Tchaikovsky, Pyotr

the four opening bars of the vocal theme, notated in black ink on a single hand-drawn stave, marked ("And[an]^te")

1 page, oblong 8vo (c.9.5 x 15cm), grey paper, London, 10 June 1893

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An attractive quotation in good condition.  Tchaikovsky wrote this quotation on his third and final visit to England, occasioned by the award of a doctorate from Cambridge University. He appeared at two concerts with the London Philharmonic Society, conducting his Fourth Symphony, then unknown, on 1 June. He was due to conduct the première of Francesca di Rimini at his doctoral ceremony and rehearsed the work at the Royal College of Music before going up to Cambridge on 12 June.  Meeting the other graduands in London, he liked Saint-Saëns and Arrigo Boito, but found Max Bruch to be "loathsome and haughty".   Tchaikovsky's song is the first of his Six Romances and dates from December 1872.  The words are "Spi, ditya moye, spi, usni!".  Rachmaninov made a well-known piano transcription of this song, published in 1941, which he recorded for the gramophone.  Tchaikovsky had already made two transcriptions of his own, one in the original key (which was published at the same time as the song in 1873), and in one in the simpler key of A minor--all of course without the words, as here.