Letter 4694

Tchaikovsky Research
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Date 20 May/1 June 1892
Addressed to Vladimir Nápravník
Where written Klin
Language Russian
Autograph Location unknown
Publication Е. Ф. Направник. Автобиографические, творческие материалы, документы, письма (1959), p. 199–200
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XVI-Б (1979), p. 98
Notes Typed copy in Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve

Text and Translation

Based on a typed copy in the Klin House-Museum Archive (lacking the signature), which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
20-го мая [18]92

Спасибо Вам, г. Кандидат, что Вы вспомнили одинокого старичка. Очень, очень радуюсь успешности экзаменов и горжусь, что Клин был отчасти причиной их успешности. Впрочем, вспоминаю о днях, проведенных у меня Вами с отвращением и омерзением. Вечно видеть несимпатичное, обрюзглое лицо, слышать из уст этого лица лишь оскорбления и издевательства, ужасаться его прожорливости и жадности, доходившей нередко до отвратительно-долгого и громкого блевания (конечно, это сваливалось на невинные печи и угар!!!???), терзаться от его бессмысленного колочения по клавишам несчастного рояля, замечать, как эта личность давала ежедневные любовные rendezvous престарелой Марье Демьяновне (супруге повара) и т. д. и т. д. — всё это было очень не весело, и слава Богу, что дни эти канули в пучину вечности.

Я поглощён был в последнее время корректурами и отчасти сочинением симфонии. Ездил в Москву по уго[вору] с Всеволожским [и Погоже]вым и провел [с ними целый] день очень приятно. Вот и все. Помещением своим ужасно доволен. У меня наверху удивительно симпатично, — но бедный Алексей с женой и ребенком страдают от холода и сырости.

Приеду 28-го. 20-го будем непременно ужинать у Лейнера!!! Конечно, с Саней и Бобом.

Целую ручки Мамаши.

Варе и Коте тысячу нежностей.

20 May 1892

Thank you, Mr Candidate, for remembering a lonely old man [1]. I'm very, very glad about your examination success, and proud that Klin was partly the reason for your success [2]. However, I remember the days you spent with me with loathing and disgust. Forever seeing that unappealing chubby face, hearing only insults and bullying from that person, being horrified by his gluttony and stinginess, which often culminated in disgustingly long and loud belching (which was, of course, blamed on the innocent oven and furnace!!!???), being tormented by his mindless hammering at the keys of the unfortunate piano, noticing how this person had a daily romantic rendezvous with old Mariya Demyanovna (the cook's wife), etc. etc.—all this was no fun at all, and thank God that these days have vanished into the abyss of eternity.

I've recently been absorbed by proofreading [3], and partly by composing a symphony [4]. I went to Moscow for discussions with Vsevolozhsky and Pogozhev, and spent a very pleasant day with them. And that's all. My accommodation is terribly good. I have the wonderfully pleasant top floor, but poor Aleksey and his wife and child are suffering from the cold and dampness.

I'm coming on the 28th. On the 20th we shall definitely dine at Leiner's!!![5] With Sanya and Bob naturally.

I kiss your mother's hands.

A thousand tender greetings to Varya and Kotya [6].

Notes and References

  1. Tchaikovsky was replying to Vladimir Nápravník's letter of 18/30 May 1892.
  2. Vladimir Nápravník had stayed with the composer at Maydanovo between 29 January/10 February and 26 February/9 March 1892. Both parties enjoyed the visit immensely, despite Tchaikovsky's humorous description in this letter.
  3. Proofs of the ballet The Nutcracker (in Sergey Taneyev's piano arrangement), and the full scores of the overture from the opera The Voyevoda and the Festival Overture on the Danish National Anthem.
  4. The Symphony in E-flat major, which Tchaikovsky would later abandon.
  5. A fashionable restaurant in Saint Petersburg.
  6. Vladimir Nápravník's sister Varvara ("Varya") and brother Konstantin ("Kotya").