Overture in C minor and Letter 153: Difference between pages

Tchaikovsky Research
(Difference between pages)
No edit summary
 
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
Tchaikovsky's student '''''Overture''''' in C minor (TH 38 ; ČW 36) was composed during the summer of 1865 at [[Kamenka]], and orchestrated in January 1866 in [[Moscow]].
{{letterhead
|Date=7/19 October 1869
|To=[[Anatoly Tchaikovsky]]
|Place=[[Moscow]]
|Language=Russian
|Autograph={{locunknown}}
|Publication={{bib|1900/35|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 1}} (1900), p. 334 (abridged)<br/>{{bib|1940/210|П. И. Чайковский. Письма к родным ; том 1}} (1940), p. 133–134<br/>{{bib|1955/37|П. И. Чайковский. Письма к близким}} (1955), p. 54–55 (abridged)<br/>{{bib|1959/50|П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений ; том V}} (1959), p. 176–177<br/>{{bib|1981/81|Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Letters to his family. An autobiography}} (1981), p. 53–54 (English translation; abridged)
|Notes=Manuscript copy in [[Klin]] (Russia): {{RUS-KLč}}
}}
==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.
{{Lettertext
|Language=Russian
|Translator=Brett Langston
|Original text={{right|7 октября 1869}}
От Адамова всё-таки нет ответа, и я ума не приложу, — что это может значить? Как только получу от него письмо, что бы в нем ни было, сейчас же перешлю его к тебе.


==Instrumentation==
Вот что, голубчик, ужасно мне досадно, что я в эту минуту нахожусь в страшном безденежье и ничего не могу тебе послать; постарайся, пожалуйста, как-нибудь обойтись ещё несколько времени, пока я найду возможным прислать тебе хотя небольшое вспоможение. Мысль, что ты нуждаешься, меня терзает.
The Overture is scored for an orchestra consisting of piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (in B-flat), 2 bassoons + 4 horns (in F, E), 2 trumpets (C, D), 3 trombones, tuba + timpani + violins I, violins II, violas, cellos, and double basses, with optional cymbals and bass drum.


==Duration==
Ровно неделю тому назад был здесь Папаша с Л[изаветой] М[ихайловной], и я целый день провёл с ними вместе. Обедали они у меня дома, были в Мал[ом] театре и ужинали в «Московском». На другой день я их провожал.
There is one movement: Andante—Allegro vivo (C minor, 662 bars), which lasts around 15 minutes in performance.


==Composition==
Консерватория уже начинает быть противной, и уроки по прошлогоднему уже начали утомлять меня. Ничего не пишу; впрочем, докончил 50 р[усских] песен и вчера получил из Петербурга заказ от Бесселя; он просит аранжировать «Иванна Грозного» Рубинштейна. От Балакирева получаю ругательные письма за то, что ничего не пишу. Про оперу верного всё-таки ничего не знаю; говорят, что она пойдёт, но когда — неизвестно.
No information survives concerning the process of composing the Overture. In a letter to his brothers [[Anatoly]] and [[Modest]] of 10/22 January 1866, Tchaikovsky reports on his work on the instrumentation: "I've already orchestrated the greater part of my summer overture, and, to my horror, it's turning out to be terribly long, which I didn't expect at all. I promised [[Nikolay Rubinstein|N. Rubinstein]] that I would submit it for performance here first, and after that I shall send it on to [[Petersburg]]" <ref name="note1"/>.


As [[Nikolay Kashkin]] recalled, soon after Tchaikovsky's move to [[Moscow]], [[Nikolay Rubinstein]] asked if any of his compositions could be performed in the 1866 concert season, and Tchaikovsky suggested this overture <ref name="note2"/>. However, [[Nikolay Rubinstein|Rubinstein]] considered that it could not possibly be performed <ref name="note3"/>.
Бываю иногда в опере. Певицы Маркизио очень хороши, особенно в «Семирамиде»; но, слушая этих превосходнейших певиц, я более чем когда-нибудь убедился в том, что Арто одна из величайших художниц в мире. Если ты и не попадёшь нынешней зимой в Москву, то приедешь ко мне, по крайней мере, гостить на рождество, и я рад, что мы вместе будем слушать Арто.


On 19/31 January 1866, Tchaikovsky sent the manuscript to [[Herman Laroche]] in [[Saint Petersburg]] so that the latter might submit it to [[Anton Rubinstein]] for performance <ref name="note4"/>. But [[Anton Rubinstein]]'s judgement on the Overture was also unfavourable <ref name="note5"/>. Subsequently the composer himself made the following note on the front of the full score: "''Overture'', written in [[Moscow]] in January 1866 and played nowhere (an awful abomination!)" <ref name="note9"/>.
Сегодня утром я был очень обрадован неожиданным появлением Константинова, он приехал на неделю; оттого не видел тебя в Киеве, что оставался там только два часа; на возвратном пути увидится с тобой. Кланяйся хорошенько Губерту и скажи, что поручение его исполнено. Жалею, что ему, бедному, плохо приходится. Ты спрашиваешь, нельзя ли его в Москву? — теперь об этом и думать нечего.


