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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/3689.txt b/3689.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0600e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/3689.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16700 @@ +Project Gutenberg Etext of Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 1, +"From Paris to Rome: Years of Travel as a Virtuoso," collected +by La Mara and Translated by Constance Bache + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.06/12/01*END* +[Portions of this header are copyright (C) 2001 by Michael S. Hart +and may be reprinted only when these Etexts are free of all fees.] +[Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be used in any sales +of Project Gutenberg Etexts or other materials be they hardware or +software or any other related product without express permission.] + + + + + +This etext was produced by John Mamoun <mamounjo@umdnj.edu> +with the Online Distributed Proofreading Team of Charles Franks. + + + + + +Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 1, "From Paris to Rome: Years of +Travel as a Virtuoso" + +by Franz Liszt; letters collected by La Mara and translated by +Constance Bache + + + + +CONTENTS + + + +BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH +DEDICATION +PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION, BY CONSTANCE BACHE +TABLE OF LETTER CONTENTS +THE LETTERS OF FRANZ LISZT, VOL. 1 +INFO ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION + + + +BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH + + + +The Austrian composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was a pianistic +miracle. He could play anything on site and composed over 400 +works centered around "his" instrument. Among his key works are +his Hungarian Rhapsodies, his Transcendental Etudes, his Concert +Etudes, his Etudes based on variations of Paganinini's Violin +Caprices and his Sonata, one of the most important of the +nineteenth century. He also wrote thousands of letters, of which +260 are translated into English in this first of a 2-volume set +of letters. + +Those who knew him were also struck by his extremely +sophisticated personality. He was surely one of the most +civilized people of the nineteeth century, internalizing within +himself a complex conception of human civility, and attempting to +project it in his music and his communications with people. His +life was centered around people; he knew them, worked with them, +remembered them, thought about them, and wrote about them using +an almost poetic language, while pushing them to reflect the high +ideals he believed in. His personality was the embodiment of a +refined, idealized form of human civility. He was the consummate +musical artist, always looking for ways to communicate a new +civilized idea through music, and to work with other musicians in +organizing concerts and gatherings to perform the music publicly. +He also did as much as he could to promote and compliment those +whose music he believed in. + +He was also a superlative musical critic, knowing, with few +mistakes, what music of his day was "artistic" and what was not. +But, although he was clearly a musical genius, he insisted on +projecting a tonal, romantic "beauty" in his music, confining his +music to a narrow range of moral values and ideals. He would have +rejected 20th-century music that entertained cynical notions of +any kind, or notions that obviated the concept of beauty in any +way. There is no Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Cage, Adams +and certainly no Schoenberg in Liszt's music. His music has an +ideological "ceiling," and that ceiling is "beauty." It never +goes beyond that. And perhaps it was never as "beautiful" as the +music of Mozart, Bach or Beethoven, nor quite as rational (Are +all the emotions in Liszt's music truly "controlled?"). But it +certainly was original and instructive, and it certainly will +linger. + + + +DEDICATION + + + +To the Memory of +MY BROTHER WALTER, +AND TO OUR +DEAR AND HONORED FRIEND +A.J. HIPKINS, ESQ., +I DEDICATE THIS TRANSLATION. + +--C.B. + + + +PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION, BY CONSTANCE BACHE + + + +In writing a few words of Preface I wish to express, first and +foremost, my appreciation of the extreme care and +conscientiousness with which La Mara has prepared these volumes. +In a spirit of no less reverence I have endeavored, in the +English translation, to adhere as closely as possible to all the +minute characteristics that add expression to Liszt's letters: +punctuation has, of necessity, undergone alteration, but italics, +inverted commas, dashes and other marks have been strictly +observed. It may be objected that unnecessary particularity has +been shown in the translation of various titles, names of +Societies or newspapers, quotations, etc.; but there are many +people who, while understanding French, do not read German, and +vice versa, and therefore it has seemed better to translate +everything. Where anything has been omitted in the printed +letters I have adhered to the sign .--. employed by La Mara to +indicate the hiatus. It has seemed best to preserve the spelling +of all proper names as written by Liszt, and not to Anglicise +any, as it is impossible to do all; and therefore, even at the +risk of a seeming affectation, the original form of the name has +been preserved. In the same spirit I have adhered to the correct +form of the name of our adopted composer Handel, and trust I may +be pardoned for so doing on the strength of a little joke of +Liszt's own "The English," he said, "always talk about Gluck and +Handel!" + +La Mara says in her Preface that this collection can by no means +be considered a complete one, as there must exist other letters-- +to Liszt's mother, to Berlioz, Tausig, etc.--which it is hoped +may yet be some day forthcoming. In like manner might there not +also be letters to his daughter Madame Ollivier (not to mention +his still-living daughter Madame Wagner)? [Another volume of +Liszt's letters, of a still more intimate character, addressed to +a lady friend, will be published later on.] + +The English edition is increased by four letters one to Peter +Cornelius, No. 256A in Vol. I., which is interesting in its +reference to the "Barbier"; and, in Vol. II., a kind letter of +introduction which the Master gave me for Madame Tardieu, in +Brussels; one letter to Walter Bache, and one to the London +Philharmonic Society (Nos. 370A and 370B); one of these, it is +true, is partially quoted in a footnote by La Mara, but at this +distance of time there is no reason why these letters should not +be inserted entire, and they will prove of rather particular +interest, both to my brother's friends, and also as having +reference to that never-to-be-forgotten episode--Liszt's last +visit to England. + +This visit, which took place in 1886, a few months before the +Master's death, was for the purpose of his being present at the +performance of his Oratorio of St. Elizabeth (see Letter 370 and +subsequent letters). + +More than forty years had elapsed since Liszt's previous visit to +our shores; times had changed, and the almost unknown, and wholly +unappreciated, had become the acknowledged King in a realm where +many were Princes. Some lines embodying in words England's +welcome to this king--headed by a design in which the Hungarian +and the English coats-of-arms unite above two clasped hands, and +a few bars of a leading theme from the St. Elizabeth--were +written by me and presented to Liszt with a basket of roses +(emblematic of the rose miracle in the Oratorio) tied with the +Hungarian colors, on his entrance into St. James's Hall on April +6th, 1886. + +As a memento of that occasion it has been chosen as frontispiece +to the Second Volume. + +Constance Bache + +London, December 1893 + + + +TABLE OF LETTER CONTENTS (LETTER NUMBER, FOLLOWED BY ADDRESSEE): + + + +1. Carl Czerny in Vienna. December 23rd, 1828 +2. De Mancy in Paris. December 23rd, 1829 +3. Carl Czerny. August 26th, 1830 +4. Alphonse Brot in Paris. Beginning of the 30th year +5. Pierre Wolff in Geneva. May 2nd, 1832 +6. Ferdinand Hiller. June 20th, 1833 +7. Abbe de Lamennais, La Chenaie. January 14th, 1835 +8. Liszt's Mother 183- +9. Abbe de Lamennais. May 28th, 1836 +10. Lydie Pavy in Lyons. August 22nd, 1836 +11. Abbe de Lamennais. December 18th, 1837 +12. Breitkopf and Hartel in Leipzig. April 5th, 1838 +13. Robert Schumann in Leipzig. May, 1838 +14. The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. June 1st, 1815 +15. Simon Lowy in Vienna. September 22nd, 1838 +16. Pacini in Paris. September 30th, 1838 +17. Breitkopf and Hartel. January 3rd, 1839 +18. Princess Christine Belgiojoso in Paris. June 4th, 1839 +19. Robert Schumann. June 5th, 1820 +20. Breitkopf and Hartel. June, 1839 +21. The Beethoven Committee at Bonn. October 3rd, 1839 +22. Count Leo Festetics in Pest. November 24th, 1839 +23. Clara Wieck. December 25th, 1839 +24. Robert Schumann. March 27th, 1841 +25. Franz von Schober in Vienna. April 3rd, 1840 +26. Maurice Schlesinger in Paris. May 14th, 1840 +27. Franz von Schober. May or June, 1840 +28. the same. August 29th, 1840 +29. Buloz in Paris. October 26th, 1840 +30. Franz von Schober. December 5th, 1840 +31. Breitkopf and Hartel. May 7th, 1841 +32. Simon Lowy. May 20th, 1841 +33. Franz von Schober. March 3rd, 1842 +34. The Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Konigsberg. +March 18th, 1842 +35. Freiherr von Spiegel in Weimar. September 12th, 1842 +36. Carl Filitsch2 or 1843 +37. Franz von Schober. March 4th, 1844 +38. Franz Kroll. June 11th, 1844 +39. Freund. June 11th, 1844 +40. Franz von Schober. March 3rd, 1845 +41. Franz Kroll in Glogau. March 26th, 1845 +42. Abbe de Lamennais. April 28th, 1845 +43. Frederic Chopin. May 21st, 1845 +44. George Sand. May 21st, 1845 +45. Abbe de Lamennais. June 1st, 1845 +46. Gaetano Belloni in Paris. July 23rd, 1845 +47. Mme. Rondonneau in Sedan. February 11th, 1846 +48. Grillparzer 1846 (?) +49. Franz von Schober in Weimar. April 11th, 1846 +50. the same. May 28th, 1846 +51. Alexander Seroff. September 14th, 1847 +52. Carl Haslinger in Vienna. December 19th, 1847 +53. Baron von Dornis in Jena. March 6th, 1848 +54. Franz von Schober. April 22nd, 1848 +55. Bernhard Cossmann in Baden-Baden. September 18th, 1848 +56. Carl Reinecke. March 25th, 1849 +57. Count Sandor Teleky(?) May 5th, 1849 +58. Belloni(?). May 14th, 1849 +59. Carl Reinecke. May 30th, 1849 +60. Robert Schumann. June 5th, 1849 +61. the same. July 27th, 1849 +62. the same. August 1st, 1849 +63. Carl Reinecke. September 7th, 1849 +64. Breitkopf and Hartel. January 14th, 1850 +65. the same. February 24th, 1850 +66. J. C. Lobe in Leipzig. July 10th, 1850 +67. Friedrich Wieck in Dresden. August 4th, 1850 +68. Simon Lowy. August 5th, 1850 +69. Mathilde Graumann. October 11th, 1850 +70. Carl Reinecke. January 1st, 1851 +71. Leon Escudier in Paris. February 4th, 1851 +72. Carl Reinecke. March 19th, 1851 +73. Dr. Eduard Liszt in Vienna1 +74. Count Casimir Esterhazy. June 6th, 1851 +75. Theodor Uhlig in Dresden. June 25th, 1851 +76. Rosalie Spohr in Brunswick. July 3rd, 1851 +77. the same. July 22nd, 1851 +78. Breitkopf and Hartel. December 1st, 1851 +79. Louis Kohler in Konigsberg. April 16th, 1852 +80. Carl Reinecke. April 16th, 1852 +81. Carl Czerny. April 19th, 1852 +82. Gustav Schmidt in Frankfort-on-the-Maine. May 18th, 1852 +83. Robert Schumann. June 8th, 1852 84.the same. June 26th, 1852 +85. Peter Cornelius. September 4th, 1852 +86. Clara Schumann. September 11th, 1852 +87. Carl Czerny. September or October, 1852 +88. Breitkopf and Hartel. October 30th, 1852 +89. the same. November 10th, 1852 +90. Julius Stern in Berlin. November 24th, 1852 +91. Wilhelm von Lenz in St. Petersburg. December 2nd, 1852 +92. Robert Radecke in Leipzig. December 9th, 1852 +93. Bernhard Cossmann. December, 1852 +94. Wilhelm Fischer in Dresden. January 13th, 1853 +95. Edmund Singer. January 15th, 1853 +96. To Frau Dr. Lidy Steche in Leipzig. February 14th, 1853 +97. Gustav Schmidt. February 27th, 1853 +98. Heinrich Brockhaus in Leipzig. March 22nd, 1853 +99. Dr. Franz Brendel in Leipzig. April 3rd, 1853 +100. the same. April 30th, 1853 +101. Louis Kohler. May 6th, 1853 +102. the same. May 24th, 1853 +103. the same. August 1st, 1853 +104. Richard Pohl in Dresden. November 5th, 1853 +105. Wilhelm Fischer. January 4th, 1854 +106. Escudier in Paris. January 21st, 1854 +107. the same. January 28th, 1854 +108. Dr. Franz Brendel. February 20th, 1854 +109. Louis Kohler. March 2nd, 1854 +110. Dr. Franz Brendel. March 18th, 1854 +111. Louis Kohler. April or May, 1854 +112. Dr. Franz Brendel. April 26th, 1854 +113. Louis Kohler. June 8th, 1854 +114. Dr. Franz Brendel. June 12th, 1854 +115. Carl Klindworth in London. July 2nd, 1854 +116. Dr. Franz Brendel. July 7th, 1854 +117. Anton Rubinstein. July 31st, 1854 +118. Dr. Franz Brendel. August 12th, 1854 +119. Anton Rubinstein. August, 1854 +120. Alexander Ritter in Dresden. September 6th, 1854 +121. Bernhard Cossmann. September 8th, 1854 +122. Gaetano Belloni. September 9th, 1854 +123. Dr. Eduard Liszt October 10th, 1854 +124. Anton Rubinstein. October 19th, 1854 +125. Dr. Franz Brendel. Beginning of November, 1854 +126. Anton Rubinstein. November 19th, 1854 215 +127. Dr. Franz Brendel. December 1st, 1854 +128. J. W. von Wasielecvski in Bonn. December 14th, 1854 +129. William Mason in New York. December 14th, 1854 +130. Rosalie Spohr. January 4th, 1855 +131. To Alfred Dorffel in Leipzig. January 17th, 1855 +132. Anton Rubinstein. February 1st, 1855 +133. Louis Kohler. March 16th, 1855 +134. Dr. Franz Brendel. March 18th, 1855 +135. the same. April 1st, 1855 +136. Anton Rubinstein. April 3rd, 1855 +137. Freiherr Beaulieu-Marconnay. May 21st, 1855 +138. Anton Rubinstein. June 3rd, 1855 +139. Dr. Franz Brendel. June, 1855 +140. the same. June 16th, 1855 +141. Edmund Singer. August 1st, 1855 +142. Bernhard Cossmann. August 15th, 1855 +143. August Kiel in Detmold. September 8th, 1855 +144. Moritz Hauptmann. September 28th, 1855 +145. Dr. Eduard Liszt December 3rd, 1855 +146. Frau Meyerbeer in Berlin. December 14th, 1855 +147. Dr. Ritter von Seiler in Vienna. December 26th, 1855 +148. Dr. Eduard Liszt February 9th, 1856 +149. Dr. von Seiler. February loth, 1856 +150. Dr. Franz Brendel. February 19th, 1856 +151. Dionys Pruckner in Vienna. March 17th, 1856 +152. Breitkopf and Hartel. May 15th, 1856 +153. Louis Kohler. May 24th, 1856 +154. the same. July 9th, 1856 +155. Hoffmann von Fallersleben. July 14th, 1856 +156. Wilhelm Wieprecht. July 18th, 1856 +157. Edmund Singer. July 28th, 1856 +158. Joachim Raff. July 31st, 1856 +159. Anton Rubinstein. August 6th, 1856 +160. Joachim Raff. August 7th, 1856 +161. Anton Rubinstein. August 21st, 1856 +162. Dr. Eduard Liszt September 5th, 1856 +163. Louis Kohler. October 8th, 1856 +164. Dr. Gille in Jena. November 14th, 1856 +165. Dr. Adolf Stern in Dresden. November 14th, 18293 +166. Louis Kohler. November 21st, 1856 +167. Dr. Eduard Liszt November 24th, 1856 +168. Alexander Ritter in Stettin. December 4th, 1856 +169. L. A. Zellner in Vienna. January 2nd, 1857 299 +170. Von Turanyi in Aix-la-Chapelle. January 3rd, 1830 +171. J. W. von Wasielewski. January 9th, 1857 +172. Alexis von Lwoff in St. Petersburg. January 10th, 1857 +173. Johann von Herbeck in Vienna. January 12th, 1857 +174. Franz Gotze in Leipzig. February 1st, 1857 +175. Dionys Pruckner. February 11th, 1857 +176. Joachim Raff. February, 1857 +177. Ferdinand David. February 26th, 1857 +178. Wladimir Stassoff in St. Petersburg. March 17th, 1857 +179. Wilhelm von Lenz in St. Petersburg. March 24th, 1857 +180. Dr. Eduard Liszt March 