Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, June 4, 1952

…Evening to Albright Graduation. – Afterwards everyone to Art School to see work of students, But B & I listen to music from Toronto, for a half-hour and then to Elliotts – arriving just as Virginia & the Visser’t Hoofts –
High balls & talk – all the faculty & wives there – and some others – including Igor Stravinsky’s son & his wife – So anxious was I to make some sort of contact with Stravinsky — I wanted really to tell him how much Petrouchka meant to me when I was in Art School — that I went up to him, and made the incredibly banal remark:
“I’ve always been crazy about your father’s music.”
Shrugging his shoulders and looking bored he replied:
“Who isn’t?”
I persisted nevertheless and told him I had seen the ballet Petrouchka when an art student – and he instantly came to life – “Did you see Nijinsky?” he asked eagerly, and when I said I had, he said “Ah how fortunate you are – I never saw him” and there was infinite regret in his voice.
Charles E. Burchfield, June 4, 1952