References to the Overture in C minor are also encountered in [[Sergey Taneyev]]'s letters to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]] from 1896 and 1897. For instance, on 23 July/4 August 1897, [[Taneyev]] reported that: "I have now found the manuscript of the overture that you wrote about, in C minor (with the episode from the overture to ''[[The Storm]]'')... and I can show it to you on your arrival" <ref name="note6"/>.
Целую тебя, мой милый голубчик, не скучай и пиши мне.


==Performances==
|Translated text={{right|7 October 1869}}
The Overture was only performed for the first time on 12 October 1931 in Voronezh, conducted by Konstantin Saradzhev, professor of the [[Moscow]] State Conservatory <ref name="note7"/>. Saradzhev also directed a performance in [[Kiev]] the following year, as well as the [[Moscow]] premiere at the Radiotheatre Centre on 30 July 1934.
There's still no answer from Adamov, and I can't work out why — what does this mean? As soon as I receive a letter from him, whatever it may contain, I'll forward it to you at once.


==Publication==
The thing is, golubchik, I'm terribly frustrated at the moment that I'm awfully short of money and can't send you anything; please, try to manage somehow for a little longer until I find it possible to send you at least a little assistance. I'm tormented by the thought that you're in need.
The Overture was not published during Tchaikovsky's lifetime. It was printed for the first time in 1952 in volume 21 of Tchaikovsky's ''[[Complete Collected Works]]'', edited by Pavel Lamm.


==Autographs==
Precisely one week ago [[Papasha]] was here with [[Lizaveta Mikhaylovna]], and I spent a whole day with them. They dined at my house, we went to the Maly Theatre and had supper at the "Moskovsky". I saw them off the next day.
Tchaikovsky's manuscript score is now preserved in the [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive (a{{sup|1}}, No. 50).  


==Recordings==
The Conservatory is already starting to become objectionable, and the lessons from last year have already become tedious to me. There's not much to write about; however, I finished the 50 Russian songs and yesterday received a commission from [[Bessel]] in [[Petersburg]]: he's asking me to arrange [[Anton Rubinstein|Rubinstein]]'s "[[Ivan the Terrible (Rubinstein)|Ivan the Terrible]]". I'm receiving abusive letters from [[Balakirev]] for not writing anything. I still haven't heard anything reliable about the opera; they say that it will be going on, but not when.
{{reclink}}


==Related Works==
I go to the opera occasionally. The Marchisio singers are very good, especially in "Semiramis"; but, in listening to these most excellent singers, I'm more and more convinced that ever that [[Artôt]] is one of the greatest artists in the world. Even if you don't make it to [[Moscow]] this winter, then at least come to visit me at Christmas, and I'll be happy that we can listen to [[Artôt]] together.  
The Overture's introduction (bars 1–90) is an extended version of the corresponding section from his earlier overture to ''[[The Storm]]'' (1864); this passage was later re-used in the ''Entr'acte'' to Act II of the opera ''[[The Voyevoda (opera)|The Voyevoda]]''.


The central theme of the Overture (bars 176–247) was re-used in Act I (No. 7) of ''[[The Voyevoda (opera)|The Voyevoda]]'' <ref name="note8"/>
This morning I was very pleasantly surprised when Konstantinov appeared unexpectedly; he's come for a week. That's why I didn't see you in [[Kiev]], because I only stayed there a couple of hours; I'll see you on the way back. Give my best regards to [[Hubert]] and say that his instructions have been carried out. I'm sorry that the poor fellow is having a bad time. You ask if he couldn't go to [[Moscow]]? This is unthinkable now.


==External Links==
I kiss you, my dear golubchik; don't be miserable and write to me.  
* {{imslpscore|Overture_in_C_minor_(Tchaikovsky,_Pyotr)|Overture in C minor}}
}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Letter 0153}}
==Notes and References==
<references>
<ref name="note1">[[Letter 78]] to [[Anatoly]] and [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 10/22 January 1866.</ref>
<ref name="note2">{{bib|1896/17|Воспоминания о П. И. Чайковском}} (1896), pp. 17–18.</ref>
<ref name="note3">{{bib|1900/35|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 1}} (1900), p. 225.</ref>
<ref name="note4">See letter from [[Herman Laroche]] to Tchaikovsky, 27 January/8 February 1866 — [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive (а<sup>4</sup>, No. 2166).</ref>
<ref name="note5">{{bib|1900/35|Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского ; том 1}} (1900), pp. 225–226.</ref>
<ref name="note6">Letter from [[Sergey Taneyev]] to [[Modest Tchaikovsky]], 23 July/4 August 1897 — [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive (б<sup>10</sup>, No. 5791).</ref>
<ref name="note7">See letter from Konstantin Saradzhev to Nikolay Zhegin, 29 December 1938 — [[Klin]] House-Museum Archive (дм<sup>8</sup>, No. 168).</ref>
<ref name="note8">The manuscript score of the Overture contains the composer's pencil sketches for the added vocal parts in this passage.</ref>
<ref name="note9">''Увертюра'', написанная в Москве в январе 1866 г. нигде не игранная (страшная мерзость!).</ref>
</references>
[[Category:Orchestral Music]]