26th, 1857 +181. Georg Schariezer in Pressburg. April 25th, 1857 +182. Dr. Eduard Liszt April 27th, 1857 +183. Frau von Kaulbach. May 1st, 1857 +184. Fedor von Milde in Weimar. June 3rd, 1857 +185. Johann von Herbeck. June 12th, 1857 +186. Countess Rosalie Sauerma. June 22nd, 1857 +187. Ludmilla Schestakoff in St. Petersburg. October 7th, 1857 +188. Carl Haslinger. December 5th, 1857 +189. Stein in Sondershausen. December 6th, 1857 +190. Alexander Ritter. December 7th, 1857 +191. Max Seifriz in Lowenberg. December 24th, 1857 +192. Alexander Seroff. January 8th, 1858 +193. Basil von Engelhardt. January 8th, 1858 +194. Felix Draseke. January Loth, 1858 +195. Louis Kohler. February 1st, 1858 +196. L.A. Zellner. February 8th, 1858 +197. Peter Cornelius. February 19th, 1858 +198. Dionys Pruckner. March 9th, 1858 +199. Dr. Eduard Liszt March Loth, 1858 +200. Fran Dr. Steche. March 20th, 1858 +201. L. A. Zellner. April 6th, 1858 +202. Dr. Eduard Liszt April 7th, 1858 +203. Adolf Reubke in Hausneinsdorf. June 10th, 1858 +204. Prince Constantin von Hohenzollern-Hechingen. August 18th, +1858 +205. Frau Rosa von Milde. August 25th, 1858 +206. Dr. Franz Brendel. November 2nd, 1858 +207. Johann von Herbeck. November 22nd, 1858 +208. Felix Draseke. January 12th, 1859 +209. Heinrich Porges. March loth, 18379 +210. Max Seifriz. March 22nd, 1859 +211. Dr. Eduard Liszt April 5th, 1859 +212. Music-Director N. N. April 17th, 1859 +213. Peter Cornelius. May 23rd, 1859 +214. Dr. Franz Brendel. May 23rd, 1859 +215. Felix Draseke. July 19th, 1859 +216. Peter Cornelius. August 23rd, 1859 +217. Dr. Franz Brendel. September 2nd, 1859 +218. Louis Kohler. September 3rd, 1859 +219. Dr. Franz Brendel. September 8th, 1859 +220. Johann von Herbeck. October 11th, 1859 +221. Felix Draseke. October 20th, 1859 +222. Heinrich Porges. October 30th, 1859 +223. Ingeborg Stark. November 2nd, 1859 +224. Johann von Herbeck. November 18th, 1859 +225. Dr. Franz Brendel. December 1st, 1859 +226. Anton Rubinstein. December 3rd, 1859 +227. Dr. Franz Brendel. December 6th, 1859 +228. Dr. Eduard Liszt December 28th, 1859 +229. Josef Dessauer. December 30th, 1859 +230. Wilkoszewski in Munich. January 15th, 1860 +231. Johann von Herbeck. January 26th, 1860 +232. Dr. Franz Brendel. January 25th, 1860 +233. Friedrich Hebbel. February 5th, 1860 +234. Dr. Franz Brendel. February, 1860 +235. the same March or April, 1860 +236. Louis Kohler. July 5th, 1860 +237. Dr. Eduard Liszt July 9th, 1860 +238. Ingeborg Stark. Summer, 1860 +239. Dr. Franz Brendel. August 9th, 1860 +240. Princess C. Sayn-Wittgenstein. September 14th, 1860 +241. Dr. Franz Brendel. September 20th, 1860 +242. Dr. Eduard Liszt September 20th, 1860 +243. Hoffmann von Fallersleben. October 3oth, 1860 +244. Franz Gotze. November 4th, 1860 +245. Dr. Franz Brendel. November 16th, 1860 +246. the same. December 2nd, 1860 +247. C.F. Kahnt in Leipzig. December 2nd, 1860 +248. the same. December 19th, 1860 +249. Dr. Franz Brendel. December 19th, 1860 +250. Felix Draseke. December 3oth, 1860 +251. Dr. Franz Brendel. Beginning of January, 1861 +252. the same. January 20th, 1861 +253. the same. March 4th, 1861 +254. Peter Cornelius. April 18th, 1861. +255. Hoffmann von Fallersleben. April 18th, 1861 +256. Peter Cornelius. July 12th, 1861 +256A. the same. July 14th, 1861 +257. Alfred Dorffel. July 18th, 1861 +258. Edmund Singer in Stuttgart. August 17th, 1861 +259. C.F. Kahnt. August 27th, 1861 +260. Dr. Franz Brendel. September 16th, 1861 + + + +THE LETTERS OF FRANZ LISZT, VOL. 1 + + + +1. To Carl Czerny in Vienna. + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +The addressee was Liszt's former teacher, the celebrated Viennese +teacher of music and composer of innumerable instructive works +(1791-1857).] + +My very dear Master, + +When I think of all the immense obligations under which I am +placed towards you, and at the same time consider how long I have +left you without a sign of remembrance, I am perfectly ashamed +and miserable, and in despair of ever being forgiven by you! +"Yes," I said to myself with a deep feeling of bitterness, "I am +an ungrateful fellow; I have forgotten my benefactor, I have +forgotten that good master to whom I owe both my talent and my +success."...At these words a tear starts to my eyes, and I assure +you that no repentant tear was ever more sincere! Receive it as +an expiation, and pardon me, for I cannot any longer bear the +idea that you have any ill-feeling towards me. You will pardon +me, my dear Master, won't you? Embrace me then...good! Now my +heart is light. + +You have doubtless heard that I have been playing your admirable +works here with the greatest success, and all the glory ought to +be given to you. I intended to have played your variations on the +"Pirate" the day after tomorrow at a very brilliant concert that +I was to have given at the theater of H.R.H. Madame, who was to +have been present as well as the Duchess of Orleans; but man +proposes and God disposes. I have suddenly caught the measles, +and have been obliged to say farewell to the concert; but it is +not given up because it is put off, and I hope, as soon as ever I +am well again, to have the pleasure of making these beautiful +variations known to a large public. + +Pixis [a notable pianist (1788-1874)--lived a long time in Paris] +and several other people have spoken much to me of four concertos +that you have lately finished, and the reputation of which is +already making a stir in Paris. I should be very much pleased, my +dear Master, if you would commission me to get them sold. This +would be quite easy for me to do, and I should also have the +pleasure of playing them FROM FIRST HAND, either at the opera or +at some big concerts. If my proposition pleases you, send them to +me by the Austrian Embassy, marking the price that you would like +to have for them. As regards any passages to be altered, if there +are any, you need only mark them with a red pencil, according to +your plan which I know so well, and I will point them out to the +editor with the utmost care. Give me at the same time some news +about music and pianists in Vienna; and finally tell me, dear +Master, which of your compositions you think would make the best +effect in society. + +I close by sending you my heartfelt greetings, and begging you +once more to pardon the shameful silence I have kept towards you: +be assured that it has given me as much pain as yourself! + +Your very affectionate and grateful pupil, + +F. Liszt + +December 23rd, 1828 + +P.S.--Please answer me as soon as possible, for I am longing for +a letter from you; and please embrace your excellent parents from +me. I add my address (Rue Montholon, No. 7bis). + + + +2. To De Mancy in Paris + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris.] + +December 23rd, 1829 + +My Dear M. de Mancy, + +I am so full of lessons that each day, from half-past eight in +the morning till 10 at night, I have scarcely breathing time. +Please excuse me therefore for not coming, as I should have liked +to do, to lunch with Madame de Mancy, but it is quite impossible. +The only thing I could do would be to come about 10 o'clock, if +that would not be too late for a wedding day, and in that case I +will beg M. Ebner [Carl Ebner, a Hungarian, a talented violinist +(1812-1836)] to come with me. I don't write you a longer letter, +for there is a pupil who has been waiting for me for an hour. +Besides, we are not standing on ceremony. Ever yours, + +F. Liszt + + + +3. To Carl Czerny + +[Autograph in the Musical Society's Archives in Vienna. Printed +in a German translation: "La Mara, Letters of Musicians extending +over Five Centuries." II. Leipzig, B. and H. 1887.] + +My dear and beloved Master, + +It would be impossible to explain to you the why and wherefore of +my leaving you so long without news of me. Moreover, I have now +only five minutes in which to write to you, for Mr. Luden, a +pianist from Copenhagen, is starting shortly, and for fear of +delaying his journey I must be brief; but what is postponed is +not lost, so cheer up, for very soon you will get a great thick +letter from me, which I will take care to prepay, as I should not +like to ruin you. + +Among all the circles of artists where I go in this country I +plead your cause tremendously: we all want you to come and stay +some time in Paris; it would certainly do you a great deal of +good, and you are so widely esteemed that you will doubtless be +well satisfied with the reception you will meet with here. If you +ever entertain this idea, write to me, I entreat you, for I will +do for you what I would do for my father. I have been making a +special study of your admirable sonata (Op. 7), and have since +played it at several reunions of connoisseurs (or would-be +connoisseurs): you cannot imagine what an effect it made; I was +quite overcome by it. It was in a burst of enthusiasm caused by +the Prestissimo, that Mr. Luden begged for a few words of +introduction to you; I know your kindness, indeed I could never +forget it. I therefore commend him in all confidence of your +goodness, until the time when I am so happy as to embrace you +myself and to show you (however feebly) all the gratitude and +admiration which fill me. + +F. Liszt + +Paris, August 26th, 1830 + + + +4. To Alphonse Brot in Paris + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris.] + +(Paris, Beginning of the 30th year.) + +It would give us great pleasure, my dear M. Brot, if you would +come and dine with us without ceremony tomorrow, Monday, about 6 +o'clock; I do not promise you a good dinner,--that is not the +business of us poor artists; but the good company you will meet +will, I trust, make up for that. Monsieur Hugo [the poet] and +Edgard Quinet [French writer and philosopher] have promised to +come. So do try not to disappoint us, for we should miss you +much. My good mother told me to press you to come, for she is +very fond of you. Till tomorrow then! Kind regards and thanks. + +F. Liszt + +I have been at least six times to you without having the pleasure +of seeing you. + +61, Rue de Provence. + + + +5. Monsieur Pierre Wolff (Junior), Rue de la Tertasse, Geneva, +Switzerland + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Gaston Calmann-Levy in Paris.] + +Nous disons: "Il est temps. Executons, c'est l'heure." Alors nous +retournons les yeux--La Mort est la! Ainsi de mes projets.--Quand +vous verrai-je, Espagne, Et Venise et son golfe, et Rome et sa +campagne, + +Toi, Sicile, que ronge un volcan souterrain, Grece qu'on connait +trop, Sardaigne qu'on ignore, Cites de l'Aquilon, du Couchant, de +l'Aurore, Pyramides du Nil, Cathedrales du Rhin! Qui sait?-- +jamais peut-etre! + +[We say: "Now it is time. Let's act, for 'tis the hour." Then +turn we but our eyes--lo! death is there! Thus with my plans. +When shall I see thee, Espagna, And Venice with her gulf, and +Rome with her Campagna; Thou, Sicily, whom volcanoes undermine; +Greece, whom we know too well, Sardinia, unknown one, Lands of +the north, the west, the rising sun, Pyramids of the Nile, +Cathedrals of the Rhine! Who knows? Never perchance!] + +Earthly life is but a malady of the soul, an excitement which is +kept up by the passions. The natural state of the soul is rest! + +Paris, May 2nd [1832] + +Here is a whole fortnight that my mind and fingers have been +working like two lost spirits, Homer, the Bible, Plato, Locke, +Byron, Hugo, Lamartine, Chateaubriand, Beethoven, Bach, Hummel, +Mozart, Weber, are all around me. I study them, meditate on them, +devour them with fury; besides this I practice four to five hours +of exercises (3rds, 6ths, 8ths, tremolos, repetition of notes, +cadences, etc., etc.). Ah! provided I don't go mad, you will find +an artist in me! Yes, an artist such as you desire, such as is +required nowadays! + +"And I too am a painter!" cried Michael Angelo the first time he +beheld a chef d'oeuvre...Though insignificant and poor, your +friend cannot leave off repeating those words of the great man +ever since Paganini's last performance. Rene, what a man, what a +violin, what an artist! Heavens! what sufferings, what misery, +what tortures in those four strings! + +Here are a few of his characteristics:-- + +[Figure: Liszt here writes down several tiny excerpts from +musical scores of Paganini's violin music, such as his famous +"Caprices"] + +As to his expression, his manner of phrasing, his very soul in +fact!---- + +May 8th [1832] + +My good friend, it was in a paroxysm of madness that I wrote you +the above lines; a strain of work, wakefulness, and those violent +desires (for which you know me) had set my poor head aflame; I +went from right to left, then from left to right (like a sentinel +in the winter, freezing), singing, declaiming, gesticulating, +crying out; in a word, I was delirious. Today the spiritual and +the animal (to use the witty language of M. de Maistre) are a +little more evenly balanced; for the volcano of the heart is not +extinguished, but is working silently.--Until when?-- + +Address your letters to Monsieur Reidet, the receiver-general at +the port of Rouen. + +A thousand kind messages to the ladies Boissier. I will tell you +some day the reasons which prevented me from starting for Geneva. +On this subject I shall call you in evidence. + +Bertini is in London; Madame Malibran is making her round of +Germany; Messemaecker (how is he getting on?) is resting on his +laurels at Brussels; Aguado has the illustrious maestro Rossini +in tow.--Ah--Hi--Oh--Hu!!! + + + +6. To Ferdinand Hiller + +[This letter, published by F. Niecks ("F. Chopin, Man and +Musician," Vol. 1. German by Langhans. Leipzig, Leuckart, 1890), +was written by Liszt and Chopin jointly, and was also signed by +Chopin's friend Franchomme, the violoncellist. The part written +by Chopin is indicated here by parentheses ().--Addressed to the +well-known composer and author, afterwards Director of the +Conservatorium and Concert Society at Cologne (1811-1885).] + +This is the twentieth time, at least, that we have tried to meet, +first at my house, then here, with the intention of writing to +you, and always some visit, or some other unforeseen hindrance, +has occurred. I don't know whether Chopin will be strong enough +to make excuses to you; for my part, it seems to me that we have +been so unmannerly and impertinent that no excuses are now +permissible or possible. + +We sympathized most deeply in your bereavement, and more deeply +did we wish that we could be with you in order to soften, as far +as possible, the grief of your heart. [Hiller had lost his +father.] + +(He has said it all so well that I have nothing to add to excuse +me specially for my negligence or idleness, or whim or +distraction, or--or--or--You know that I can explain myself +better in person, and, this autumn, when I take you home late by +the boulevards to your mother, I shall try to obtain your pardon. +I am writing to you without knowing what my pen is scribbling, as +Liszt is at this moment playing my Studies, and transporting me +away from all suitable ideas. I wish I could steal his manner of +rendering my own works. With regard to your friends who are +staying in Paris, I have often seen, during this winter and +spring, the Leo family [August Leo, banker in Paris], and all +that follows. There have been evenings at certain ambassadresses' +houses, and there was not a single one at which somebody living +at Frankfort was not mentioned. Madame Eichthal sends you many +kind messages--Plater [Count Plater, Chopin's countryman, and a +friend also of Liszt], the whole family were very sorry for your +departure, and begged me to give you their condolences.) Madame +d'Apponyi [Apponyi, the Austrian ambassador in Paris] was very +much vexed with me for not having taken you there before your +departure; she hopes that when you come back you will be sure to +remember the promise you made me. I will say as much of a certain +lady who is not an ambassadress. + +Do you know Chopin's wonderful Studies?