Letter 4706a
| Date | 12/24 June 1892 [1] |
|---|---|
| Addressed to | Theodore Thomas |
| Where written | Vichy |
| Language | German |
| Autograph Location | unknown [2]. |
| Publication | Not previously published |
Text and Translation
| German text (original) |
English translation By Brett Langston |
24 Juni 1892 Hoch geehrter Herr Thomas!
Als Chorwerk kann ich besonders meine Cantate „Moskau“ empfehlen. Leider ist es, glaube ich, bis jetzt nicht übersetzt werden, — das ist aber leicht zu machen und mein Freund Jurgenson kann die Übersetzung bringen. Ich kann auch für die Gelegenheit ein neues Werk schreiben, aber was? Ein symphonischer Satz wäre leicht zu machen, da ich keinen passenden Text zu einer Cantate habe. Bin aber bereit, wie wortes gesagt, wenn Sie es wünschen — ein neues Vocal-Werk componieren. Danke Ihnen herzlich für die Aufführung meiner 5ten Symphonie. Ihr ergebenster, P. Tschaïkovsky |
24 June 1892 Most respected Herr Thomas!
As a choral work, I can particularly recommend my Cantata "Moscow". Unfortunately I do not believe it has been translated yet, but this is straightforward and my friend Jurgenson can supply you with a translation. I could also write a new work for the occasion, but what would this be? A symphonic movement would be straightforward, since I do not have any suitable text for a Cantata. But I say again, I am prepared, if you wish it, to compose a new vocal work. I thank you cordially for the performance of my 5th Symphony [3]. Your most devoted, P. Tchaikovsky |
Notes and References
- ↑ This letter, written on notepaper from the Etablissement Thermal de Vichy, is dated simply "24 June 1892", with no indication as to whether this was an Old Style or New Style date. Tchaikovsky visited Vichy from 12/24 June to 3/15 July that year, but he only stayed at what he called the Hôtel des Thermes for a few days before moving to the Hôtel Grande Bretagne (see Letter 4710 to Modest Tchaikovsky, 19 June/1 July 1892). Furthermore, Tchaikovsky mentioned the present letter when writing to Jurgenson on 22 June/4 July 1892 in Letter 4714: "'Thomas wrote to me, and I replied to him — but only his musical questions. He asked if I had a vocal work (not an opera), and I indicated the cantata "Moscow". If the deal comes off then you'll need to arrange for a translation". On this basis, 24 June must be presumed to be the "New Style" date, meaning that the present letter must have been written on the day of his arrival in Vichy on 12/24 June 1892.
- ↑ The autograph was auctioned on 13 December 2022 by Bonhams in New York [1]
- ↑ Theodore Thomas had given the American premiere of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 at the Chickering Hall in New York on 21 February/5 March 1889.
