Letter 822a: Difference between revisions
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You consider the mediation of those who are nearest and dearest to me to be inappropriate and want me to deal with you directly. As you wish. I shall explain myself to you briefly and clearly. | You consider the mediation of those who are nearest and dearest to me to be inappropriate and want me to deal with you directly. As you wish. I shall explain myself to you briefly and clearly. | ||
First of all, I must now once and for all destroy the sad illusion which is blinding you. Though it is so inconceivably strange, I can nevertheless, to my considerable astonishment, see from your letter to [[Sasha]] <strike>and from what you said</strike> that you still have the hope that, as you put it, ''sooner or later we two must come together again''. <strike>Without going into detailed explanations, which have been attempted quite a few times, and, as I can see, to no avail whatsoever</strike> well then, take notice of this irrevocable truth: <strike>the fact is</strike>, I must tell you, that <strike>our living together is just as impossible as it is impossible for</strike> ''never, on no account, in no guise, not for | First of all, I must now once and for all destroy the sad illusion which is blinding you. Though it is so inconceivably strange, I can nevertheless, to my considerable astonishment, see from your letter to [[Sasha]] <strike>and from what you said</strike> that you still have the hope that, as you put it, ''sooner or later we two must come together again''. <strike>Without going into detailed explanations, which have been attempted quite a few times, and, as I can see, to no avail whatsoever</strike> well then, take notice of this irrevocable truth: <strike>the fact is</strike>, I must tell you, that <strike>our living together is just as impossible as it is impossible for</strike> ''never, on no account, in no guise, not for anything in the world'', will I agree to live together with you. I think enough has already been said <strike>about the fact that there is nothing injurious to you in this</strike> about the reasons for this irrevocable decision, and so I shall not elaborate on it now. I shall just repeat one last time: you are not to blame for anything, I do not deny that you are capable of making another person happy, I am to blame for everything, I have no reason to reproach you for anything, and yet all the same I shall ''never, never, never'' live together with you. | ||
Please, try to forget for a moment the indignation which you rightly harbour against me, and consider my offer below exclusively from the point of view of your interests. I offer you a divorce on the following terms: | Please, try to forget for a moment the indignation which you rightly harbour against me, and consider my offer below exclusively from the point of view of your interests. I offer you a divorce on the following terms: | ||
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4) Upon conclusion of the proceedings you will get ''ten thousand'' [roubles] from me | 4) Upon conclusion of the proceedings you will get ''ten thousand'' [roubles] from me | ||
5) Since you evidently do not trust me or my relatives (which, by the way, does not <strike>testify much to</strike> speak in <strike>your</strike> favour of your <strike>understanding of people</strike> ability to judge people according to their merits), I shall transfer the money after the proceedings are over to a third party, for example, to [[Nikolay Rubinstein|Rubinstein]], [[Jurgenson]] | 5) Since you evidently do not trust me or my relatives (which, by the way, does not <strike>testify much to</strike> speak in <strike>your</strike> favour of your <strike>understanding of people</strike> ability to judge people according to their merits), I shall transfer the money after the proceedings are over to a third party, for example, to [[Nikolay Rubinstein|Rubinstein]], [[Jurgenson]] or Treskin <ref name="note1"/>, in short, to someone whom we both trust <strike>very much</strike>. Those are my terms. <strike>I wish that you</strike> I doubt you could find a <strike>trustworthy</strike> sensible and intelligent person who, having been told about these terms and bearing in mind my unshakeable decision never to come back together with you, would not advise you to accept them. | ||
The pension of 100 rubles which I have granted you is very uncertain <ref name="note2"/>. Quite apart from the fact that my health has been shaken and that I may die, you and everyone else know that I have no ''means'' whatsoever, and that I can only pay you this sum when I am capable of earning it. There is no power in the world which could force me to pay you <strike>this money</strike> if I am put into such a situation that I have to <strike>quit my employment</strike> cease my work, and that is quite possible. I shall tell you this frankly. As long as our failed marriage has not been dissolved fully I cannot be calm and consequently healthy. <strike>As for my promise to pay you this money, I of course do not retract it and</strike> there was no need for you to remind [[Anatoly|my brother]] about the letter in which they guarantee that I will keep my promise. <strike>In the first place, they guarantee this</strike> In the first place, any promise can