--(They are admirable! and +moreover they will last only until yours appear) = an author's +little piece of modesty!!! (A little piece of rudeness on the +part of the regent, for--to explain the matter fully--he is +correcting my spelling) according to the method of Monsieur +Marlet. + +You will come back in the month of (September, isn't it? tr)y +[Tach]ez] to let us know the day; we have determined to give you +a serenade or charivari [mock serenade]. The company of the most +distinguished artists of the capital = M. Franchomme (present), +Madame Petzold, and the Abbe Bardin [passionate lover of music, +who had a great many artists to see him], the leaders of the Rue +d'Amboise (and my neighbors), Maurice Schlesinger [music +publisher], uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, +sisters-in-law, and--and ("en plan du troisienae," etc.). ["in +the third row--i.e. less important people]. The responsible +editors, + +F. Liszt + +(F. Chopin) (Aug. Franchomme.) + +(By-the-bye, I met Heine yesterday, who begged me to grussen you +herzlich and herzlich.) [to send you his warmest and most +heartfelt greetings] + +(By-the-bye, also, please excuse all the "you's" [Instead of the +more familiar "thee" and "thou."]--I do beg you to excuse them. +If you have a moment to spare, give us news of yourself, which +would be most welcome. Paris, Rue de la Chaussee d'Antin, No. 5. +At present I am occupying Franck's lodging [Dr. Hermann Franck, +author, friend of Chopin and of many other celebrities; editor +also for a short time, in the forties, of Brockhaus's "Deutsche +Allgemeine Zeitung"]--he is gone to London and Berlin. I am most +happy in the rooms which were so often our meeting-place. Berlioz +sends greetings. + +As to pere Baillot, he is in Switzerland, at Geneva. So now you +can guess that I can't send you the Bach concerto. + +June 20th, 1833) + + + +7. To Abbe F. de Lamennais + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +Addressed to the celebrated French author (1782-1854), who +followed his brilliant apology of Catholicism, "Essai sur +l'Indifference en Matiere de Religion" (Essay on Indifference in +Matters of Religion, 1817-1823), by the "Paroles d'un Croyant" +(Words of a Believer, 1834), a veritable "Ode to revolution in +the sublimest biblical style," and sought to bring religious and +political liberty into accord with true religiousness. The latter +work made an unheard-of sensation, but brought upon him the +anathema of the Church. He obtained a great influence over Liszt, +who was on intimate terms with him.] + +Four months have actually passed, dear Father, since we parted, +and I feel very sad at not getting a word from you!--at the same +time I do not wish to complain, for it seems to me that you can +never doubt my deep and filial affection...Much more, I even know +that you have been willing to accept it, and, however humble it +may be, to count it for something...What more then can I +desire?... + +Eugene, whose brotherly friendship becomes dearer to me day by +day, has often given me good tidings of you. The last time I saw +him he told me confidentially that you were working at a sort of +Introduction, or developed Preface to your works.--Although I +know perfectly well that my interest counts for nothing in this +matter, I may be permitted nevertheless to tell you how glad I am +to know that you are occupied with this work. To yourself, first +of all, I think you owe it--your name and glory will shine out +all the more powerfully for it. And, secondly, for the public it +will be a work of art the more (and this commodity becomes rather +rare as time goes on), and which will besides have the double +advantage of aiding and fixing them in the understanding of your +past works, whilst at the same time preparing them for, and +initiating them into, your future thoughts. + +And, lastly, for us who love you, and who would glory and be +proud to be one day called your disciples, we rejoice in it +because the world will learn to know you better by this means, +and because it will probably be another opportunity for us to +show our sympathetic admiration as well as our unalterable +devotion for you. + +Unless something very unforeseen occurs, I shall come again and +beg you to receive me for a few days towards the middle of July; +I trust sufficiently to your sincerity to tell me that you would +rather not have me if my individuality would trouble or bother +you too much.--Before that, I shall have the honor of sending you +a little work, to which I have had the audacity to tack a great +name--yours.--It is an instrumental De profundis. The plain-song +that you like so much is preserved in it with the Faburden. +Perhaps this may give you a little pleasure, at any rate, I have +done it in remembrance of some hours passed (I should say +"lived") at La Chenaie. + +Farewell, dear Father. I don't give you any news of Paris,--you +know all that. You know that Ballanche wants to be an +Academician, and accepts Salvandy and Dupaty as competitors,--you +know the little check of January,--the miserable petty intrigues +of court and newspaper and vestry;--in a word, you know how men +are wanting in noble and generous sentiments, and how they make +the most of their own ignoble ends and interests, to which their +words and actions yet give the lie. + +Farewell once more, dear Father. Think as often as possible of +all the good you have done, and of that which men have a right to +expect of you. Think sometimes also of the help and the wealth of +affection that you have showered on me in particular, and may the +remembrance of this be sweet to you!... + +Yours ever, for life--from heart and soul, + +F. Liszt + +January 14th, 1835 + +Tomorrow morning I have to leave for two months. If you should be +so good as to write to me before my return, please address +always, 61, Rue de Provence. My mother will take care that I have +your kind letter. + + + +8. To his Mother + +[From a copy, by Mr. Vladimir Stassoff of St. Petersburg, the +original of which is in Russia. The letter in itself is +unimportant, but it is the only one to Liszt's mother which the +editor could get, and gives a fresh proof of the devotion of the +artist to his mother.] + +Dear Mother, + +Please send me at once, without any delay, the Pianist's +Glossary, which you will get at Lemonier's, Rue de l'Echelle. + +Simply put it in a cover, and put it in the post (General +Office), and I shall get it, at latest, by Monday or Tuesday.-- + +Address to Mr. Hermann Cohen, Grande Rue, No. 8. + +[Cohen was a frequently mentioned pupil and favorite of Liszt's +who was born at Hamburg in 1820, much thought of as a pianist in +Paris, and immortalised as "Puzzi" by George Sand ("Lettres d'un +Voyageur"); he followed Liszt to Geneva, and gave lessons there. +In 1850 he entered the order of Carmelites, and, under the name +of Pater Augustin, died in Berlin in January 1871, whither he had +gone with French prisoners.] + +I have an immense deal to do this morning, so that I have barely +time to tell you that I love you with all my heart, and that I +rejoice above everything at the prospect of seeing you again +soon--that is to say, in six or eight months. + +F. Liszt + +You will hear of me from Mr. Pinondel, who passed a day with us. + + + +9. To the Abbe F. de Lamennais, La Chenaie + +[Autograph in the possession of Mr. Marshall in London.] + +[Paris, May 28th, 1836--according to the stamp of the post +office] + +Dear and venerable Father, + +I shall expect you. Whatever sorrow there is in the depth of my +soul, it will be sweet and consoling to me to see you again. + +You are so wonderfully good to me! and I should suffer so much by +being so long away from you!-- + +Au revoir then, once more--in eight days at latest it will be, +will it not? I do nothing else than keep expecting you. + +Yours, with the deepest respect and most sincere devotion, + +F. Liszt + + + +10. To Mademoiselle Lydie Pavy, of La Glaciere, Lyons + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris.] + +St. Gervais, August 22nd [1836]. + +Your postscript deserves a punishment, and here it comes dated +from St. Gervais. I do not know whether your charming sister-in- +law, Madame Pavy, will consider this stamp of St. Gervais worthy +to appear in her collection; be that as it may, it gives me no +less a pleasure to converse a little with you who are always so +charming, so versatile, so excellent, and, permit me to say, so +kind to me. + +Mademoiselle Merienne, whom I saw only quite lately (for you must +know that during the whole month of July, of glorious memory, I +have barely condescended to go down once or twice to Geneva; I +was living in a little bit of a house on the mountain, whence, +let me say parenthetically, it would have been quite easy for me +to hurl sermons and letters at you); Mademoiselle Merienne (what +shall I say to you after such an enormous parenthesis?), somewhat +like (by way of a new parenthesis) those declaimed discourses of +Plantade or Lhuillier, which put a stop to music whilst +nevertheless admitting that there is such a thing, whether at the +beginning or at the end--Mademoiselle Merienne--au diable +Mademoiselle Merienne! You guess by this time that she gave me +tidings of you, that she is a delightful and enchanting person, +that she makes admirable portraits, and that mine, amongst +others, has been a wonderful success. Etc., etc., and always +etc... + +And yet I do wish to talk to you about this good Mademoiselle +Merienne, for she said a heap of charming things to me for your +sake, which will certainly not astonish you. But how to set about +it after all this preamble of parentheses? Ah, I have it!--In +three or four weeks I shall come and knock at your door.--And +then? Well, then we will chatter away at our ease. So much the +worse for you if you are not satisfied with my cunning stratagem. +Now let us talk business; yes, seriously, let us talk business! + +Has your brother returned from his journey? And is he well? And +has no accident happened to him on the way? You are surprised, +perhaps, at my anxiety; but by-and-bye you will understand it +without difficulty, when I have explained to you how terribly +interested I am in the fact of his journey being safely +accomplished. + +Just imagine that at this moment I have only 200 fr. in my purse +(a ridiculously small sum for a traveler), and that it is M. Pavy +who is to be my financial Providence, considering that it is to +him that my mother has confided my little quarterly income of a +thousand francs. Now at this point I must entrust you with a +little secret, which at present is only known to two individuals, +Messrs. Paccard and Roger (charming names for confidants, are not +they?), and which I beg you to make known as quickly as possible +to your brother. It concerns a little scrap of paper (which these +rogues of bankers call a draft, I believe), for a thousand +francs, by which Messrs. Paccard and Roger are authorized by my +signature, which is at the bottom, to demand the above sum of a +thousand francs (which my mother entrusted to M. Pavy in Paris) +from M. Pavy, junior, living at La Glaciere at Lyons, after the +22nd of August, 1836. + +A thousand pardons for troubling you with these details, but I +should never have had the courage to write direct to your +brother, on account of my profound ignorance in money matters. + +You tell me that you passed part of the fine season in the +country--why did not you arrange so as to tour for a little among +the mountains of Switzerland? I should have had such pleasure in +doing the honors, and Mademoiselle Merienne also...but don't let +us speak any more of Mademoiselle Merienne (who, be it observed +in parenthesis, must have already appeared a dozen times in this +letter), for fear of again falling into inextricable parentheses. + +Au revoir then; in five weeks at latest I shall come and warm +myself at your "glacier." + +F. Liszt + + + +11. To Abbe de Lamennais + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.] + +My friend Louis de Ronchaud writes me word that he has had the +honor of seeing you, dear Father, and that you were kind enough +to give him a message of affectionate remembrance for me. I am +very happy to know that you continue to keep this precious and +friendly feeling for me, of which you have already given me so +many proofs, and which I shall endeavour always to deserve as far +as is in my power. + +I am still not very far advanced in my Italian journey. The +beauty of these parts, the necessity of writing with some little +continuance, and also, if all be said, some altogether unexpected +successes, have kept me in Milan and the neighborhood (Como and +the delicious shores of the lake) much longer than I had +foreseen. As regards musical matters, the presence of Rossini, +whom I frequently see, gives a certain impetus to this country. I +have been singularly well received here, so I shall probably pass +the greater part of the winter here, and shall not start for +Venice till towards the beginning of March. Thence I shall go to +Florence and Rome, where I expect I shall stay a good long time. + +D. has no doubt talked to you of our stay at Nohant last summer. +I think that he got rid there of a good many old prejudices about +me. It was a sweet satisfaction to me to learn through him how +good and indulgent you have been towards me on several occasions, +even so far as to contradict and defend me warmly against him and +against others who knew me still less. I had charged our secret +friend to defend me in his turn from a slight wrong which I had, +only apparently, committed, but even "apparently" is too much, +and I think I have entirely justified myself with regard to it. I +don't know whether in his noble carelessness he will have thought +of it. However that may be, I shall always count on your paternal +affection more than all the rest. + +What can I say to you of Italy that you do not know, and that you +have not said in such manner as to cause despair for ever to the +makers of observations!--It is always the same status quo, the +excellent and perfectly happy government that you know.