Chapter 6, 18 June 1963

Title

Chapter 6, 18 June 1963

Subject

Igor Stravinsky

Creator

Nadia Boulanger

Date

18 June 1963

Source

Paul Sacher Stiftung

Type

Letter

Extracted Text

Boulanger to Stravinsky
36 rue Ballu
June 18, 1963
It’s Tuesday—your birthday, My Friend. We will be at the Champs-Elysées, Le Sacre, [Les]
Symphonie[s] [d’]instruments à vent, Boulez is conducting—and we’ll be thinking of 1913, of
the present, of all you have given to the world during these fifty years, of the doors you open at
every step.
The words you are reading are my best. I recall everything we read [together], and more
particularly, the audience granted by the Patriarco in Venice after the Canticum Sacrum. A
phrase returns: “Yes, Igor Stravinsky gave us a lesson that evening before the altar of San Marco.
Yes . . . yes a lesson.”
And this honor took on at that time a special significance. The Holy Father did not forget. He
chose you, He gave you his blessing, and this June 18, it is this thought that lives in me and
guides me toward you.
With all my heart, I send fond wishes,
Thank you
Nadia B
* * *
Boulanger à Stravinsky
36 rue Ballu
18 juin 1963
Mardi, votre anniversaire, Mon Ami. Nous serons aux Champs-Elysées, Le Sacre, L[es]
Symphonie[s] [d’]instruments à vent, Boulez au pupitre—nous, pensant à 1913, au
présent, à tout ce que vous avez donné au monde durant ces 50 ans, aux portes que vous
ouvrez à chaque pas.
Des mots vous en recevrez des meilleurs moi. J’évoque au tout ce qui nous lis [phrase
peu claire], et plus particulièrement, à l’audience accordée par le Patriarco à Venice,
après le Canticum Sacrum. Une phrase revenait « Oui, il nous a donné une leçon ce soir-
là, Igor Stravinsky, devant l’autel de San Marco. Oui…oui une leçon. »
Et ce respect a pris à cette heure une singulière signification. Il n’a pas oublié le Saint
Père. Il vous a choisi, Il vous a donné sa bénédiction, et à l’approche de ce 18 Juin, c’est
cette pensée qui m’habi[t]e et me guide vers vous.
Je vous embrasse de tout mon cœur,
Merci
Nadia B

Files

Citation

Nadia Boulanger, “Chapter 6, 18 June 1963,” Digital Exhibits, accessed April 25, 2024, https://digex.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/show/2574.

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