Chapter 3, 16 November 1945

Title

Chapter 3, 16 November 1945

Subject

Nadia Boulanger

Creator

Igor Stravinsky

Date

16 November 1945

Source

Bibliothque Nationale De Paris

Type

Letter

Extracted Text

Stravinsky to Boulanger
Beverly Hills California
1260 Wetherly Drive
Hollywood H6 (46?), Calif
Miss Nadia Boulanger
122 Bay State Road
Boston, Mass.
November 16, 1945
My very dear Nadia,
Moved by your words, moved by your departure. I wonder, however, if this departure is truly
permanent in view of the upheaval created by de Gaulle’s leaving.
Have you heard Prokofieff's [sic] Symphony no. 5 (what are the other four that we have never
heard)? Unfortunately, at the same time as the broadcast, I had my rehearsal for Babel,
conducted by Werner Janssen—less helpless than the Dumbarton Oaks Concerto last year. I
don't think that this indicates progress on his part, simply that the piece is less difficult to
conduct
They say that Koussevitzky is having Shostakovsky [sic] come from Russia in March and it’s
also been said that Koussevitzky is retiring and giving up the baton at the beginning of the next
season to Mitropoulos. Sounds so exciting, but is it true?
Why do you bring up money (photostats of my Symphony). I can give you a gift, too—it's true,
it's nothing big, all the more reason to—why talk about it. You owe me nothing save a few “love
and kisses” in your next letter. (Pencil please—to erase)
Your
I Str.
Who loves you, who loves you, who loves you.
[P.S.] Received very kind words from Abbot Fortier (for the birth of little Jean)—don’t even
have time to respond to him. Tell him how touched I was. Thanks.
Stravinsky à Boulanger
Beverly Hills, California
1260 Wetherly Drive
Hollywood H6 (46?), Calif
Miss Nadia Boulanger
122 Bay State Road
Boston, Mass.
16 Nov 1945
Nadia très chère,
Touché par votre mot, touché par votre départ. Je me demande cependant si ce départ est
vraiment définitif vu le chambardement crée par le depart [sic] de De Gaulle.
Avez-vous entende [sic] la Symphonie de Prokofieff No. 5 (quelles sont les autres 4 qu’on a [sic]
jamais entendu ?). Malheureusement au moment du broadcast j’ai eu ma repetition [sic] de Babel
conduite par Werner Janssen moins « helpless » que Dumbarton Oaks Concerto l’année dernière.
Pense pas que cela signifie un progrès de sa part, simplement la pièce est moin [sic] difficile de
conduire.
On dit que Koussevitzky fait venir Shostakovsky [sic] de Russie en mars et on dit que
Koussevitzky se retire et cède la baguette à partir de la saison prochaine à Mitropoulos. So
exciting tout ça, mais est-ce vrai?
Pourquoi me parlez-vous d’argent (photostates de ma Symphonie). Je peux aussi vous faire un
cadeau—c’est vrai, ce n’est pas grand-chose, raison de plus—pourquoi en parler. Vous ne me
devez rien sauf quelques « love and kisses » dans votre prochaine lettre. (crayon S.V.P. pour
effacer)
Votre
I Str.
Qui vous aime, qui vous aime, qui vous aime.
[P.-S.] Reçu un très gentil mot de l’Abbé Fortier (pour la naissance du petit Jean)—même pas de
temps à lui répondre. Dites-lui combien j’ai été touché. Merci.

Files

Citation

Igor Stravinsky, “Chapter 3, 16 November 1945,” Digital Exhibits, accessed December 8, 2024, https://digex.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/show/2369.

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