--I am +hoping and longing ardently for your next book [probably "Le +Livre du Peuple": Paris, 1837], which I shall read with my whole +heart and soul, as I have read all that you have written for four +years. I shall owe you just so many more good and noble emotions. +Will they remain for ever sterile? Will my life be for ever +tainted with this idle uselessness which weighs upon me? Will the +hour of devotion and of manly action never come? Am I condemned +without respite to this trade of a Merry Andrew and to amuse in +drawing-rooms? + +Whatever may be my poor and humble destiny, do not ever doubt my +heart. Do not ever doubt the deep respect and unalterable +devotion with which you have inspired me. + +Yours for ever, + +F. Liszt + +Como, December 18th, 1837 + + + +12. To Breitkopf and Hartel in Leipzig + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Hermann Scholtz, +Kammervirtuoso in Dresden.] + +I thank you much, gentlemen, for the obliging letter that you +have written me. Up to the present time I have had none but the +most pleasant business relations with Mr. Hofmeister, who has the +kindness to publish the greater part of my works in Germany. As I +do not know very much of the laws which regulate literary and +musical proprietorship in Saxony, I had spoken to him about the +Beethoven Symphonies, of which I have undertaken the arrangement, +or, more correctly speaking, the pianoforte score. To tell the +truth, this work has, nevertheless, cost me some trouble; whether +I am right or wrong, I think it sufficiently different from, not +to say superior to, those of the same kind which have hitherto +appeared. The recent publication of the same Symphonies, arranged +by Mr. Kalkbrenner, makes me anxious that mine should not remain +any longer in a portfolio. I intend also to finger them +carefully, which, in addition to the indication of the different +instruments (which is important in this kind of work), will most +certainly make this edition much more complete. If, then, as I +imagine, it is impossible for Mr. Hofmeister to publish them, I +shall be very grateful if you will undertake it. The reputation +of your house is European, and I perfectly remember having had +the pleasure of seeing Mr. Raymond Hartel in Paris. It will be a +pleasure to me to conclude this little business with you, at the +rate of eight francs a page. Up to the present time I have only +finished three Symphonies (that in A major), but I could promise +to let you have the others successively, according as you might +wish, or I could limit my work to the four most important +Symphonies (if I may express my opinion), namely, the Pastoral, C +minor, A major, and the Eroica. I think those are the ones which +are most effective on the piano. + +I start tomorrow for Vienna, where I expect to remain till the +end of April. Please address to me to the care of Mr. Tobias +Haslinger till the 25th of April, and after that to Mr. Ricordi, +Milan, who has undertaken to forward me all my letters while I am +in Italy. My compliments and affectionate thanks. + +F. Liszt + + + +13. To Robert Schumann + +[Addressed to the celebrated German Tone-poet (1810-1856). Liszt +had spoken of Schumann's Op. 5, 11, and 14 in the Gazette +Musicale, 1837, with equal enthusiasm and understanding, which +soon brought the two together.] + +[Without a date; received by R. S. May 5th, 1838.] + +My dear Monsieur Schumann, + +I shall not attempt to tell you how grateful and touched I am by +your friendly letter. Mademoiselle Wieck, whom I have been so +happy as to meet here, will express to you, better than I can, +all the sympathy, all the admiring affection I have for you. I +have been such a nomad latterly that the pieces you were kind +enough to address to me at Milan only reached me on the eve of my +departure from Venice about a fortnight ago; and since then we +have been talking so much of you, day and night, that it hardly +occurred to me to write to you. Today, however, to my great +astonishment, I get a fresh token of your friendly remembrance, +and I certainly will not delay thanking you many times for it, so +I have just left a charming party of very pretty women in order +to write these few lines to you. But the truth is you need hardly +thank me for this little sacrifice, for it is a great pleasure to +me to be able to have a little chat with you. + +The "Carneval" and the "Fantasiestucke" have interested me +excessively. I play them really with delight, and God knows that +I can't say as much of many things. To speak frankly and freely, +it is absolutely only Chopin's compositions and yours that have a +powerful interest for me. + +The rest do not deserve the honor of being mentioned...at least, +with a few exceptions,--to be conciliatory, like Eusebius. + +In six weeks to two months I shall send you my twelve Studies and +a half-dozen of "Fantasiestucke" ("Impressions et Poemes")--I +consider them less bad than others of my making. I shall be happy +to think that they do not displease you. + +May I confess to you that I was not very much struck with +Henselt's Studies, and that I found them not up to their +reputation? I don't know whether you share my opinion, but they +appear to me, on the whole, very careless. They are pretty to +listen to, they are very pretty to look at, the effect is +excellent, the edition (thanks to our friend Hofmeister) is most +carefully done; but, all counted, I question whether H. is +anything but a distinguished mediocrity. [How highly Liszt +thought, later on, of Henselt's Concerto and other of his +compositions is well known, and is spoken of in a subsequent +letter to Baroness Wrangel, in May, 1883.] For the rest, he is +very young, and will doubtless develop. Let us, at least, hope +so. + +I am extremely sorry that I cannot come and pay you a little +visit at Leipzig at present. It is one of my keenest desires to +make your personal acquaintance and to pass some days with you. +But as that is not possible now, let us, at least, try not to be +entirely separated, and let us combat, as far as we can, the +laziness about writing, which is, I think, equally in us both. + +In a fortnight I am returning to Venice. I shall be back in Milan +at the time of the coronation (towards the end of August). Next +winter I expect to pass in Rome, if the cholera or some other +plague does not stop it. I will not induce you to come to Italy. +Your sympathies would be too deeply wounded there. If they have +even heard that Beethoven and Weber ever existed, it is as much +as they have done. + +Will you not have what you have sent me printed? Haslinger would +have it gladly, I think, and it would be a great pleasure to me +to see my name associated with yours. + +If I might make a request, I would ask you to write some trios, +or a quintet or septet. It seems to me that you would do that +admirably, and for a long time nothing remarkable in that line +has been published. If ever you determine to do so, let me know +at once, as I should be anxious to have the honor of making them +known to the public. Adieu, my dear Monsieur Schumann; keep me +always in affectionate remembrance, and accept once more my warm +sympathy and devotion. + +F. Liszt + + + +14. To the "Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde" in Vienna + +[Society of Musical Dilettanti, or Amateur Musical Society. +Autograph in the Archives of the Society in Vienna] + +Gentlemen, + +I am extremely grateful for the honor you have done me in +admitting me among you as a member of the Vienna Musik-Verein +[Musical Union]. I cannot, unfortunately, flatter myself that I +have as yet deserved this distinction, but allow me to say that +it will not be my fault if I do not become worthy of it. + +If ever the occasion should offer in which I can be agreeable or +useful to the Society of the Musik-Verein, be assured that I +shall gladly avail myself of it, and that you will henceforth +have a claim on my gratitude and devotion. + +I have the honor to be, gentlemen, + +Yours faithfully, + +F. Liszt + +Venice, June 1st, 1838 + + + +15. To Simon Lowy in Vienna + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr O. A. Schulz, bookseller in +Leipzig.--Addressed to a Vienna banker, an intimate friend of +Liszt The "Soirees de Vienne," composed on Schubert Valses, are +dedicated to him.] + +I am very sensible, my dear sir, of your friendly remembrance. +Your kind letter found me in the midst of the official hurly- +burly of the coronation fetes. What business on earth had I to do +with such an affair? I have not the least idea. Thank Heaven we +are now at the end of it all, safe and sound, rejoicing, and +sated with amusement! + +I found at Milan a certain number of my Vienna connections. One +or two of the persons whom you will not mention to me (and whose +anonymity I respect) were also there. I know that a great many of +the people who approach me with a smile on their lips, and +protestations of friendship on their tongues, have nothing better +to do than to pull me to pieces as best they can as soon as they +are outside my door. It is, moreover, the fate of all the world. +I resign myself to it willingly, as I do to all the absurd and +odious necessities of this lower world. There is, besides, just +this much good in these sad experiences of various relations with +men--which is, that one learns to relish and appreciate better +the devotion of the few friends whom chance has thrown in your +path. + +In a few days from now I shall start for Bologna, Florence, and +Rome. In spite of all my desire to return to Vienna, where people +have been so kind and indulgent to me, I do not yet see when I +shall be able to get there. However this journey may be put off, +I hope, nevertheless, my dear sir, that you will continue till +then the affectionate feelings you so kindly entertain towards +me. Receive in return my assurances of consideration and +affectionate devotion. + +F. Liszt + +Milan, September 22nd, 1838 + +Will you be so good as to give the enclosed note to the charming +woman who is good enough to remember me so kindly? + + + +16. To M. Pacini, Music Publisher in Paris + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.] + +My Dear Monsieur Pacini, + +In two or three days at latest from now you will receive the +manuscript for which you asked me for the book of the Hundred and +One. [A collective work with contributions by celebrities of the +day.] Mr. Hugot has kindly undertaken to bring it to you. + +As the title implies, it is an Etude (di Bravura) after Paganini. +[Bravura Studies on Paganini's Capricci, arranged for the +pianoforte, brought out by Haslinger, Vienna, in 1839. A second, +newly arranged edition, dedicated to Clara Schumann, "Grandes +Etudes de Paganini," was brought out by Breitkopf and Hartel in +1851.] You will oblige me by recommending the engraver to engrave +it very spaciously. In addition, you had better, I think, reprint +directly afterwards this Etude facilitee, which I have also sent +you. This second arrangement is by M. Schumann, a young composer +of very great merit. It is more within the reach of the general +public, and also more exact than my paraphrase. + +Many apologies for having kept you waiting so long for such a +small thing, and kind remembrances to Emilien. + +Yours affectionately, + +F. Liszt + +Please send the corrected proofs of this study to Haslinger, +musical editor to the Court, at Graben, Vienna. + +I must have at least two corrected proofs. Prego! Prego!! [I +beg!] leave only such mistakes as are absolutely necessary in +order that an edition may be supposed to be correct. + +Padua, September 30th, 1838 + + + +17. To Breitkopf and Hartel. + +[This is the first of the Liszt letters extant in the archives of +the firm.] + +I am really grieved, gentlemen, at the trouble you have been good +enough to take about these unlucky Symphonies, and I hardly know +how to express my acknowledgments. As I have already had the +honor of telling you, Mr. Mori had been previously engaged to +publish these Symphonies, and, as the steps you have taken have +not been crowned with success, I will keep to this first +publisher, with whom I have every reason to be satisfied up to +now. + +You can then publish this work in two or three months from now. +[Pianoforte scores of the C minor and Pastoral Symphonies of +Beethoven.] Only it is essential that I should correct the last +proof, so that the edition may be absolutely correct. I also wish +to add the fingering to several passages, to make them easier for +amateurs. Be so good, therefore, as to send me, through the +Embassy (or by any other opportunity which is not too expensive), +two proofs to Rome, where I shall be in about twelve days, and +where I expect to remain till the middle of March. + +I hope, gentlemen, that you will not have cause to regret the +obliging advances that you have made to me in this matter, and +for which I am sincerely grateful to you. If you will be so good +as to add to the proofs of the Beethoven Symphonies such of the +songs of Beethoven (or Weber) as you would like me to transcribe +for piano solo, I will then give you a positive answer as to that +little work, which I shall be delighted to do for you, but to +which I cannot assent beforehand, not knowing of which songs you +are the proprietors. If "Leyer und Schwert" was published by you, +I will do that with pleasure. I think that these songs, or at any +rate four or five of them, would be rather satisfactory for the +piano. + +Accept, gentlemen, the expression of my high esteem. + +F. Liszt + +Florence, January 3rd, 1839 + + + +18. To Princess Christine Belgiojoso in Paris + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +Addressed to the celebrated writer and patriot. In 1837 a charity +concert took place in her salons, at which Liszt and Thalberg +both played.] + +It would be self-conceit in me, Princess, to complain of your +silence. Your letters have always been for me a favor, a charm. I +am not meaning to say that I have the slightest right to them. +Nevertheless, as you do not reply to me any more, I hope you will +at least permit me to tell you how very much I feel the very +slightest marks of your kindness, and what a price I set upon +your remembrance. + +Some numbers of the Gazette or Revue Musicale, which have +accidentally fallen into my hands at the house of one of my +Russian friends (for in this happy country of the Arts, and of +music in particular, you can well imagine that no one is foolish +enough to spend a thirty francs' subscription on the Revue +Musicale), have informed me that you had decidedly raised altar +for altar, and made your charming salon echo with magnificent +harmonies. I confess that this is perhaps the one regret of my +winter. I should so immensely have liked to be there to admire +you, to applaud you. Several people who had the honor of being +present at these choice evenings have spoken to me about them +with enthusiasm. + +What a contrast to the tiresome musical soliloquies (I do not +know what other name to give to this invention of mine) with +which I contrived to gratify the Romans, and which I am quite +capable of importing to Paris, so unbounded does my impudence +become! Imagine that, wearied with warfare, not being able to +compose a programme which would have common sense, I have +ventured to give a series of concerts all by myself, affecting +the Louis XIV. style, and saying cavalierly to the public, "The +concert is--myself." For the curiosity of the thing I copy one of +the programmes of the soliloquies for you:-- + +1. Overture to William Tell, performed by M. L. + +2. Reminiscences of the Puritani. Fantaisie composed and +performed by the above-mentioned! + +3. Etudes and fragments by the same to the same! + +4. Improvisation on themes given--still by the same. And that was +all; neither more nor less, except lively conversation during the +intervals, and enthusiasm if there was room for it. + +A propos of enthusiasm, I ought at least to talk to you of St. +Peter's. That is the proper thing to do when one writes from +Rome. But, in the first place, I am writing to you from Albano, +whence I can only discern the dome, and, secondly, this poor St. +Peter's has been so disguised, so embellished by papier-mache +wreaths, horrid curtains at alcoves, etc., etc., all in honor of +the five or six last saints whom His Holiness has canonised, that +I try to put away the recollection of it. Happily there have not +been any workers of miracles to glorify at the Coliseum and the +Campo Vaccino, otherwise it would have been impossible to live in +Rome. + +If nothing occurs to prevent it, I expect to pass the end of next +winter (March and April) in Paris. Will you permit me then to +fill up all the gaps in my correspondence from the Rue d'Anjou? +[Here the Princess lived.] I count always upon your friendly and +indulgent kindness. But shall you extend this so far as to give +me a sign of life before the close of my stay in Italy? I do not +know. In any case, letters addressed poste restante, Florence, +will reach