be fulfilled only in proportion to the existing possibilities, and my relatives are powerless to vouch for my health. Secondly, I never go back on my | The pension of 100 rubles which I have granted you is very uncertain <ref name="note2"/>. Quite apart from the fact that my health has been shaken and that I may die, you and everyone else know that I have no ''means'' whatsoever, and that I can only pay you this sum when I am capable of earning it. There is no power in the world which could force me to pay you <strike>this money</strike> if I am put into such a situation that I have to <strike>quit my employment</strike> cease my work, and that is quite possible. I shall tell you this frankly. As long as our failed marriage has not been dissolved fully, I cannot be calm and consequently healthy. <strike>As for my promise to pay you this money, I of course do not retract it and</strike> there was no need for you to remind [[Anatoly|my brother]] about the letter in which they guarantee that I will keep my promise. <strike>In the first place, they guarantee this</strike> In the first place, any promise can be fulfilled only in proportion to the existing possibilities, and my relatives are powerless to vouch for my health. Secondly, I never go back on my word — I <strike>am fulfilling</strike> shall honour it as long as I am able to — and, {{sic|secondly|thirdly}}, if it comes to letters, then I can also show anyone who needs to be shown that letter in which you offer me a formal divorce and, with the most delicate readiness, accept all my conditions in advance. | ||
<strike>I am coming to the end. Please, discard all non-</strike> Therefore kindly understand this well. I am offering you a deal which, as I see it, is convenient and advantageous for both of us. You can, of course, accept it or turn it | <strike>I am coming to the end. Please, discard all non-</strike> Therefore kindly understand this well. I am offering you a deal which, as I see it, is convenient and advantageous for both of us. You can, of course, accept it or turn it down — that is up to you. But this is what you should know beforehand. I need a formal and swift reply, and <strike>yes or no</strike> I shall expect you to provide it within two weeks. <strike>If your sil[ence] </strike> ... <strike>After this</strike>... For after this period has expired, the money which [[Leva]] is giving me will no longer be at his disposal <ref name="note3"/>. If you agree, then, without any more ado let us at once institute proceedings; if not, then I shall have to take <strike>measures for the</strike> other measures to secure my freedom of action. | ||
Kindly reply immediately | Kindly reply immediately | ||
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<ref name="note1">Vladimir Apollonovich Treskin (1831–1895), a [[Moscow]] notary.</ref> | <ref name="note1">Vladimir Apollonovich Treskin (1831–1895), a [[Moscow]] notary.</ref> | ||
<ref name="note2">While [[Antonina]] was staying at [[Kamenka]] with [[Aleksandra Davydova]] and her family in October–November 1877, Tchaikovsky wrote to his sister from [[Clarens]] ([[Letter 634]]) asking her to tell [[Antonina]] that he promised to pay her a monthly pension of 100 rubles.</ref> | <ref name="note2">While [[Antonina]] was staying at [[Kamenka]] with [[Aleksandra Davydova]] and her family in October–November 1877, Tchaikovsky wrote to his sister from [[Clarens]] ([[Letter 634]]) asking her to tell [[Antonina]] that he promised to pay her a monthly pension of 100 rubles.</ref> | ||
<ref name="note3">[[Nadezhda von Meck]] had offered to provide Tchaikovsky with the necessary sum to pay for the divorce proceedings, including 10,000 rubles as a lump payment for [[Antonina]]. However, in their dealings with her Tchaikovsky and [[Anatoly] ]had agreed to pretend that the money was being lent to Tchaikovsky by his brother-in-law [[Lev Davydov]]. See [[Letter 811]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 15/27 April 1878.</ref> | <ref name="note3">[[Nadezhda von Meck]] had offered to provide Tchaikovsky with the necessary sum to pay for the divorce proceedings, including 10,000 rubles as a lump payment for [[Antonina]]. However, in their dealings with her, Tchaikovsky and [[Anatoly]] had agreed to pretend that the money was being lent to Tchaikovsky by his brother-in-law [[Lev Davydov]]. See [[Letter 811]] to [[Nadezhda von Meck]], 15/27 April 1878.</ref> | ||
</references> | </references> | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Letter 0822a}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Letter 0822a}} |
Latest revision as of 13:31, 3 June 2024
Date | 1/13 May 1878 |
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Addressed to | Antonina Tchaikovskaya |
Where written | Kamenka |
Language | Russian |
Autograph Location | Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (a3, No. 1157) |
Publication | П. И. Чайковский. Письма к родным (1940), p. 713–714 (abridged) П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том VII (1962), p. 244–245 Existenzkrise und Tragikomödie. Čajkovskijs Ehe. Eine Dokumentation (2006), p. 242–243 (German translation) |
Notes | Draft. Enclosed with Letter 822 to Anatoly Tchaikovsky |
Text and Translation
This draft letter contains many abbreviations and crossings out, which are included in the text below.
