Chapter 1, 7 May 1931

Title

Chapter 1, 7 May 1931

Subject

Nadia Boulanger

Creator

Catherine Stravinsky

Date

7 May 1931

Source

Bibliothèque nationale de France

Type

Letter

Extracted Text

Catherine Stravinsky to Boulanger
Nice
May 7, 1931
Dear Friend,
Thank you so much for your very sincere letter reassuring us.
We are very grateful to you for having honestly shared your feelings and your point of view with
us. Unfortunately, it differs significantly from our own, but as you have given us your promise
that, in appearance, you will support us, we are firmly counting on you. Besides, the attitude to
take right now concerning young people is to interfere in no way in their relationships. The
young woman will return to America soon; one need neither try to make her return, nor oppose
it, but as for the future, leave it all up to the will of God, because it is not up to us to unite or
separate them. It is only important that Nini does not extend any formal promises, that is all.
I hope that everything is now clear between us.
I have not yet thanked you for having thought of us (Nini’s performance). Your telegram was a
great joy for us all.
Sviétik wrote to me that he will defer his exams until next year. So much the better! We approve
of it entirely. It was an effort well beyond his abilities as he now understands.
I will finish this letter by thanking you very sincerely for all the interest you have shown our son
and for your kind friendship toward us.
Believe that I am, dear Friend, your cordially devoted,
C. Stravinsky
Catherine Stravinsky à Boulanger
Nice
le 7 mai 1931
Chère Amie,
Merci beaucoup de votre lettre si sincère qui nous rassure.
Nous vous sommes très reconnaissants de nous avoir exposé en toute franchise vos sentiments et
votre point de vue ; il diffère malheureusement sensiblement de nôtre [sic] mais comme vous
nous donnez la promesse de nous soutenir quoiqu’en apparence nous comptons fermement sur
vous. Du reste l’attitude à prendre maintenant vis-à-vis des jeunes gens est de n’intervenir
d’aucune façon dans leurs rapports. La jeune fille retournera bientôt en Amérique; il ne faut ni
tâcher de la faire revenir, ni s’y opposer, mais laisser tout à la volonté de Dieu quant à l’avenir,
car ce n’est pas à nous de les unir ou de les séparer. Il importe seulement que Nini ne se lie pas
de promesse formelle, voilà tout.
J’espère que tout est clair entre nous maintenant.
Je ne vous ai pas encore remerciée d’avoir pensé à nous (l’audition de Nini). Votre télégramme
nous a fait à tous grand plaisir.
Sviétik m’écrit qu’il remet ses examens à l’année prochaine. Tant mieux ? Nous l’approuvons
entièrement. C’était un effort vraiment audissus [sic] de ses forces comme il l’a compris
maintenant.
Je finis ma lettre et vous remercie bien sincèrement de tout l’interêt [sic] que vous portez à notre
fils et de votre bonne amitié envers nous.
Croyez-moi, chère Amie, votre très cordialement dévouée,
C. Stravinsky

Files

Citation

Catherine Stravinsky, “Chapter 1, 7 May 1931,” Digital Exhibits, accessed March 28, 2024, https://digex.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/show/2633.

Item Relations

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