me till the 1st of next September. + +I beg you, Madame la Princesse, to accept the expression of my +profound and most devoted respect. + +F. Liszt + +Albano, June 4th, 1839 + +Will you be good enough to remember me affectionately to (Madame) +your sister and to Mr. d'Aragon? + + + +19. To Robert Schumann + +[From a copy from the Royal Library in Berlin.] + +Albano, June 5th, 1839 + +My dear Monsieur Schumann, + +At the risk of appearing very monotonous, I must again tell you +that the last pieces you were so kind as to send me to Rome +appear to me admirable both in inspiration and composition. The +"Fantaisie" dedicated to me is a work of the highest kind--and I +am really proud of the honor you have done me in dedicating to me +so grand a composition. + +Op. 17, C dur. With the motto:-- + +"Durch alle Tone tonet +Im bunten Erdentraum +Ein leiser Ton gezogen +Fur den, der heimlich lauschet." + +("Through all the sounds of nature, +In earth's fair dream of joy, +An under-current soundeth +For him whose ears can hear."] + +I mean, therefore, to work at it and penetrate it through and +through, so as to make the utmost possible effect with it. + +As to the "Kinderscenen," I owe to them one of the greatest +pleasures of my life. You know, or you don't know, that I have a +little girl of three years old, whom everybody agrees in +considering angelic (did you ever hear such a commonplace?). Her +name is Blandine-Rachel, and her surname Moucheron. [Pet name; +literally, "little fly."] It goes without saying that she has a +complexion of roses and milk, and that her fair golden hair +reaches to her feet just like a savage. She is, however, the most +silent child, the most sweetly grave, the most philosophically +gay in the world. I have every reason to hope also that she will +not be a musician, from which may Heaven preserve her! + +Well, my dear Monsieur Schumann, two or three times a week (on +fine and good days!) I play your "Kinderscenen" to her in the +evening; this enchants her, and me still more, as you may +imagine, so that often I go over the first repeat twenty times +without going any further. Really I think you would be satisfied +with this success if you could be a witness of it! + +I think I have already expressed to you, in one of my former +letters, the desire I felt to see you write some ensemble pieces, +Trios, Quintets, or Septets. Will you pardon me for pressing this +point again? It seems to me that you would be more capable of +doing it than any one else nowadays. And I am convinced that +success, even commercial success, would not be wanting. + +If between now and next winter you could complete some ensemble +work, it would be a real pleasure to me to make it known in +Paris, where that sort of composition, when well played, has more +chance of success than you perhaps think. I would even gladly +undertake to find a publisher for it, if you liked, which would +moreover in no wise prevent you from disposing of it for Germany. + +In the interim I mean to play in public your "Carnaval," and some +of the "Davidsbundlertanze" and of the "Kinderscenen." The +"Kreisleriana," and the "Fantaisie" which is dedicated to me, are +more difficult of digestion for the public. I shall reserve them +till later. + +Up to the present time I only know the following works of +yours:-- + +Impromptus on a theme by Clara Wieck. +Pianoforte Sonata, dedicated to Clara. +Concerto without orchestra. +"Etudes Symphoniques" +"Davidsbundlertanze" +"Kreisleriana." +"Carnaval." +"Kinderscenen" and my "Fantaisie." + +If you would have the kindness to complete your works to me it +would be a great pleasure to me; I should like to have them bound +all together in three or four volumes. Haslinger, on his side, +will send you my Etudes and my other publications as they come +out. + +What you tell me of your private life has interested and touched +me deeply. If I could, I know not how, be in the least pleasant +or useful to you in these circumstances, dispose of me as you +will. Whatever happens, count on my absolute discretion and +sincere devotion. If I am not asking too much, tell me if it is +Clara of whom you speak. But if this question should seem to you +misplaced, do not answer it. + +Have you met at Leipzig Mr. Frank, [Dr. Hermann Frank edited +Brockhaus' Allgemeine Zeitung for a year.] at the present moment +editor of the Leipzig Allgemeine Zeitung? From the little I know +of him (for he has been much more intimate with Chopin and Hiller +than with me) I think he is capable of understanding you. He has +left a charming impression behind him in Rome. If you see him, +give him my affectionate regards. + +My plans remain the same. I still intend to be in Vienna at the +beginning of December, and in Paris at the end of February. I +shall be capable of coming to look you up in Leipzig if you will +let me make the journey from Paris with you. Try! Adieu, my dear +Monsieur Schumann; write soon (address care of Ricordi, Florence: +I shall be in the neighborhood of Lucca till the middle of +September), and depend always on my sincere esteem and lively +affection. + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + + + +20. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +[Milan, June, 1839] + +Gentleman, + +About three weeks ago I gave to Mr. Ricordi (who was on his way +to Rome) the proofs of the two Symphonies you addressed to me. I +hope they have reached you by now. Forgive me for having kept +them so long, and also for having corrected them with so much +care. But, firstly, they did not reach me till about the 20th of +February, and then I did not know how to send them to you direct, +for the diligences in this happy country are so insecure. I am +therefore of necessity (though very unwillingly) behindhand. + +Allow me to ask you for a second proof (for it is of great +consequence to me that the edition should be as correct as +possible), and this time I will beg you to send me three proofs +of each Symphony, so that I may forward one to Paris and the +other to London. Probably there will not be any more corrections +to make in this second proof, and in that case I will let you +know in two words (without returning your proof), telling you at +the same time the date of publication. + +My intention being to visit Vienna, Munich, and perhaps Leipzig +at the beginning of next year (before going to England in the +month of April), I shall take advantage of this opportunity to +let the Symphonies be heard at my concerts, so as to give them a +certain publicity. + +I have looked through the Lieder you have been good enough to +send me. I shall certainly do the "Adelaide," however difficult +it may seem to me to transcribe simply and elegantly. As regards +the others, I am afraid I cannot find the necessary time. +Moreover, that good Haslinger overwhelms me with Schubert. I have +just sent him twenty-four more new songs ("Schwanengesang" and +"Winterreise"), and for the moment I am rather tired with this +work. + +Would you be so kind as to send me, at the same time with the +proofs of the Beethoven Symphonies, Mr. Mendelssohn's "Preludes +and Fugues"? It is an extremely remarkable work, and it has been +impossible to get it in Italy. I shall be greatly obliged if you +will send it me. + +When you see Mr. Schumann please remember me very kindly to him. +I have received the "Fantaisie" which he has done me the honor to +dedicate to me, and the "Kinderscenen." Don't you think you ought +to publish a book of Studies by him? I should be extremely +curious to make acquaintance with them. All his works interest me +in a high degree. It would be difficult for me to say as much of +many of the compositions of my respected colleagues, with some +exceptions. + +I beg to remain, Gentlemen, + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Address the Symphonies to Mr. Ricordi, Florence. From the 15th of +June till the 1st of September I shall be in the neighborhood of +Lucca. Ricordi's address is the safest. + + + +21. To the Beethoven Committee at Bonn + +[Printed in L. Ramann's Biography of Liszt, vol. 1] + +Gentlemen, + +As the subscription for Beethoven's monument is only getting on +slowly, and as the carrying out of this undertaking seems to be +rather far distant, I venture to make a proposal to you, the +acceptance of which would make me very happy. [In Bonn, +Beethoven's birthplace, a committee had been formed to erect a +Beethoven monument. Yet, in spite of the assent which met the +proposal, the contributions flowed in so meagrely--Paris, for +example, contributed only 424 francs 90 centimes--that Liszt, on +reading this in a paper, immediately formed the noble resolution +mentioned in the above letter. "Such a niggardly almsgiving, got +together with such trouble and sending round the hat, must not be +allowed to help towards building our Beethoven's monument!" he +wrote to Berlioz. Thus the German nation has in great measure to +thank Franz Liszt for the monument erected to its greatest +composer at Bonn.] + +I offer myself to make up, from my own means, the sum still +wanting for the erection of the monument, and ask no other +privilege than that of naming the artist who shall execute the +work. That artist is Bartolini of Florence, who is universally +considered the first sculptor in Italy. + +I have spoken to him about the matter provisionally, and he +assures me that a monument in marble (which would cost about +fifty to sixty thousand francs) could be finished in two years, +and he is ready to begin the work at once. I have the honor to +be, etc., + +Franz Liszt + +Pisa, October 3rd, 1839 + + + +22. To Count Leo Festetics in Pest + +[Printed in F. von Schober's "Letters about Liszt's Sojourn in +Hungary."] + +Dear Count, + +Shall you like to have me again at Pest this year? I know not. In +any case you are threatened with my presence from the 18th to the +22nd of next December. I shall come to you a little older, a +little more matured, and, permit me to say, more finished an +artist, than I was when you saw me last year, for since that time +I have worked enormously in Italy. I hope you have kept me in +remembrance, and that I may always count on your friendship, +which is dear to me. + +What joy, what an immense happiness it will be to be once more in +my own country, to feel myself surrounded by such noble and +vigorous sympathies, which, thank God, I have done nothing to +forfeit in my distant and wandering life. What feelings, what +emotions will then fill my breast! All this, dear Count, I will +not attempt to express to you, for in truth I should not know +how. Let it suffice you to know that the love of my country, of +my chivalrous and grand country, has ever lived most deeply in my +heart; and that, if unhappily it does not seem likely that I can +ever show to my country what a love and devotion I feel for it, +the sentiments will remain none the less unchanged in my heart. + +But I will not tire you any longer with myself and my sentiments. + +I forgot to tell you that for nearly a week I have been confined +to my bed with a very severe fever, which might easily have +become more serious still. My second concert was obliged to be +put off on account of it. Today my doctor has given me permission +to play on Wednesday. I don't really know whether I shall be able +to do it, for my hand trembles fearfully. Excuse this horrible +writing, but I did want to send you a few words. It is a sort of +anticipation of Pest, which is sweet to me. + +A revoir then very soon, dear Count; meanwhile believe me, as +ever, yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +November 24th, 1839, in bed + + + +23. To Clara Wieck + +[The great pianist, afterwards Schumann's wife.] + +Pest, December 25th, 1839 + +How grateful I am, Mademoiselle, for the kind remembrance you +keep of me! And how much I am already rejoicing at the thought of +seeing you and hearing you again soon in Leipzig! I was so vexed +not to be in Paris last winter when I knew you were going to +spend some time there. Perhaps I should have been able to be of +some little use to you there. You know that, at all times and in +every country, I shall always be at your service. I should become +too lengthy if I allowed myself to reply in detail to your kind +questions about my new compositions. I worked immensely hard in +Italy. Without exaggeration I think I have written four to five +hundred pages of pianoforte music. If you have patience to hear +half a quarter of them I shall be delighted to play them to you, +so so. + +The "Studies after Paganini," which are dedicated to you, will +only appear in two months' time; but I will bring you the proofs, +which have long been corrected, to Leipzig. + +Once more many thanks, and many tender and respectful wishes for +everything that can contribute to your happiness. And above all a +bientot. + +Yours in admiration and sympathy, + +F. Liszt + + + +24. To Robert Schumann in Leipzig + +[Autograph in the Royal Library in Berlin.] + +Dresden, March 27th, 1840 + +My dear Schumann, + +It is all splendid. Only I should prefer to play the "Hexameron" +last, so as to finish with orchestra. Please, therefore, have the +"Etudes" and the "Carnaval" put after the Mendelssohn Concerto! +[Refers to Liszt's third concert in Leipzig, on March 30th, 1840, +for the benefit of the Orchestral Pension Fund.] + +Best remembrances to Mendelssohn and Hiller; and believe me yours +ever, + +F. Liszt + +I shall certainly return Monday morning, for on Sunday I am +giving a concert for the poor here. But if it should de possible +for me to come on Sunday...but I doubt it. [Together with this +letter a friend, Carl K[ragen?], writes to Schumann: "He [Liszt] +has played me the glorious Mendelssohn Concerto. It was divine! +Tomorrow Tieck is to read Faust for Liszt at my mother's house, +and Liszt is to play at our house with Lipinski!, Do come for it! +Ah, if you could only induce Mendelssohn and his wife to come +too!"] + + + +25. To Franz von Schober in Vienna + +[The autographs of all the letters in this collection to Schober +are in the possession of Fran Babette Wolf at Dresden.