Russian text (original) |
English translation By Luis Sundkvist |
Ант[онина] Ив[ановна]!
Ты считаешь посредничество самых близких и дорогих мне людей неуместным и хочешь, чтоб я сам отнёсся к тебе. Изволь. Объяснюсь тебе коротко и ясно. Прежде всего я должен теперь раз навсегда и вконец уничтожить печальную иллюзию, ослепляющую тебя. Как это ни непостижимо странно, но из твоего письма к Саше Пожалуйста, постарайся забыть на минуту своё справедливое негодование на меня и посмотри на нижеследующее моё предложение исключительно с точки зрения твоих интересов. Я тебе предлагаю развод на следующих условиях: 1) Ты возьмёшь на себя инициативу дела 2) Вину... 3) Всё расходы по делу я принимаю на себя 4) По окончании дела ты получишь от меня десять тысяч 5) Так как ты, по-видимому, не доверяешь ни мне, ни моим родным (что, мимоходом сказать, не 100-рублёвая пенсия, которую я тебе назначил, очень непрочна. Уж не говоря о том, что здоровье моё пошатнулось и что я могу умереть, ведь и тебе и всем известно, что средств у меня никаких нет и что я могу тебе уплачивать
Потрудись же отвечать немедленно. П. Чайковский |
You consider the mediation of those who are nearest and dearest to me to be inappropriate and want me to deal with you directly. As you wish. I shall explain myself to you briefly and clearly. First of all, I must now once and for all destroy the sad illusion which is blinding you. Though it is so inconceivably strange, I can nevertheless, to my considerable astonishment, see from your letter to Sasha Please, try to forget for a moment the indignation which you rightly harbour against me, and consider my offer below exclusively from the point of view of your interests. I offer you a divorce on the following terms: 1) You shall take upon yourself the initiative in the proceedings 2) The blame … 3) All the expenses entailed by the proceedings I take upon myself 4) Upon conclusion of the proceedings you will get ten thousand [roubles] from me 5) Since you evidently do not trust me or my relatives (which, by the way, does not The pension of 100 rubles which I have granted you is very uncertain [2]. Quite apart from the fact that my health has been shaken and that I may die, you and everyone else know that I have no means whatsoever, and that I can only pay you this sum when I am capable of earning it. There is no power in the world which could force me to pay you
Kindly reply immediately P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ Vladimir Apollonovich Treskin (1831–1895), a Moscow notary.
- ↑ While Antonina was staying at Kamenka with Aleksandra Davydova and her family in October–November 1877, Tchaikovsky wrote to his sister from Clarens (Letter 634) asking her to tell Antonina that he promised to pay her a monthly pension of 100 rubles.
- ↑ Nadezhda von Meck had offered to provide Tchaikovsky with the necessary sum to pay for the divorce proceedings, including 10,000 rubles as a lump payment for Antonina. However, in their dealings with her, Tchaikovsky and Anatoly had agreed to pretend that the money was being lent to Tchaikovsky by his brother-in-law Lev Davydov. See Letter 811 to Nadezhda von Meck, 15/27 April 1878.