Letter 4899

Tchaikovsky Research
Date 21 March/2 April 1893
Addressed to Modest Tchaikovsky
Where written Klin
Language Russian
Autograph Location Klin (Russia): Tchaikovsky State Memorial Musical Museum-Reserve (a3, No. 2020)
Publication П. И. Чайковский. Полное собрание сочинений, том XVII (1981), p. 68

Text and Translation

Russian text
(original)
English translation
By Brett Langston
21 марта

Спасибо за письмо. Ужасно рад, что Назар остался. Я очень обижен, что вы не могли дождаться меня для группы. Неужели я не принадлежу всей душой вашей компании? Вероятно, ты у Сергия, так что я напрасно пишу. До свидания в пятницу.

Твой П. Чайковский

21 March

Thank you for the letter. I am very glad that Nazar has stayed [1]. I am very upset that you and the group could not wait for me [2]. Don't I belong among you with all my heart? You are probably at Sergius [3], meaning that I've written in vain. Farewell until Friday.

Yours P. Tchaikovsky

Notes and References

  1. Modest Tchaikovsky had changed his mind about dismissing his servant, [[Nazar Litrov]], as a result of the latter's drinking habits and disorderly behaviour.
  2. While the composer visited Saint Petersburg, a group photograph with many of his friends and relatives (including Modest) was taken in his absence.
  3. Modest often worked in isolation at the Saint Sergius Trinity Monastery (Lavra) at Sergiyev Posad, north east of Moscow.