-Addressed +to the poet and writer, an intimate and worthy friend of Franz +Schubert. He became Councillor of Legation to Weimar, and died at +Dresden in 1882.] + +Metz, April 3rd, 1840 + +I did not get any news from you at Leipzig, dear Schober, as I +expected. I am afraid I was very indiscreet in asking you to be +so good as to undertake this work, which I should have valued so +much, coming from you. [In answer to the distorted reports in +various newspapers of Liszt's visit to Hungary (January, 1840), +Schober, who had been an eyewitness, thought it right to clear up +the misrepresentations, which he did in the form of "Letters +about Liszt's Sojourn in Hungary"; these he published, but much +later (Berlin, Schlesinger, 1843)] But I will not speak of it any +more. If by any chance you have already done it I should be +grateful to you to send it me--otherwise we will not speak of it +any more. + +Do you know that I have been pursued by one constant regret +during my journey, the regret not to have induced you to +accompany me? Your society has always been beneficial and +strengthening to me: I do not know why, but I imagine that we +should live smoothly together. Your qualities, your faults (if +you have any), your character and temper, all please me and +attach me to you. You know that I flatter myself I can understand +and appreciate you...Should you see any great difficulty in +joining me somewhere next autumn-at Venice, for example--and in +making a European tour with me? Answer me frankly on this matter. +And once more, the question of money need not be considered. As +long as we are together (and I should like you to have at least +three free years before you) my purse will be yours, on the sole +condition that you consent to undertake the management of our +expenses,--and that you are thoroughly convinced beforehand of +the gratitude I shall feel towards you. + +Excuse me, my dear good friend, for entering so plainly into +matters, but we have talked together too openly, it seems to me, +for it to be possible that your delicate feeling on certain +points should be wounded by this. + +I have sent back Kiss, of Dresden. He is a good fellow, but a +little awkward, and wanting in a certain point of honor, without +which a man is not a man as I understand the word. So I am alone +now, and am not going to have any one tacked on to me. A former +pupil of mine, Monsieur Hermann, has undertaken to arrange my +concerts, which is a great relief to me. A propos of concerts, I +gave six (in nine days!) at Prague, three at Dresden, and the +same number at Leipzig (in twelve days)--so I am perfectly tired +out, and feel great need of rest. That was good, wasn't it? +Adieu, my dear good friend-let me hear from you soon (address 19, +Rue Pigalle, Paris), and depend entirely upon me--nunc et semper. + +Yours ever sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Will you be so good as to go to Diabelli's [Music publisher in +Vienna] when you pass by, and advise him again not to publish the +third part of the Hungarian Melodies (which I sent him by Hartel) +without first sending me a proof to Paris to correct. Adieu. + +Best remembrances to Kriehuber [A well-known Vienna painter and +lithographer, from whom a number of Liszt portraits have come.] +and Lowy. Why does not the latter write to me? + + + +26. To Maurice Schlesinger, Editor of the Gazette Musicale in +Paris + +[Given by L. Ramann, "Franz Liszt," vol. ii., i.] + +Sir, + +Allow me to protest against an inexact assertion in your last +number but one:-- + +"Messieurs Liszt and Cramer have asked for the Legion of Honor," +etc. + +I do not know if M. Cramer (who has just been nominated) has +obtained the cross. + +In any case I think that you, like every one else, will approve +of a nomination so perfectly legitimate. + +As to myself, if it be true that my name has figured in the list +of candidates, this can only have occurred entirely without my +knowledge. It has always seemed to me that distinctions of this +sort could only be accepted, but never "asked for." + +I am, sir, etc., + +F. Liszt + +London, May 14th, 1840 + + + +27. To Franz von Schober + +[London, May or June, 1840] + +My worthy friend, + +A fortnight ago my mother wrote me word that she had given +several letters, which had come for me from Germany, to a +gentleman who was to bring them to me to London. I suppose there +was one from you among the number, but up to now I have not +received anything. + +Allow me to repeat once more the request, which I have already +made to you, to come for some time with me (a year or two, and +more if you can); for I feel deeply that, the more we are +separated by time and space, the more my thoughts and my heart go +out to you. I have rarely felt this so strongly, and my wish to +feel you settled with me grows daily stronger. + +Moreover the persuasion that I feel that we should pass a happy +and serious life together, makes me again press you further. + +Try then to be at liberty as soon as possible, and once for all +make a frank and friendly resolve. I assure you that it will not +be difficult to ameliorate, by each other, our two lives, which +in their different ways are sad and bad thus separated. + +Let me have two words in reply on this point--which, to tell the +truth, is the only important one for us both at this moment. +Speak quite freely to me, and depend on me thoroughly. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Address care of Erard, 18, Great Marlborough Street. + +Need I again assure you that any question will not be a question +between us? + + + +28. To Franz von Schober + +Stonehenge, Salisbury, August 29th, 1840 + +It is with an unspeakable feeling of sadness and vexation that I +write to you today, my dear good friend! Your letter had done me +so much good; I was so happy at the thought of our meeting at the +end of the autumn at latest; I wanted so to feel that I could +rest on your arm, and that your heart, so full of kindness and +brotherly help, was near me,--and, lo and behold! I am obliged to +give it up, or at least to put it off... + +An unfortunate engagement which I have just renewed, and which +will keep me in England till the end of January, makes it +impossible for me to say to you the one word which I wish to say, +"Come!"-- + +England is not like any other country; the expenses are enormous. +I really dare not ask you to travel with me here, for it would +almost ruin us. Moreover we should hardly be able to be together, +for I have three or four compulsory companions, from whom it is +impossible for me to separate. I hoped to have done with all that +by the beginning of October, but now I have to begin again in the +middle of November. If I have time to make my journey to Russia +this year it will be the utmost I can do, but it is a journey +that I am in a way obliged to make after the gracious invitation +of Her Majesty the Empress at Ems. On the 15th of next May I +return again to London, probably by the steamer coming direct +from St. Petersburg. + +Where shall I find you in a year--fifteen months? It is very +possible that I shall come and look for you in Vienna, but then I +shall assuredly not leave without taking you with me. + +I have some thoughts of spending the following winter at +Constantinople. I am tired of the West; I want to breathe +perfumes, to bask in the sun, to exchange the smoke of coal for +the sweet smoke of the narghileh [Turkish pipe]. In short, I am +pining for the East! O my morning land! O my Aborniko!-- + +My uncle writes that you have been very good and obliging to him. +I thank you warmly.--Do you meet Castelli from time to time? When +you see him beg him from me to translate the article I published +in the Paris "Revue Musicale" (of August 23rd) on Paganini, and +to get it put into the "Theater-Zeitung". I should be very glad +also if it could be translated into Hungarian, for the Hirnok +(excuse me if I make a mess of the word!), but I do not know who +could do it. + +A propos of Hungarian! I shall always value highly the work on my +sojourn in Pest. Send it me as soon as you possibly can, and +address it to Madame la Comtesse d'Agoult, 10, Rue Neuve des +Mathurins, Paris. Most affectionate remembrances to Kriehuber. +His two portraits of me have been copied in London. They are +without doubt the best. + +Adieu, my dear excellent Schober. In my next letter I shall ask +you about a matter of some consequence. It is about a Cantata for +Beethoven, which I should like to set to music and to have it +given at the great Festival which we expect to organize in 1842 +for the inauguration of the Statue at Bonn. + +Yours ever most affectionately, + +F. Liszt + + + +29. To Buloz + +[Published in Ramann's "Franz Liszt," vol. ii., I.] + +Editor of the Revue des Deux Mondes. + +Sir, + +In your Revue Musicale for October last my name was mixed up with +the outrageous pretensions and exaggerated success of some +executant artists; I take the liberty to address a few remarks to +you on this subject. [The enthusiastic demonstrations which had +been made to him in Hungary, his native land, had been put into a +category with the homage paid to singers and dancers, and the +bestowal of the sabre had been turned into special ridicule. +Liszt repelled this with justifiable pride.] + +The wreaths thrown at the feet of Mesdemoiselles Elssler and +Pixis by the amateurs of New York and Palermo are striking +manifestations of the enthusiasm of a public; the sabre which was +given to me at Pest is a reward given by a NATION in an entirely +national form. In Hungary, sir, in that country of antique and +chivalrous manners, the sabre has a patriotic signification. It +is the special token of manhood; it is the weapon of every man +who has a right to carry a weapon. When six of the chief men of +note in my country presented me with it among the general +acclamations of my compatriots, whilst at the same moment the +towns of Pest and Oedenburg conferred upon me the freedom of the +city, and the civic authorities of Pest asked His Majesty for +letters of nobility for me, it was an act to acknowledge me +afresh as a Hungarian, after an absence of fifteen years; it was +a reward of some slight services rendered to Art in my country; +it was especially, and so I felt it, to unite me gloriously to +her by imposing on me serious duties, and obligations for life as +man and as artist. + +I agree with you, sir, that it was, without doubt, going far +beyond my deserts up to the present time. Therefore I saw in that +solemnity the expression of a hope far more than of a +satisfaction. Hungary hailed in me the man from whom she expects +artistic illustriousness, after all the illustrious soldiers and +politicians she has so plentifully produced. As a child I +received from my country precious tokens of interest, and the +means of going abroad to develop my artistic vocation. When grown +up, and after long years, the young man returns to bring her the +fruits of his work and the future of his will, the enthusiasm of +the hearts which open to receive him and the expression of a +national joy must not be confounded with the frantic +demonstrations of an audience of amateurs. + +In placing these two things side by side it seems tome there is +something which must wound a just national pride and sympathies +by which I am honored. + +Be so kind as to insert these few lines in your next issue, and +believe me, sir, + +Yours obediently, + +Franz Liszt + +Hamburg, October 26th, 1840 + + + +30. To Franz von Schober + +I will write German to you, dear Schober, in order to tell you +all the quicker how much your letter pleased me. I have to thank +it for a really happy hour; and that comes so rarely in my +intolerable, monotonous life! For a fortnight past I have again +put my neck into the English yoke. Every day which God gives--a +concert, with a journey, previously, of thirty to fifty miles. +And so it must continue at least till the end of January. What do +you say to that?-- + +If I am not more than half-dead, I must still go at the end of +February to Berlin and Petersburg,--and come back to London by +the first steamer at the beginning of May. Then I think I shall +take a rest. Where and how I do not yet know, and it depends +entirely upon the Pecuniary results of my journeys. I should like +to go to Switzerland, and thence to Venice, but I can't yet say +anything definite. + +.--. I have today written a long letter to Leo Festetics. I am +hungering and thirsting to go back to Hungary. Every recollection +of it has taken deep root in my soul...And yet I cannot go back! + +I am grieved that you can tell me nothing better of Lannoy. I +cannot understand how that is possible. The news of the Queen has +given me great pleasure--if you hear anything more about her let +me know. I have a kind of weakness for her. + +About the Cantata I will write to you fully later. + +Farewell, and be happy if possible, dear Schober; write again +soon, and remain ever my friend. + +F. L. + +Excuse the spelling and writing of these lines! You know that I +never write German; Tobias [Tobias Haslinger, the Vienna music +publisher.] is, I think, the only one who gets German letters +from me. + +Manchester, December 5th, 1840 + + + +31. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +London, May 7th, 1841 + +Schlesinger has just told me that Mendelssohn's Melodies which I +sent you from London have come out. I can't tell you, my dear Mr. +Hartel, how much I am put out by this precipitate publication. +Independently of the material wrong it does me (for before +sending them to you these Melodies were sold in London and +Paris), I am thus unable to keep my word to Beale and Richault, +who expected to publish them simultaneously with you. + +The evil being irremediable I have only thought how to get a +prompt vengeance out of it. You will tell me later on if you +think it was really a Christian vengeance. + +The matter is this: I have just added a tremendous cadenza, three +pages long, in small notes, and anentire Coda, almost as long, to +Beethoven's "Adelaide". I played it all without being hissed at +the concert given at the Paris Conservatoire for the Beethoven +Monument, and I intend to play it in London, and in Germany and +Russia. Schlesinger has printed all this medley, such as it is. +Will you do the same? In that case, as I care chiefly for your +edition, I will beg you to have the last Coda printed in small +notes as an Ossia, without taking away anything from the present +edition, so that the purists can play the integral text only, if +the commentary is displeasing to them. + +It was certainly a very delicate matter to touch "Adelaide", and +yet it seemed to me necessary to venture. Have I done it with +propriety and taste? Competent judges will decide. + +In any case I beg you not to let any one but Mr. Schumann look +over your edition. + +In conclusion allow me to remind you that I was rather badly paid +for "Adelaide" formerly, and if you should think proper to send +me a draft on a London bank, fair towards you and myself, I shall +always receive it with a "new pleasure"--to quote the favorite +words of His Majesty the King of the French. + +With kind regards, believe me, my dear sir, yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Be so kind as to remember me very affectionately to Mendelssohn. +As for Schumann, I shall write to him direct very shortly. + + + +32. To Simon Lowy In Vienna + +[Autograph in the possession of Madame Emilie Dore in Vienna.] + +London, May 20th, 1841 + +I am still writing to you from England, my dear friend. Since my +last letter (end of December, I think) I have completed my tour +of the three kingdoms (by which I lose, by the way, 1000 pounds +sterling net, on 1500 pounds which my engagement brought me!), +have ploughed my way through Belgium, with which I have every +reason to be satisfied, and have sauntered about in Paris for six +weeks. This latter, I don't hide it from you, has been a real +satisfaction to my self-love. On arriving there I compared myself +(pretty reasonably, it seems to me) to a man playing ecarte for +the fifth point. Well, I have had king and vole,--seven points +rather than five! [The "fifth" is the highest in this game, so +Liszt means that he won.] + +My two concerts alone, and especially the third, at the +Conservatoire, for the Beethoven Monument, are concerts out of +the ordinary run, such as I only can give in Europe at the +present moment. + +The accounts in the papers can only have given you a very +incomplete idea. Without self-conceit or any illusion, I think I +may say that never has so striking an effect, so complete and so +irresistible, been produced by an instrumentalist in Paris. + +A propos of newspapers, I am sending you, following this, the +article which Fetis (formerly my most redoubtable antagonist) has +just published in the "Gazette Musicale". It is written very +cleverly, and summarises the question well. If Fischhof [A +musician, a Professor at the Vienna Conservatorium.] translated +it for Bauerle [Editor of the Theater-Zeitung (Theatrical +Times).] it would make a good effect, I fancy. However, do what +you like with it. + +I shall certainly be on the Rhine towards the end of July, and +shall remain in that neighborhood till September. If Fischhof +came there I should be delighted to see him and have a