New Tchaikovsky letter auctioned in London
A newly-discovered letter by Tchaikovsky was auctioned by Christie's of London
on 3 July for the sum of £19,200 (approximately US $38,500 or €28,400). Completely
unknown to scholars prior to the sale, the autograph was found amongst the papers
of the Swiss collector Albin Schram, as part of a larger collection of 570 items
by composers, writers and other famous figures from history, including Napoleon,
the Brontë sisters and J. R. R. Tolkein.
Tchaikovsky's letter dates from the beginning of 1877 (or December 1876 according
to the Russian calendar), in which he introduces himself to the French conductor Edouard Colonne. While the composer's first attempts to arrange a concert of
his own works in Paris were unsuccessful, Colonne would become a frequent correspondent
and champion of Tchaikovsky's music.
The autograph consists of four pages, written in French. The complete text
is shown below, together with an English translation.
Incidentally, the overture which "although it caused some catcalls, did not
pass unnoticed", was to become one of Tchaikovsky's most famous pieces—the
overture-fantasia Romeo and Juliet.
Brett Langston
Moscou le 25 Dec. 1876 6 janvier 1877
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Moscow 25 Dec. 1876 6 January 1877
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Monsieur !
Je ne sais pas si mon nom a le privilège d'être connu de Vous.
Je suis un compositeur russe, fixé à Moscou, jouissant d'une certaine
réputation dans mon pays, mais jusqu'à présent presque complètement inconnu
à l'étranger.
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Monsieur!
I do not know if my name has the privilege of being known to you.
I am a Russian composer, resident in Moscow, enjoying a certain reputation
in my country, but until now almost completely unknown abroad.
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M. Pasdeloups a fait entendre cet hiver une de mes ouvertures dans
un de ses concerts populaires. Il paraît que cette oeuvre, quoique ayant
provoquer quelques sfflets,—n'a pas cependant passé inaperçue. On m'écrit
que beaucoup de musiciens on trouvé ma musique assez intéressante. Mais
mon plus vif désir, mon voue le plus ardent,—ce serait de me faire connaître
(si ce n'est par le gros du public, du moins par ses parties les plus
éclairées,) d'une manière plus complète. M de St. Saëns, m'a dit l'an-née
passée, qu'il n'est pas impossible que si je m'adressais à V[ou]s, et
V[ou]s priais de me prêter le concours de Votre excellent orchestre ainsi
que de son chef éminent,—V[ou]s auriez peut-être l'extrême bonté de
consentir à interpréter mes compositions dans un concert que je donnerais
à Paris.
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This winter M. Pasdeloups played one of my overtures at one of his
popular concerts. It seems that this work, although it caused some catcalls,
did not pass unnoticed. Many musicians have written to me to say that
they find my music rather interesting. But my keenest desire, my most
ardent wish,—is to become known more completely (if not by the majority
of the public, then at least by an enlightened few), M. de St. Saëns told
me last year that it might be possible, were I to contact you and to request
for the assistance of your excellent orchestra as well as its eminent
leader,—that you would perhaps have the extreme kindness to consent
to interpret my compositions during a concert I might give in Paris.
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Voici donc, Monsieur, en quoi consiste ma demande. Je voudrais au mois
de Mars de cette année louer une des salles de concerts de Paris et y
tourner un concert composé de mes oeuvres exclusivement. Comme le but
de ce concert n'est nullement celui de gagner de l'argent et comme je
n'ai pas le présomption de m'imaginer que le public payant y viendrait,—j'apporterais avec moi à Paris la somme nécessaire pour payer l'orchestre,
les frais de la salle et de l'éclairage et je distribuerais des cartes
d'entrées gratis à tout ce qui s'intéresse à la musique à Paris.
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And so, Monsieur, this is the substance of my request. I should like
in March of this year to hire one of the concert halls of Paris and put
on a concert made up exclusively of my works. As the aim of this concert
is by no means financial gain, and as I would not presume to imagine that
the public would pay to attend,—I would bring with me to Paris the sum
necessary to pay the orchestra, the expenses of the concert hall and lighting
and I would distribute free tickets to all those who are interested by
the music in Paris.
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Je V[ou]s supplie donc, Monsieur Colonne, de me faire l'honneur de
me dire: 1) si je puis espérer que V[ou]s et Votre orchestre seraient
disponibles pour ce concert projeté; 2) combien coûterait cet orchestre
(trois répétitions et le concert); 3) combien coûterait la salle, les
annonces, et les autre frais; 4) á qui pourrai-je m'adresser pour arranger
tout cela.
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And so I beg you, Monsieur Colonne, to do me the honour of informing
me: 1) If I might hope that you and your orchestra would be available
for this projected concert; 2) What would be the charge for the orchestra
(for three rehearsals and the concert); 3) What would be the charge for
the concert hall, the notices, and the other expenses; 4) Whom I might
contact to organise the arrangements?
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J'espère, Monsieur, que V[ou]s ne m'en voudrez pas de la liberté que
je prends de m'adresser directement à V[ou]s, et tout en espérant que
V[ou]s m'honorerez d'une réponse. Je vous prie, Monsieur, de recevoir
l'assurance de la considération et de l'estime parfaite de Votre serviteur
dévoué.
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I hope, Sir, you will not think badly of me for taking the liberty
of addressing you directly, and hoping that you will honour me with a
response. I ask you, Monsieur, to accept the sincere and utmost regards
of your devoted servant.
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P. Tchaïkovsky
Adresse. Moscou . Conservatoire Impérial de musique.
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P. Tchaïkovsky
Address. Moscow. Imperial Conservatory of music.
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