Chapter 5, 25 December 1951

Title

Chapter 5, 25 December 1951

Subject

Igor Stravinsky

Creator

Nadia Boulanger

Date

25 December 1951

Source

Paul Sacher Stiftung

Type

Letter

Extracted Text

Boulanger to Stravinsky
36 rue Ballu
Paris, IX
[December 25, 1951]
Will this arrive on the intended day so that my wishes might convey to you my constant
thoughts? What prayers wouldn’t I say so that you would conduct The Rake, Dear Igor, but I
don’t dare believe it yet!
Recently heard an incredibly striking rehearsal for Noces—amateur choir, disoriented at first,
soon took the score on, and ultimately were overtaken by a not impeccable enthusiasm, but
modestly did their best. Good soloists, a conductor who knew his role, [but a] foolish public. It’s
running for only one repeat performance.
Excuse this second letter—about the theme—I doubt you have accepted, but understand that
Gavoty insisted I countersign his letter.
Try to pull yourself away from the delights of Capone and come quickly—we need you here!
And everywhere. How I miss my couch and those days in Hollywood! But telling you how much
I miss you, I wonder if you know, and think sometimes of me? Lie [if you must], but just tell me
that you do.
Dear Vera, dear Igor, with hugs and kisses, I love you deeply.
Your
Nadia B.
[P.S.] MERRY CHRISTMAS
[P.P.S.] Finally have “my” orchestral score for The Rake’s—what joy!
Boulanger à Stravinsky
36 rue Ballu
Paris, IX
[le 25 décembre 1951]
Arriverai-je au jour dit pour que mes vœux vous disent ma constante pensée. Quelles prières ne
fais-je pas pour que le Rake’s soit conduit par vous, Cher Igor, mais je n’ose encore y croire !
Entendu dernièrement une audition de Noces très frappante—chœur d’amateurs, d’abord
désorienté, bientôt se procurant la partition, et finalement, pris d’un enthousiasme pas toujours
impeccable, mais modestement s’y efforçant. Bons solistes—chef connaissant bien son affaire,
public fou, coulant qu’un bisse.
Pardon pour la 2de
lettre—au sujet thème—je doute que vous acceptiez mais, je comprends bien
que Gavoty ait [sic] insisté pour que je contresigne sa lettre.
Tâchez de vous arracher aux délices de Capone, et d’arriver vite [sic]—on a besoin de vous ici !
Et partout. Que je regrette mon canapé—et ces jours à Hollywood ! Mais vous dire combien
vous me manquez—je me demande si vous le savez—et pensez parfois à moi ? Mentez—mais
dites-moi que oui.
Chère Vera, Cher Igor, je vous embrasse—et vous aime profondément.
Votre
Nadia B.
BON NOËL
[P.-S.] Ai enfin « ma » partition d’orchestre du Rake’s—quelle joie !

Files

Citation

Nadia Boulanger, “Chapter 5, 25 December 1951,” Digital Exhibits, accessed March 28, 2024, https://digex.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/show/2677.

Item Relations

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