talk with +him. Till then give him my most affectionate compliments, and +tell him to write me a few lines before he starts. + +In November I shall start for Berlin, and shall pass the whole of +next winter in Russia. + +Haslinger's behaviour to me is more than inexcusable. The dear +man is doing a stupidity of which he will repent soon. Never +mind; I will not forget how devoted he was to me during my first +stay in Vienna. + +Would you believe that he has not sent me a word in reply to four +consecutive letters I have written to him? If you pass by Graben +will you be so kind as to tell him that I shall not write to him +any more, but that I expect from him, as an honest man of +business, if not as a friend, a line to tell me the fate of two +manuscripts ("Hongroises," and "Canzone Veneziane") which I sent +him. + +I have just discovered a new mine of "Fantaisies"--and I am +working it hard. "Norma," "Don Juan," "Sonnambula," "Maometto," +and "Moise" heaped one on the top of the other, and "Freischutz" +and "Robert le Diable" are pieces of 96, and even of 200, like +the old canons of the Republic of Geneva, I think. When I have +positively finished my European tour I shall come and play them +to you in Vienna, and however tired they may be there of having +applauded me so much, I still feel the power to move this public, +so intelligent and so thoroughly appreciative,--a public which I +have always considered as the born judge of a pianist. + +Adieu, my dear Lowy--write soon, and address, till June 15th, at +18, Great Marlborough Street, and after that Paris. + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Is the Ungher [Caroline Ungher, afterwards Ungher-Sabatier, a +celebrated singer.] at Vienna? Will you kindly give or send to +her the letter which follows? + +Have you, yes or no, sent off the two amber pieces which I gave +you at the time of my departure? I have been to fetch them from +the Embassy, but they were not there. Let me have two words in +reply about this. + + + +33. To Franz von Schober + +Truly, dear friend, I should like pages, days, years, to answer +your dear letter. Seldom has anything touched me so deeply. Take +heart for heart, and soul for soul,--and let us be for ever +friends. + +You know how I am daily getting more concise; therefore nothing +further about myself, nothing further about Berlin. Tomorrow, +Thursday, at 2 o'clock, I start for Petersburg. + +I have spoken to A. It is impossible on both sides. When we meet +and you are perfectly calm, we will go into details. I still hope +to meet you next autumn, either in Florence or on the Rhine. + +Leo [Count Festetics] has written to me again. Write to me at +once to Konigsberg, to tell me where to address my next letter to +you. But write directly-simply your address. + +I have sent all the proofs of your pamphlet to Brockhaus. Be so +good as to give him direct your final orders in regard to this +publication. I shall be so pleased to have some copies of it +while I am in Petersburg. The subject is very congenial to +me; I thank you once more most warmly for it. + +One more shake of the hand in Germany, dearest friend, and in +heartfelt love yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Remember me kindly to Sabatier, [The husband of Caroline Ungher, +the celebrated singer previously mentioned.] and don't quarrel +with him about me. To Caroline always the same friendship and +devotion. + +Berlin, March 3rd, 1842. + + + +34. To the faculty of philosophy at the university of Konigsberg. + +[Printed in L. Ramann's "Franz Liszt," vol. ii., I.] + +Much Esteemed and Learned Gentlemen, + +It is in vain for me to attempt to express to you the deep and +heartfelt emotion you have aroused in me by your rare mark of +honor. The dignity of Doctor, granted by a Faculty in which, as +in yours, men of European celebrity assemble, makes me happy, and +would make me proud, were I not also convinced of the sense in +which it is granted to me. + +I repeat that, with the honorable name of Teacher of Music (and I +refer to music in its grand, complete, and ancient +signification), by which you, esteemed gentlemen, dignify me, I +am well aware that I have undertaken the duty of unceasing +learning and untiring labour. + +In the constant fulfillment of this duty-to maintain the dignity +of Doctor in a right and worthy manner, by propagating in word +and deed the little portion of knowledge and technical skill +which I can call my own, as a form of, and a means to, the True +["The beautiful is the glory of the true, Art is the radiancy of +thought." (Author's note.)] and the Divine-- + +In the constant fulfillment of this duty, and in any results +which are granted to me, the remembrance of your good wishes, and +of the touching manner in which a distinguished member of your +Faculty [Professors Rosenkranz and Jacobi invested Liszt with the +Doctor's Diploma.] has informed me of them, will be a living +support to me. + +Accept, gentlemen, the expression of my highest esteem and +respect. + +F. Liszt + +Mittau, March 18th, 1842 + + + +35. To Court-Marshal Freiherr von Spiegel at Weimar + +[Given by L. Ramann, "Franz Liszt," vol. ii., 1.] + +Monsieur le Baron, + +It is very difficult to reply to so gracefully flattering a +letter as your Excellency has been good enough to write to me. + +I must nevertheless say that I wish with all my heart and in all +ways that I could answer it. I shall reach Weimar, bag and +baggage, towards the middle of October, and if I succeed in +communicating to others a little of the satisfaction I cannot +fail to find there, thanks to the gracious kindness of their +Highnesses and the friendly readiness of your Excellency, I shall +be only too glad. + +Meanwhile I beg to remain, Monsieur le Baron, with respectful +compliments, + +Yours obediently, + +Cologne; September 12th, 1862. F. Liszt + + + +36. To Carl Filitsch. + +[Autograph in the possession of Count Albert Amadei in Vienna.-- +Addressed to the talented young pianist, born at Hermannstadt in +the Siebenburgen in 1830, died at Venice 1845, studied with +Chopin and Liszt in Paris in 1842-43, and created a sensation +with his concerts both there and in London, Vienna, and Italy. +According to Lenz, Liszt said of him, "When the youngster goes +travelling I shall shut up shop!"] + +Compiegne, Wednesday Morning [1842 or 1843]. + +Dearly beloved conjurer, + +How sorry I am to disappoint [Literally. "to make a false skip," +a play-of-words with the next sentence.] you of our usual lesson +tomorrow! Your "false skips" would be a great deal pleasanter to +me! but, unless we could manage to put you where we could hear +you from the towers of Notre Dame to the Cathedral of Cologne, +there is a material impossibility in continuing our sort of +lessons, considering that by tomorrow evening I shall already be +at Cologne. + +If I return, or when I return--I really don't know. Whatever +happens, keep a little corner of remembrance of me, and believe +me ever yours affectionately, + +F. Liszt + +Affectionate remembrances to your brother Joseph. Farewell again. +I embrace you affectionately. + + + +37. To Franz von Schober in Paris + +Berlin, March 4th, 1844 + +You are a dear, faithful friend, and I thank you with all my +heart for your kind letter. God reward you for your love to such +a jaded, worn-out creature as I am! I can only assure you that I +feel it deeply and gratefully, and that your words soothe many +spasmodic annoyances. + +At the end of this month we shall certainly see each other in +Paris. Villers [Alexander von Villers, a friend of Liszt's, +attache of the Saxon Embassy in Vienna.] is coming also. In case +Seydlitz is still there make my excuses to him, and tell him +that, owing to my delay at Dresden, I only got his letter +yesterday. I will answer him immediately, and will address to +Lefebre, as he tells me to do. I have had several conferences +with the H[ereditary] G[rand] D[uke] and Eckermann. [The editor +of Goethe's "Gesprachen"] Our business seems to me to stand on a +firm footing. Next autumn the knots will be ready to tie. [Refers +probably to Schober's subsequent appointment at Weimar.] + +My room is too full. I have got a tremendous fit of Byron on. Be +indulgent and kind as ever! + +Remember me to the Sabatiers, and stick to me! Yours most +affectionately, + +F. Liszt + + + +38. To Franz Kroll + +[Pupil and friend of Liszt's (1820-1877); since 1849 settled in +Berlin as a pianoforte teacher; rendered great service by his +edition of Bach's "Das wohltemperirte Clavier."] + +My dear good Kroll, + +What a first-rate man you are to me, and what pleasure your +letter has given me! Probably you already know that I also have +been figuring as an invalid these last five weeks.--God be +thanked and praised that I am already pretty fairly on my legs +again, without rheumatism in the joints or gout! In a few days I +shall begin my provincial tour (Lyons, Marseilles, Toulouse, +Bordeaux), and then towards the end of August by steamer to +Stockholm and Copenhagen. Weymar, our good, dear Weymar, will +again be our Christmas Day! Oh what beautiful apples and trifles +we will hang on our Christmas tree! and what talks and +compositions, and projects and plans! Only don't you disappoint +me, and mind you come fresh and well. Leave the bad looks to me, +and see that you fill out your cheeks properly. This winter we +must be industrious, and struggle through much work. + +Your Mazurkas are most excellent and talented. You have put a +great deal into them--and, if you will allow me to speak quite +freely--perhaps too much into them, for much of it halts. +Although the dedication to me is both pleasing and gratifying, I +cannot help thinking that it would be to your interest not to +publish anything before next spring. Take advantage of being as +yet unknown, and give to the public from the beginning a proper +opinion of your talent by a collective publication. Write a +couple of pleasing, brilliant Studies--perhaps also a Notturno +(or something of that sort), and an effective Fantasia on some +conspicuous theme. Then let Schlesinger, Hartel, or Mechetti (to +whom I will most gladly speak about your works beforehand) +publish the six pieces--your Concerto and the C major Study, +together with the later pieces--all together, so that publisher, +critic, artist, and public all have to do with them at the same +time. Instead of dishing up one little sweetmeat for the people, +give them a proper dinner. I am very sorry I did not follow this +plan myself; for, after much experience, I consider it far the +best, especially for pianoforte works. In Weymar we will talk +more fully and definitely about this. Conradi [Musician and +friend in Berlin] is also to come. I don't require the Huguenot +Fantasia at present. He will have time enough for it in Weymar. +En attendant, [A German letter, so Liszt's own French expression +is kept] Schlesinger will give him a modest payment for the work +he has begun. Please kindly see about the enclosed letters for +Freund as soon as possible. + +With all good wishes, I am, dear Kroll, + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Port Marly, June 11th, 1844 + + + +39. To Freund + +[Autograph in the possession of Professor Hermann Scholtz in +Dresden.] + +I am shockingly behindhand with you, my dear Freund, but I won't +make any excuses, although an illness of more than a month comes +rather a propos to justify me fully and even more. + +Herewith letters and cards for Baron Lannoy (Haslinger will give +you the address), for Prince Fritz Schwarzenberg, and for Doctor +Uwe, Kriehuber, and Simon Lowy, who will soon be back in Vienna. +I shall be glad if you will give them in any case, whether now or +later. If you want to give me a pleasure you will go and see my +uncle Eduard Liszt, and try to distract him a little. + +I detest repeating myself in letters so much that I can't write +over again to you my plans of travel up to the beginning of +winter; these I have just told Kroll in full, and you already +know them from Hanover. + +Teleky, Bethlen (Friends of Liszt's), and Corracioni are here, +and form a kind of colony which I call the Tribe of the Huns! + +Probably Teleky will come and pick me up at Weymar towards the +middle of February, and we shall go together to Vienna and Pest-- +not forgetting Temesvar, Debreczin, and Klausenburg! + +I hope then to find you in Vienna, and shall perhaps be able to +give you a good lift. + +Meanwhile acknowledge the receipt of these lines: enjoy yourself, +and remain to me always friend Freund. [A play on his name +Freund, which means friend.] + +Yours most sincerely and affectionately, + +F. Liszt + +Port Marly, June 11th, 1844. + + + +40. To Franz Von Schober. + +Gibraltar, March 3rd, 1845. + +Your letter pleases me like a child, my dear good Schober! +Everything comes to him who can wait. But I scarcely can wait to +congratulate you and to see you again in Weymar [as Councillor of +Legation there]. Unhappily it is not probable that I can get +there before the end of next autumn. Keep me in your good books, +therefore, until then, and accept my best thanks in advance for +all you will have done for me and fought for me till then, both +in Weymar and in Hungary! + +With regard to Vienna, Lowy writes me almost exactly the same as +you. To tell the truth I am extremely thankful to the Vienna +public, for it was they who, in a critically apathetic moment, +roused and raised me [When he came from Venice to Vienna in the +spring of 1838, to give a concert for the benefit of his +Hungarian compatriots after the inundations, on which occasion, +although Thalberg, Clara Wieck, and Henselt had been there before +him, he aroused the utmost enthusiasm.]; but still I don't feel +the slightest obligation to return there a year sooner or later. +My Vienna journey will pretty much mark the end of my virtuoso +career. I hope to go thence (in the month of August, 1846) to +Constantinople, and on my return to Italy to pass my dramatic +Rubicon or Fiasco. + +So much for my settled plans. + +What precisely is going to become of me this coming spring and +summer I do not exactly know. In any case to Paris I will not go. +You know why. My incredibly wretched connection with _____ has +perhaps indirectly contributed more than anything to my Spanish- +Portuguese tour. I have no reason to regret having come, although +my best friends tried to dissuade me from it. Sometimes it seems +to me that my thoughts ripen and that my troubles grow +prematurely old under the bright and penetrating sun of Spain... + +Many kind messages to Eckermann and Wolff. [Professor Wolff, +editor of "Der poetische Hausschatz."] I will write to the latter +from the Rhine, where I shall at any rate spend a month this +summer (perhaps with my mother and Cosima). If he is still +inclined to return to his and your countries (Denmark and +Sweden), we can make a nice little trip there as a holiday treat. + +Good-bye, my dear excellent friend. Allow me to give you as true +a love as I feel is a necessity of my heart! Ever yours, + +F. Liszt + +What is Villers doing? If you see him tell him to write me a line +to Marseilles, care of M. Boisselot, Pianoforte Maker. + + + +41. To Franz Kroll at Glogau + +Weymar, March 26th, 1845 + +My very dear Kroll, + +The arrival of your letter and the packet which accompanied it +decided a matter of warm contest between our friend Lupus +[Presumably Liszt's friend, Professor Wolff (1791-1851).] and +Farfa-Magne-quint-quatorze! [For whom this name was intended is +not clear.] It consisted in making the latter see the difference +between the two German verbs "verwundern" (to amaze) and +"bewundern" (to admire), and to translate clearly, according to +her wits, which are