Letter 3180
| Date | 12/24 February 1887 |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Anna Merkling |
| Where written | Maydanovo |
| Language | Russian |
| Autograph Location | unknown |
| Publication | П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма (1951), p. 229 П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XIV (1974), p. 47 |
| Notes | Manuscript copy in Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (signature omitted) |
Text and Translation
Based on a handwritten copy in the Klin House-Museum Archive, which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.
| Russian text (original) |
English translation By Brett Langston |
12 февраля 1887 г[ода] Аня, голубушка! Не сердись на меня. Ей-Богу, мне теперь невозможно писать письма. Боже, до чего я работаю, и до чего я устал! Скоро увидимся. 5-го марта состоится в Петербурге большой концерт из моих сочинений, коим я сам дирижирую. Приеду я 23-го февраля и останусь 2 недели. Ужасно буду рад тебя повидать. Привезу карточки; они у меня, да не стоит посылать. Ничего не пишу; не стоит — скоро увидимся. Я немножко сердит на тебя за то, что ты не приехала на «Черевички» и церемонилась принять от меня средства на путешествие. Целую ручки. |
12 February 1887 Anya, golubushka! Don't be angry with me. My God, it's currently impossible for me to write letters. God, there's so much work [1], and I'm so tired! I'll see you soon. On 5th March a grand concert of my works will be taking place in Petersburg, which I'm conducting myself. I'm coming on 23rd February and staying for 2 weeks. I'll be terribly glad to see you. I'll be bringing cards [2]; they are mine, but I don't give them out. There's nothing worth writing about — I'll see you soon. I'm a little angry with you for not coming to "Cherevichki" after you made a big show about accepting money from me for the trip [3]. I kiss your hands. |
Notes and References
- ↑ Tchaikovsky was rushing to complete the piano reduction of his new opera The Enchantress, which was required urgently by the Imperial Theatres in Saint Petersburg.
- ↑ Tchaikovsky is referring here to small photograph cards showing his portrait.
- ↑ The composer had conducted the premiere of his opera Cherevichki at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow on 19/31 January 1887, as well as two subsequent performances.
