Letter 2607

Tchaikovsky Research
Date 26 November/8 December 1884
Addressed to Sergey Taneyev
Where written Paris
Language Russian
Autograph Location unknown
Publication Письма П. И. Чайковского и С. И. Танеева (1874-1893) [1916], p. 124
П. И. Чайковский. С. И. Танеев. Письма (1951), p. 119
П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XII (1970), p. 500–501
Notes Typed copy in Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve

Text and Translation

Based on a typed copy in the Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve at Klin, which may contain differences in formatting and content from Tchaikovsky's original letter.

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Luis Sundkvist
Париж
26 ноя[бря]/8 дек[абря] 1884 г[ода]

Милый Сергей Иванович! Вероятно, 4-го или 5-го числа я приеду в Петербург. Напишите мне, пожалуйста, туда, в какие дни будут происходить репетиции концерта и когда Вы желаете, чтобы я приехал, — к самой первой репетиции или ко второй? Так как у меня в Петербурге дело есть, то мне важно знать, сколько дней я могу там остаться? Я страх боюсь, что Ваша симфония уже игралась. Об этом тоже напишите мне.

Адресуйте: Фонтанка, № 15-й.

До свиданья!

Ваш П. Чайковский

Paris
26 November/8 December 1884

Dear Sergey Ivanovich! I shall probably arrive in Petersburg on the 4th or 5th. Please write to me there and tell me on which dates the rehearsals for the concert are going to take place, and also when you would like me to come: in time for the very first rehearsal or for the second?[1] Since I have some business to attend to in Petersburg, it is important for me to know how many days I can stay there. I'm terribly afraid worried that your symphony may already have been performed [2]. Write to me about this too.

Address: Fontanka, No. 15.

Until we meet!

Yours, P. Tchaikovsky

Notes and References

  1. The Russian Musical Society concert in Moscow at which Taneyev was due to premiere Tchaikovsky's Concert Fantasia was originally scheduled for 15/27 December 1884, but due to the indisposition of the conductor, Max Erdmannsdörfer, the performance was re-scheduled for a concert the following year, on 22 February/6 March 1885.
  2. In fact, Taneyev's Symphony No. 3 in D minor would not be performed until the following year: at a Russian Musical Society concert in Moscow on 26 January/7 February 1885, conducted by Taneyev himself.