je lis difficilement Votre {{sic|ecriture|écriture}}) à raison de '' mille rubles''. Mais, chère Madame, je Vous assure que je ne sais que répondre à cette question. Je crains de prendre sur moi de résoudre cette question; il faudrait '' eine Sitzung'', mais en fait de Directeurs il n'y a en ce moment que ''Jurgenson'' et ''moi''. Certainement '' mille'' rubles c'est beaucoup et personellement je trouve qu'on pourrait s'en passer, — mais si vraiment c'est une artiste capable de produire un grand effet, et si M[onsieu]r Max a {{sic|grand|grande}} envie de l'inviter, il peut, ce me semble, se permettre cette petite liberté. Dans tous les cas je promets de ne pas lui en faire {{sic|des|de}} reproches.

Sur ce, permettez[-]moi, chère Madame de Vous souhaiter à Vous et à M[onsieu]r Max toutes les {{sic|prosperités|=prospérités}} possibles, et de me dire Votre très {{sic|devoué|dévoué}} serviteur.
{{right|P. Tschaïkovsky}}

|Translated text={{right|''25 July 1886<br/>[[Klin]], [[Maydanovo]]}}
{{centre|Dear and kind Madame!}}
I throw myself at your feet and ask your forgiveness a million times. This morning, while rereading your letter, which I had received a long time ago, I came across a question to which I had completely forgotten to reply <ref name="note1"/>. When I received this letter I was so glad to find out that [[Brandukov]] had been engaged, that I forgot about the other artists mentioned in your letter <ref name="note2"/>. Be so good as to forgive me. This proves how little I am suited to fulfilling the duties of a Director, and that in business matters one should never turn to someone as absentminded as me <ref name="note3"/>. You ask me whether Monsieur [[Max Erdmannsdörfer|Max]] can engage ''Madame Nazman-Neruda'' (I think this is her name, but I'm not sure because I have trouble reading your handwriting) for the sum of ''one thousand rubles'' <ref name="note4"/>. But dear Madame, I assure you that I do not know what to reply to this question. It would require ''eine Sitzung'' <ref name="note5"/>, but the only directors around at present are ''[[Jurgenson]]'' and ''myself''. Of course, ''a thousand'' rubles is a lot, and I personally think that we could do without this [engagement], but if she really is an artist who can produce a strong effect, and if Monsieur [[Max Erdmannsdörfer|Max]] is very keen on inviting her, I suppose he can take this small liberty. In any case I promise not to reproach him on this account.

Herewith, allow me, dear Madame, to wish you and [[Max Erdmannsdörfer|Max]] every possible happiness, and to subscribe myself your very devoted servant.
{{right|P. Tchaikovsky}}
}}

==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">At the request of her husband [[Max Erdmannsdörfer]], [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner]] had written to Tchaikovsky from [[Nuremberg]] on 13 July 1886 {{NS}}. In this letter [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner|Pauline]] wrote that her husband, who was principal conductor of the RMS concerts in [[Moscow]] from 1884 to 1886, had invited the cellist [[Anatoly Brandukov]], a former student and close friend of Tchaikovsky, to perform as a soloist at a concert in [[Moscow]] on 3/15 January 1887 for a fee of 400 rubles. She also mentioned some other musicians who had been engaged for the forthcoming winter season — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib|1998/46|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216, where [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner|Pauline]]'s letter (held at the [[Klin]] archives) has also been published.</ref>
<ref name="note2">After graduating from the [[Moscow]] Conservatory in 1877 [[Brandukov]] had spent most of his time abroad, but had not managed to make an international breakthrough as a soloist. Tchaikovsky, who met him during his stay in [[Paris]] in May–June 1886, was keen to help him to obtain concert engagements in Russia, so that he could see his family and friends again. See also [[Letter 2997]] to [[Brandukov]], 8/20 July 1886 — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib|1998/46|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216.</ref>
<ref name="note3">Tchaikovsky was elected to the board of directors of the [[Moscow]] branch of the Russian Musical Society in February 1885, and this position allowed him to exercise some influence in decisions over which international musicians were to be invited to perform in Russia.</ref>
<ref name="note4">In fact, the name of the artiste in question was Wilma Norman-Neruda (1838–1919), a famous violinist. Born in Moravia, Wilma had given her first recital in [[Vienna]] at the age of seven, and went on to perform in all the major cities of Europe. In 1864 she married the Swedish musician Ludwig Norman (1831–1885), and although they divorced five years later she continued to use the name Norman-Neruda. In 1888 she married the conductor Sir Charles Hallé (1819–1895) — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib|1998/46|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216.</ref>
<ref name="note5">German: 'a session', that is, a meeting of the board of directors.</ref>
</references>

