Letter 3014a
| Date | 25 July/6 August 1886 |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner |
| Where written | Maydanovo |
| Language | French |
| Autograph Location | Tübingen (Germany): Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Universitätsbibliothek |
| Publication | П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XVII (1981), p. 239 Čajkovskijs Homosexualität und sein Tod. Legenden und Wirklichkeit (1998), p. 214–216. |
Text and Translation
| French text (original) |
English translation By Luis Sundkvist |
25 Juillet 1886 Kline, Maidanowo Chère et bonne Madame!
Je me mets à Vos genoux et V[ou]s demande un million de pardons. Ce matin, en relisant Votre lettre, que déja depuis longtemps j'avais reçue, j'y trouve une question à la quelle j'ai complètement oublie de répondre. En recevant cette lettre, j'ai été si content d'apprendre que Brandoukoff etaitétait engagé, — que j'avais oublié les autres artistes dont il'est question dans Votre lettre. De grâce, excusez[-]moi. Cela prouve combien je suis peu propre à exercer les devoirs d'un Directeur et, que quand il s'agit d'affaires il ne faut jamais s'adresser à un homme aussi distrait que moi. V[ou]s me demandez si M[onsieu]r Max peut engager M[ada]me Nazman-Neruda (je crois que c'est ce nom là, mais je n'en suis pas sûr car je lis difficilement Votre ecriture) à raison de mille rubles. Mais, chère Madame, je Vous assure que je ne sais que répondre à cette question. Je crains de prendre sur moi de résoudre cette question; il faudrait eine Sitzung, mais en fait de Directeurs il n'y a en ce moment que Jurgenson et moi. Certainement mille rubles c'est beaucoup et personellement je trouve qu'on pourrait s'en passer, — mais si vraiment c'est une artiste capable de produire un grand effet, et si M[onsieu]r Max a grand envie de l'inviter, il peut, ce me semble, se permettre cette petite liberté. Dans tous les cas je promets de ne pas lui en faire des reproches. Sur ce, permettez[-]moi, chère Madame de Vous souhaiter à Vous et à M[onsieu]r Max toutes les prosperités possibles, et de me dire Votre très devoué serviteur. P. Tschaïkovsky |
Dear and kind Madame!
I throw myself at your feet and ask your forgiveness a million times. This morning, while rereading your letter, which I had received a long time ago, I came across a question to which I had completely forgotten to reply [1]. When I received this letter I was so glad to find out that Brandukov had been engaged, that I forgot about the other artists mentioned in your letter [2]. Be so good as to forgive me. This proves how little I am suited to fulfilling the duties of a Director, and that in business matters one should never turn to someone as absentminded as me [3]. You ask me whether Monsieur Max can engage Madame Nazman-Neruda (I think this is her name, but I'm not sure because I have trouble reading your handwriting) for the sum of one thousand rubles [4]. But dear Madame, I assure you that I do not know what to reply to this question. It would require eine Sitzung [5], but the only directors around at present are Jurgenson and myself. Of course, a thousand rubles is a lot, and I personally think that we could do without this [engagement], but if she really is an artist who can produce a strong effect, and if Monsieur Max is very keen on inviting her, I suppose he can take this small liberty. In any case I promise not to reproach him on this account. Herewith, allow me, dear Madame, to wish you and Max every possible happiness, and to subscribe myself your very devoted servant. P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ At the request of her husband Max Erdmannsdörfer, Pauline Erdmannsdörfer-Fichtner had written to Tchaikovsky from Nuremberg on 13 July 1886 [N.S.]. In this letter Pauline wrote that her husband, who was principal conductor of the RMS concerts in Moscow from 1884 to 1886, had invited the cellist Anatoly Brandukov, a former student and close friend of Tchaikovsky, to perform as a soloist at a concert in Moscow on 3/15 January 1887 for a fee of 400 rubles. She also mentioned some other musicians who had been engaged for the forthcoming winter season — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in Paris vaut bien une messe! Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographie und andere Čajkovskij-Funde (1998), p. 205–216, where Pauline's letter (held at the Klin archives) has also been published.
- ↑ After graduating from the Moscow Conservatory in 1877 Brandukov had spent most of his time abroad, but had not managed to make an international breakthrough as a soloist. Tchaikovsky, who met him during his stay in Paris in May–June 1886, was keen to help him to obtain concert engagements in Russia, so that he could see his family and friends again. See also Letter 2997 to Brandukov, 8/20 July 1886 — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in Paris vaut bien une messe! Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographie und andere Čajkovskij-Funde (1998), p. 205–216.
- ↑ Tchaikovsky was elected to the board of directors of the Moscow branch of the Russian Musical Society in February 1885, and this position allowed him to exercise some influence in decisions over which international musicians were to be invited to perform in Russia.
- ↑ In fact, the name of the artiste in question was Wilma Norman-Neruda (1838–1919), a famous violinist. Born in Moravia, Wilma had given her first recital in Vienna at the age of seven, and went on to perform in all the major cities of Europe. In 1864 she married the Swedish musician Ludwig Norman (1831–1885), and although they divorced five years later she continued to use the name Norman-Neruda. In 1888 she married the conductor Sir Charles Hallé (1819–1895) — note based on information provided by Thomas Kohlhase in Paris vaut bien une messe! Bisher unbekannte Briefe, Notenautographie und andere Čajkovskij-Funde (1998), p. 205–216.
- ↑ German: 'a session', that is, a meeting of the board of directors.