Revision as of 21:52, 27 August 2023

Date 7/19 October 1869
Addressed to Anatoly Tchaikovsky
Where written Moscow
Language Russian
Autograph Location unknown
Publication Жизнь Петра Ильича Чайковского, том 1 (1900), p. 334 (abridged)
П. И. Чайковский. Письма к родным (1940), p. 133–134
П. И. Чайковский. Письма к близким. Избранное (1955), p. 54–55 (abridged)
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том V (1959), p. 176–177
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Letters to his family. An autobiography (1981), p. 53–54 (English translation; abridged)
Notes Manuscript copy in Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve

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
7 октября 1869

От Адамова всё-таки нет ответа, и я ума не приложу, — что это может значить? Как только получу от него письмо, что бы в нем ни было, сейчас же перешлю его к тебе.

Вот что, голубчик, ужасно мне досадно, что я в эту минуту нахожусь в страшном безденежье и ничего не могу тебе послать; постарайся, пожалуйста, как-нибудь обойтись ещё несколько времени, пока я найду возможным прислать тебе хотя небольшое вспоможение. Мысль, что ты нуждаешься, меня терзает.

Ровно неделю тому назад был здесь Папаша с Л[изаветой] М[ихайловной], и я целый день провёл с ними вместе. Обедали они у меня дома, были в Мал[ом] театре и ужинали в «Московском». На другой день я их провожал.

Консерватория уже начинает быть противной, и уроки по прошлогоднему уже начали утомлять меня. Ничего не пишу; впрочем, докончил 50 р[усских] песен и вчера получил из Петербурга заказ от Бесселя; он просит аранжировать «Иванна Грозного» Рубинштейна. От Балакирева получаю ругательные письма за то, что ничего не пишу. Про оперу верного всё-таки ничего не знаю; говорят, что она пойдёт, но когда — неизвестно.

Бываю иногда в опере. Певицы Маркизио очень хороши, особенно в «Семирамиде»; но, слушая этих превосходнейших певиц, я более чем когда-нибудь убедился в том, что Арто одна из величайших художниц в мире. Если ты и не попадёшь нынешней зимой в Москву, то приедешь ко мне, по крайней мере, гостить на рождество, и я рад, что мы вместе будем слушать Арто.

Сегодня утром я был очень обрадован неожиданным появлением Константинова, он приехал на неделю; оттого не видел тебя в Киеве, что оставался там только два часа; на возвратном пути увидится с тобой. Кланяйся хорошенько Губерту и скажи, что поручение его исполнено. Жалею, что ему, бедному, плохо приходится. Ты спрашиваешь, нельзя ли его в Москву? — теперь об этом и думать нечего.

Целую тебя, мой милый голубчик, не скучай и пиши мне.

7 October 1869

There's still no answer from Adamov, and I can't work out why — what does this mean? As soon as I receive a letter from him, whatever it may contain, I'll forward it to you at once.

The thing is, golubchik, I'm terribly frustrated at the moment that I'm awfully short of money and can't send you anything; please, try to manage somehow for a little longer until I find it possible to send you at least a little assistance. I'm tormented by the thought that you're in need.

Precisely one week ago Papasha was here with Lizaveta Mikhaylovna, and I spent a whole day with them. They dined at my house, we went to the Maly Theatre and had supper at the "Moskovsky". I saw them off the next day.

The Conservatory is already starting to become objectionable, and the lessons from last year have already become tedious to me. There's not much to write about; however, I finished the 50 Russian songs and yesterday received a commission from Bessel in Petersburg: he's asking me to arrange Rubinstein's "Ivan the Terrible". I'm receiving abusive letters from Balakirev for not writing anything. I still haven't heard anything reliable about the opera; they say that it will be going on, but not when.

I go to the opera occasionally. The Marchisio singers are very good, especially in "Semiramis"; but, in listening to these most excellent singers, I'm more and more convinced that ever that Artôt is one of the greatest artists in the world. Even if you don't make it to Moscow this winter, then at least come to visit me at Christmas, and I'll be happy that we can listen to Artôt together.

This morning I was very pleasantly surprised when Konstantinov appeared unexpectedly; he's come for a week. That's why I didn't see you in Kiev, because I only stayed there a couple of hours; I'll see you on the way back. Give my best regards to Hubert and say that his instructions have been carried out. I'm sorry that the poor fellow is having a bad time. You ask if he couldn't go to Moscow? This is unthinkable now.

I kiss you, my dear golubchik; don't be miserable and write to me.

Retrieved from ‘https://en.tchaikovsky-research.net/index.php?title=Overture_in_C_minor&oldid=62708’