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	\|Translated text={{right\|''25 July 1886<br/>[[Klin]], [[Maydanovo]]}}		\|Translated text={{right\|''25 July 1886<br/>[[Klin]], [[Maydanovo]]}}
	{{centre\|Dear and kind Madame!}}		{{centre\|Dear and kind Madame!}}
	I throw myself at your feet and ask your forgiveness a million times. This morning, while rereading your letter, which I had received a long time ago, I came across a question to which I had completely forgotten to reply <ref name="note1"/>. When I received this letter I was so glad to find out that [[Brandukov]] had been engaged, that I forgot about the other artists mentioned in your letter <ref name="note2"/>. Be so good as to forgive me. This proves how little I am suited to fulfilling the duties of a Director, and that in business matters one should never turn to someone as ~~absentminded~~ as me <ref name="note3"/>. You ask me whether Monsieur [[Max Erdmannsdörfer\|Max]] can engage ''Madame Nazman-Neruda'' (I think this is her name, but I'm not sure because I have trouble reading your handwriting) for the sum of ''one thousand rubles'' <ref name="note4"/>. But dear Madame, I assure you that I do not know what to reply to this question. It would require ''eine Sitzung'' <ref name="note5"/>, but the only directors around at present are ''[[Jurgenson]]'' and ''myself''. Of course, ''a thousand'' rubles is a lot, and I personally think that we could do without this [engagement], but if she really is an artist who can produce a strong effect, and if Monsieur [[Max Erdmannsdörfer\|Max]] is very keen on inviting her, I suppose he can take this small liberty. In any case I promise not to reproach him on this account.		I throw myself at your feet and ask your forgiveness a million times. This morning, while rereading your letter, which I had received a long time ago, I came across a question to which I had completely forgotten to reply <ref name="note1"/>. When I received this letter, I was so glad to find out that [[Brandukov]] had been engaged that I forgot about the other artists mentioned in your letter <ref name="note2"/>. Be so good as to forgive me. This proves how little I am suited to fulfilling the duties of a Director, and that in business matters one should never turn to someone as absent-minded as me <ref name="note3"/>. You ask me whether Monsieur [[Max Erdmannsdörfer\|Max]] can engage ''Madame Nazman-Neruda'' (I think this is her name, but I'm not sure because I have trouble reading your handwriting) for the sum of ''one thousand rubles'' <ref name="note4"/>. But dear Madame, I assure you that I do not know what to reply to this question. It would require ''eine Sitzung'' <ref name="note5"/>, but the only directors around at present are ''[[Jurgenson]]'' and ''myself''. Of course, ''a thousand'' rubles is a lot, and I personally think that we could do without this [engagement], but if she really is an artist who can produce a strong effect, and if Monsieur [[Max Erdmannsdörfer\|Max]] is very keen on inviting her, I suppose he can take this small liberty. In any case, I promise not to reproach him on this account.

