Giuseppe Tartini - Lettere e documenti / Pisma in dokumenti / Letters and Documents - Volume / Knjiga / Volume II

323 LETTERS 69. Tartini to F. Algarotti Reflecting as I do sometimes on what happened concerning my compositions that were heard by His Majesty, but not played by my students; and considering, at the same time, the misfortune of not having yet managed to have a student of mine at this court, when I have famous ones in many courts of Europe (not including in the number Signor Graun, 45 who was a student of mine for too little time, and during my youth), I am tempted to beg you, my most benevolent patron, given your good standing, to suggest to His Majesty that he send here to my school some youth of talent to be schooled in the violin. The fact is that this temptation of mine is too reasonable, both with regard to this Monarch, marvellous and unique in music, as he is in everything, and with regard to my present strength and confidence to bring to perfection any youth, even of mediocre ability, who is willing to study. I can only see two obstacles to this desire of mine: persuading the Monarch, and choosing the youth. I certainly shall not commit to solving the former: please see if this is something possible. As for the latter, yes, as there is no haste, one can choose there with full leisure; and start with the individual destined for my school. It is absolutely true that in the meantime the years can pass, and I can grow old or die. But not even this is an objection as here in Padua there is a young amateur, a student of mine (he is called Michiele Straticò and is a very civil person) 46 who in my absence could be chosen as Instructor of the chosen youth. It is most certain that, well born as he is, he would not say no to such a Monarch; and it is most certain that in playing and composing he is famous, distinguished among all my students, as he possesses the whole soul of my school. To sum up, my reasonable pride wishes that, at any rate, I should have the advantage of having this Monarch hear my music performed well. But I beg you to proceed with the question with some care, as I flatter myself to think that you also would receive honour therefrom. I beg you for some reply both on this matter and about the canvas, while submitting to you my most obsequious regards, I remain more and more My Lord Count Patron and Lord’s most humble, devoted and obliged servant Giuseppe Tartini Padua, 7 July 1750 45 Christoph Henzel, “Graunn, Johann Gottlieb”, in Ng, vol. 10. 46 Zdravko Brazekovic, “Stratico, Michele”, in Ng, vol. 24.