076. Hans Jürgen Fröhlich a Primo Levi, 22 ottobre 1963

Hans Jürgen Fröhlich
Hamburg 22
Uhlenhorster Weg 17

Signor
Dottore Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Amburgo, 22/10/63

Caro, stimatissimo dottor Levi,

è passato più di un anno dall’ultima volta che ci siamo sentiti, dunque il motivo di questa lettera mi è ancora più gradito. Come già saprà, il Suo secondo libro uscirà per la Christian Wegner Verlag di Amburgo, la stessa casa editrice che ha pubblicato il mio primo romanzo.

Ora sono venuto a sapere che ci sono delle divergenze sulla scelta traduttore.[1] Spero che il progetto non si areni per questo motivo. Ho conosciuto personalmente il traduttore, il signor Picht, e credo che meriti tutta la nostra fiducia. È un giovane sui trent’anni, molto meticoloso e dotato, e ha una spiccata sensibilità linguistica. Il saggio di traduzione che ho avuto modo di leggere mi ha convinto. Le scriverà lui stesso e, naturalmente, sottoporrà il lavoro alla Sua approvazione.

Quanto a me, il 26 ottobre sarò di nuovo in viaggio nei dintorni di Lugano. Se possibile, coglierei l’occasione per fare una scappata a Torino.

Pensa che potremmo incontrarci?

Non so ancora la data precisa, ma La chiamerò. 

I primi giudizi che ho sentito sul Suo nuovo libro sono estremamente positivi. Spero solo che in futuro ce ne regali altri.

Con i miei più cari saluti

il Suo affezionato

Hans Jürgen Fröhlich
Hamburg 22
Uhlenhorster Weg 17

Mr.
Dottore Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Hamburg, October 22, 1963

Most esteemed, dear Mr. Levi,

We have not heard from each other in over a year, which makes my reason for writing this letter all the more gratifying. Perhaps you already know that Christian Wegner Verlag in Hamburg, which also published my first novel, plans to publish your second book.

Now, I have heard there have been some disagreements about the translator.[1] But I hope that will not thwart the project. I myself have met the translator, Mr. Picht, and I believe he deserves all our trust. He’s a young man of about thirty, very conscientious, highly gifted, and endowed with a fine ear and feeling for language. The translation sample I was able to read was most convincing. He will write to you himself and, of course, submit his translation for your approval.

For my part, on October 26 I shall be traveling in the vicinity of Lugano again. If at all possible, I would like to use the occasion to take a side-trip to Torino.

Could we see each other then?

I do not yet have an exact date. But I will give you a call.

The first reviews I’ve heard of your new book have been extremely positive. I can only hope you will gift us still more works. 

With my most heartfelt regards, 

sincerely yours,

Hans Jürgen Fröhlich
Hamburg 22
Uhlenhorster Weg 17

Herrn
Dottore Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Hamburg, den 22.10.63

Sehr verehrter, lieber Herr Doktor Levi,

über ein Jahr haben wir nichts voneinander gehört, umso erfreulicher wird mir der Anlaß zu diesem Brief. Denn vielleicht wissen Sie ja schon, daß im Christian Wegner Verlag, Hamburg, in dem auch mein erster Roman erschienen ist, Ihr zweites Buch erscheinen soll.

Nun hörte ich, es seien noch Unstimmigkeiten entstanden wegen des Übersetzers.[1] Aber ich hoffe, daß daran der Plan nicht scheitern wird. Ich habe den Übersetzer, Herrn Picht, selbst einmal kennengelernt, und ich glaube, er verdient unser aller Vertrauen. Er ist ein junger Mann von etwa dreißig Jahren, sehr gewissenhaft und hochbegabt, ausgestattet mit einem feinen Sprachgefühl. Die Übersetzungsprobe, die ich lesen konnte, hat mich sehr überzeugt. Er wird Ihnen noch selbst schreiben und Ihnen selbstverständlich auch seine Übersetzung zur Begutachtung vorlegen.

Ich selbst reise am 26. Oktober wieder in die Nähe Luganos. Wenn es mir irgend möglich ist, möchte ich bei dieser Gelegenheit auch einen Abstecher nach Torino machen.

Können wir uns dann wohl sehen?

Genauen Termin weiß ich noch nicht. Aber ich rufe Sie an. 

Die ersten Urteile, die ich über Ihr neues Buch hörte, waren äußerst positiv. Ich möchte nur wünschen, daß Sie uns weitere Arbeiten schenken. 

Mit den allerherzlichsten Grüßen 

Ihr sehr ergebener

Hans Jürgen Fröhlich
Hamburg 22
Uhlenhorster Weg 17

Mr.
Dottore Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Hamburg, October 22, 1963

Most esteemed, dear Mr. Levi,

We have not heard from each other in over a year, which makes my reason for writing this letter all the more gratifying. Perhaps you already know that Christian Wegner Verlag in Hamburg, which also published my first novel, plans to publish your second book.

Now, I have heard there have been some disagreements about the translator.[1] But I hope that will not thwart the project. I myself have met the translator, Mr. Picht, and I believe he deserves all our trust. He’s a young man of about thirty, very conscientious, highly gifted, and endowed with a fine ear and feeling for language. The translation sample I was able to read was most convincing. He will write to you himself and, of course, submit his translation for your approval.

For my part, on October 26 I shall be traveling in the vicinity of Lugano again. If at all possible, I would like to use the occasion to take a side-trip to Torino.

Could we see each other then?

I do not yet have an exact date. But I will give you a call.

The first reviews I’ve heard of your new book have been extremely positive. I can only hope you will gift us still more works. 

With my most heartfelt regards, 

sincerely yours,