	Herewith, allow me, dear Madame, to wish you and [[Max Erdmannsdörfer\|Max]] every possible happiness, and to subscribe myself your very devoted servant.		Herewith, allow me, dear Madame, to wish you and [[Max Erdmannsdörfer\|Max]] every possible happiness, and to subscribe myself your very devoted servant.
Line 28:		Line 28:
	==Notes and References==		==Notes and References==
	<references>		<references>
	<ref name="note1">At the request of her husband [[Max Erdmannsdörfer]], [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner]] had written to Tchaikovsky from [[Nuremberg]] on 13 July 1886 {{NS}}. In this letter [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner\|Pauline]] wrote that her husband, who was principal conductor of the RMS concerts in [[Moscow]] from 1884 to 1886, had invited the cellist [[Anatoly Brandukov]], a former student and close friend of Tchaikovsky, to perform as a soloist at a concert in [[Moscow]] on 3/15 January 1887 for a fee of 400 rubles. She also mentioned some other musicians who had been engaged for the forthcoming winter season — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib\|1998/46\|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216, where [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner\|Pauline]]'s letter (held at the [[Klin]] archives) has also been published.</ref>		<ref name="note1">At the request of her husband [[Max Erdmannsdörfer]], [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner]] had written to Tchaikovsky from [[Nuremberg]] on 13 July 1886 {{NS}}. In this letter, [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner\|Pauline]] wrote that her husband, who was principal conductor of the RMS concerts in [[Moscow]] from 1884 to 1886, had invited the cellist [[Anatoly Brandukov]], a former student and close friend of Tchaikovsky, to perform as a soloist at a concert in [[Moscow]] on 3/15 January 1887 for a fee of 400 rubles. She also mentioned some other musicians who had been engaged for the forthcoming winter season — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib\|1998/46\|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216, where [[Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner\|Pauline]]'s letter (held at the [[Klin]] archives) has also been published.</ref>
	<ref name="note2">After graduating from the [[Moscow]] Conservatory in 1877 [[Brandukov]] had spent most of his time abroad, but had not managed to make an international breakthrough as a soloist. Tchaikovsky, who met him during his stay in [[Paris]] in May–June 1886, was keen to help him to obtain concert engagements in Russia, so that he could see his family and friends again. See also [[Letter 2997]] to [[Brandukov]], 8/20 July 1886 — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib\|1998/46\|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216.</ref>		<ref name="note2">After graduating from the [[Moscow]] Conservatory in 1877, [[Brandukov]] had spent most of his time abroad, but had not managed to make an international breakthrough as a soloist. Tchaikovsky, who met him during his stay in [[Paris]] in May–June 1886, was keen to help him to obtain concert engagements in Russia, so that he could see his family and friends again. See also [[Letter 2997]] to [[Brandukov]], 8/20 July 1886 — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib\|1998/46\|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216.</ref>
	<ref name="note3">Tchaikovsky was elected to the board of directors of the [[Moscow]] branch of the Russian Musical Society in February 1885, and this position allowed him to exercise some influence in decisions over which international musicians were to be invited to perform in Russia.</ref>		<ref name="note3">Tchaikovsky was elected to the board of directors of the [[Moscow]] branch of the Russian Musical Society in February 1885, and this position allowed him to exercise some influence in decisions over which international musicians were to be invited to perform in Russia.</ref>
	<ref name="note4">In fact, the name of the artiste in question was Wilma Norman-Neruda (1838–1919), a famous violinist. Born in Moravia, Wilma had given her first recital in [[Vienna]] at the age of seven, and went on to perform in all the major cities of Europe. In 1864 she married the Swedish musician Ludwig Norman (1831–1885), and although they divorced five years later she continued to use the name Norman-Neruda. In 1888 she married the conductor Sir Charles Hallé (1819–1895) — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib\|1998/46\|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216.</ref>		<ref name="note4">In fact, the name of the artiste in question was Wilma Norman-Neruda (1838–1919), a famous violinist. Born in Moravia, Wilma had given her first recital in [[Vienna]] at the age of seven, and went on to perform in all the major cities of Europe. In 1864 she married the Swedish musician Ludwig Norman (1831–1885), and although they divorced five years later she continued to use the name Norman-Neruda. In 1888 she married the conductor Sir Charles Hallé (1819–1895) — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in {{bib\|1998/46\|Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographe und andere Čajkovskij-Funde}} (1998), p. 205–216.</ref>
	<ref name="note5">German: 'a session', that is, a meeting of the board of directors.</ref>		<ref name="note5">German: 'a session', that is, a meeting of the board of directors.</ref>
	</references>		</references>