Lovely spring weather. R. receives a charming letter from Sascha Ritter, who will entrust us with his son. – A lovely photograph of Fidi; the little children look so at home. R. says, “This difference between what one is and what one sees is almost impossible to reconcile. The children are something entirely their own, yet still not foreign.” – The large expenses of the household are truly alarming. –
A small gathering in the evening; Chopin’s “Barcarolle” Op. 60 [1], which R. does not like. He feels it does not live up to its title and criticizes how people nowadays seem incapable of restraint and must rage and storm in their music.
[1] “Barcarolle” Op. 60 by Frédéric Chopin, 1845/46.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.