sometimes so ingeniously refractory, what +progress there is from Verwundern (amazement) to Erstaunen +(astonishment). Imagine, now, with what a wonderful solution of +the difficulty your packet and letter furnished us, and how +pleased I was at the following demonstration:-- + +"We must admire (bewundern) Kroll's fine feeling of friendship; +we may be amazed (verwundern) at the proof he has given of his +industry in copying out the Mass; should this industry continue +we shall first of all be astonished (erstaunen), and by degrees, +through the results he will bring about, we again attain to +admiration (Bewunderung)." + +I don't know how you will judge, critically, of this example, but +what is certain is that it appeared to be quite conclusive to our +auditory. + +Ernst [The celebrated violinist (1814-65)] has just been spending +a week here, during which he has played some hundred rubbers of +whist at the "Erbprinz." His is a noble, sweet, and delicate +nature, and more than once during his stay I have caught myself +regretting you for him, and regretting him for you. Last Monday +he was good enough to play, in his usual and admirable manner, at +the concert for the Orchestral Pension Fund. The pieces he had +selected were his new "Concerto pathetique" (in F~ minor) and an +extremely piquant and brilliant "Caprice on Hungarian Melodies." +(This latter piece is dedicated to me.) The public was in a good +humor, even really warm, which is usually one of its least +faults. + +Milde, who is, as you know, not much of a talker, has +nevertheless the tact to say the right thing sometimes. Thus, +when we went to see Ernst off at the railway, he expressed the +feeling of us all--"What a pity that Kroll is not here!" + +For the most part you have left here the impression which you +will leave in every country--that of a man of heart, talent, +tact, and intellect. One of these qualities alone is enough to +distinguish a man from the vulgar herd; but when one is so well +born as to possess a quartet of them it is absolutely necessary +that the will, and an active will, should be added to them in +order to make them bring out their best fruits,--and this I am +sure you will not be slow to do. + +Your brother came through here the day before yesterday, thinking +he should still find you here. I have given him your address, and +told him to inquire about you at Schlesinger's in Berlin, where +he expects to be on the 8th of April; so do not fail to let +Schlesinger know, in one way or another, when you get to Berlin. +As M. de Zigesar [The Intendant at Weimar.] I was obliged to +start in a great hurry for The Hague, in the suite of the +Hereditary Grand Duchess, I will wait till his return to send you +the letters for Mr. de Witzleben. I will address them to +Schlesinger early in April. + +We are studying hard at the Duke of Coburg's opera "Toni, oder +die Vergellung," ["Toni, or the Requital"] which we shall give +next Saturday. The score really contains some pretty things and +which make a pleasing effect; unluckily I cannot say as much for +the libretto. + +Your castle in the air for May we will build up on a solid basis +in Weymar; for I am quite calculating on seeing you then, +together with our charming, good, worthy friend Conradi. Will you +please, dear Kroll, tell Mr. Germershausen and his family how +gratified I am with their kind remembrance? When I go to Sagan I +shall certainly give myself the pleasure of calling on him. + +Believe me ever your very sincere and affectionate friend, + +F. Liszt + + + +42. To Abbe de Lamennais + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.] + +Permit me, illustrious and venerable friend, to recall myself to +your remembrance through M. Ciabatta, who has already had the +honor of being introduced to you last year at my house. He has +just been making a tour in Spain and Portugal with me, and can +give you all particulars about it. I should have been glad also +to get him to take back to you the score, now completed, of the +chorus which you were so good as to entrust to me ("The iron is +hard, let us strike!"), but unfortunately it is not with music as +with painting and poetry: body and soul alone are not enough to +make it comprehensible; it has to be performed, and very well +performed too, to be understood and felt. Now the performance of +a chorus of the size of that is not an easy matter in Paris, and +I would not even risk it without myself conducting the +preliminary rehearsals. While waiting till a favorable +opportunity offers, allow me to tell you that I have been happy +to do this work, and that I trust I have not altogether failed in +it. Were it not for the fear of appearing to you very indiscreet, +I should perhaps venture to trespass on your kindness for the +complete series of these simple, and at the same time sublime, +compositions, of which you alone know the secret. Three other +choruses of the same kind as that of the Blacksmiths, which +should sum up the most poetical methods of human activity, and +which should be called (unless you advise otherwise) Labourers, +Sailors, and Soldiers, would form a lyric epic of which the +genius of Rossini or Meyerbeer would be proud. I know I have no +right to make any such claim, but your kindness to me has always +been so great that I have a faint hope of obtaining this new and +glorious favor. If, however, this work would give you even an +hour's trouble, please consider my request as not having been +made, and pardon me for the regret which I shall feel at this +beautiful idea being unrealized. + +As business matters do not necessarily call me to Paris, I prefer +not to return there just now. I expect to go to Bonn in the month +of July, for the inauguration of the Beethoven Monument, and to +have a Cantata performed there which I have written for this +occasion. The text, at any rate, is tolerably new; it is a sort +of Magnificat of human Genius conquered by God in the eternal +revelation through time and space,--a text which might apply +equally well to Goethe or Raphael or Columbus, as to Beethoven. +At the beginning of winter I shall resume my duties at the Court +of Weymar, to which I attach more and more a serious importance. + +If you were to be so very good as to write me a few lines, I +should be most happy and grateful. If you would send them either +to my mother's address, Rue Louis le Grand, 20; or to that of my +secretary, Mr. Belloni, Rue Neuve St. George, No. 5, I should +always get them in a very short time. + +I have the honor to be, sir, yours very gratefully, + +F. Liszt + +Marseilles, April 28th, 1845 + + + +43. To Frederic Chopin + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +The great Polish tone-poet (1809-49) was most intimate with Liszt +in Paris. The latter, in his work "F. Chopin" 1851, second +edition 1879, Breitkopf and Hartel; German translation by La +Mara, 1880), raised an imperishable monument to him.] + +Dear Chopin, + +M. Benacci, a member of the Maison Troupenas, and in my opinion +the most intelligent editor, and the most liberal in business +matters, in France, asks me for a letter of introduction to you. +I give it all the more willingly, as I am convinced that under +all circumstances you will have every reason to be satisfied with +his activity and with whatever he does. Mendelssohn, whom he met +in Switzerland two years ago, has made him his exclusive editor +for France, and I, for my part, am just going to do the same. It +would be a real satisfaction to me if you would entrust some of +your manuscripts to him, and if these lines should help in making +you do so I know he will be grateful to me. + +Yours ever, in true and lively friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Lyons, May 21st, 1845 + + + +44. To George Sand. + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +A friendship of long years subsisted between Liszt and France's +greatest female writer, George Sand. At her home of Nohant he was +a frequent guest, together with the Comtesse d'Agoult. Three +letters which he wrote (in 1835 and 1837) for the Gazette +Musicale--clever talks about Art, Nature, Religion, Freedom, +etc.--bear George Sand's address.] + +Without wishing to add to your other inevitable troubles that of +a correspondence for which you care little, allow me, dear +George, to claim for myself your old indulgence for people who +write to you without requiring an answer, and let me recall +myself to you by these few lines through M. Benacci. Their +ostensible object is to recommend the above-mentioned Benacci, so +that you, in your turn, may recommend him more particularly to +Chopin (and I may add in parenthesis that I should abstain from +this negotiation were I not firmly persuaded that Chopin will +never regret entering into business relations with Benacci, who, +in his capacity of member of the firm of Troupenas, is one of the +most important and most intelligent men of his kind); but the +real fact of the matter is that I am writing to you above all-- +and why should I not confess it openly?--for the pleasure of +conversing with you for a few moments. Therefore don't expect +anything interesting from me, and if my handwriting bothers you, +throw my letter into the fire without going any further. + +Do you know with whom I have just had endless conversations about +you, in sight of Lisbon and Gibraltar? With that kind, excellent, +and original Blavoyer, the Ahasuerus of commerce, whom I had +already met several times without recognising him, until at last +I remembered our dinners at the "Ecu" (Crown) at Geneva, and the +famous Pipe! + +During the month's voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona we emptied I +cannot tell you how many bottles of sherry in your honor and +glory; and one fine evening he confided to me in so simple and +charming a manner his vexation at being unable to find several +letters that you had written to him in Russia, I think, and which +have been stolen from him, that I took a liking to him, and he +did the same to me. The fact is that there could not possibly be +two Blavoyers under the sun, and his own person is the only +pattern of which he cannot furnish goods wholesale, for there is +no sort of thing that he does not supply to all parts of the +globe. + +A propos of Lisbon and supplies, have you a taste for camellias? +It would be a great pleasure to me to send you a small cargo of +them from Oporto, but I did not venture to do it without knowing, +in case you might perhaps have a decided antipathy to them. + +In spite of the disinterestedness with which I began this letter, +I come round, almost without knowing how, to beg you to write to +me. Don't do more than you like; but in any case forgive me for +growing old and arriving at the point when noble recollections +grow in proportion as the narrowing meannesses of daily life find +their true level. Yes, even if you thought me more of a fool than +formerly, it would be impossible for me to hold your friendship +cheap, or not to prize highly the fact that, somehow or other, it +has not come to be at variance nor entirely at an end. + +As the exigencies of my profession will not allow me leisure to +return so soon to Paris, I shall probably not have the +opportunity of seeing you for two years. Towards the middle of +July I go to Bonn for the inauguration of the Beethoven Monument. +Were it not that a journey to the Rhine is so commonplace, I +should beg you to let me do the honors of the left and of the +right bank to you, as well as to Chopin (a little less badly than +I was able to do the honors of Geneva!). My mother and my +children are to join me at Cologne in five or six weeks, but I +cannot hope for such good luck as that we might meet in those +parts, although after your winters of work and fatigue a journey +of this kind would be a refreshing distraction for you both. + +At the close of the autumn I shall resume my duties at Weymar; +later on I shall go to Vienna and Hungary, and proceed thence to +Italy by way of Constantinople, Athens, and Malta. + +If, therefore, one of these fine days you should happen to be in +the humor, send me a word in reply about the camellias; if you +will send your letter to my mother (20, Rue Louis le Grand) I +shall get it immediately. In every way, count upon my profound +friendship and most respectful devotion always and everywhere. + +Lyons, May 21st, 1845 + +F. Liszt + + + +45. T Abbe De Lamennais + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.] + +Oh no, there is not, and there never could be, any indiscretion +from you towards me. Believe me that I do not deceive myself as +to the motive which determined you to write to me with such great +kindness, and if it happened that I replied too sanguinely and at +too great length I beg you to excuse me. Above all do not punish +me by withdrawing from me the smallest particle of your sacred +friendship. + +M. de Lamartine, with whom I have been spending two or three days +at Montceau, told me that you had read to him "Les Forgerons," so +I played him the music. Permit me still to hope that some day you +may be willing to complete the series, and that I, on my side, +may not be unworthy of this task. + +Yours most heartily, + +Dijon, June 1st, 1845 + +F. Liszt + + + +46. To Gaetano Belloni in Paris + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris.-- +Addressed to Liszt's valued secretary during his concert tours in +Europe from 1841-1847.] + +Dear and Most Excellent Belloni, + +Everything is moving on, and shall not stop either. Bonn is in a +flutter since I arrived and I shall easily put an end to the +paltry, under-hand opposition which had been formed against me. +By the time you arrive I shall have well and duly conquered my +true position. + +[This refers to the Festival in Bonn, of several days' duration, +for the unveiling of the Beethoven Monument (by Hahnel), in which +Liszt, the generous joint-founder of the monument, took part as +pianist, composer, and conductor.] + +Will you please add to the list of your commissions: + +The cross of Charles III. + +and the cross of Christ of Portugal, large size? You know it is +worn on the neck. + +Don't lose time and don't be too long in coming. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +July 23rd, 1845. + +Kindest regards to Madame Belloni.--I enclose a few lines for +Benacci, which you will kindly give him. + + + +47. To Madame Rondonneau at Sedan + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris.] + +In spite of rain, snow, hail, and frost, here I am at last, +having reached the hotel of the Roman Emperor at Frankfort after +forty-eight hours' travelling, and I take the first opportunity +of telling you anew, though not for the last time, how much I +feel the charming and affectionate reception which you have given +me during my too short, and, unhappily for me, too unfortunate +stay at Sedan. Will you, dear Madame, be so kind as to be my +mouthpiece and special pleader to Madame Dumaitre, who has been +so uncommonly kind and cordial to me? Assuredly I could not +confide my cause (bad as it may be) to more delicate hands and to +a more persuasive eloquence, if eloquence only consists in +reality of "the art of saying the right thing, the whole of the +right thing, and nothing but the right thing," as La +Rochefoucauld defined it; a definition from which General Foy +drew a grand burst of eloquence--"The Charter, the whole Charter +(excepting, however, Article 14 and other peccadilloes!), and +nothing but the Charter." + +"But don't let us talk politics any longer," as Lablache so +happily remarked to Giulia Grisi, who took it into her head one +fine day to criticize Don Juan! + +Let us talk once more of Sedan, and let me again say to you how +happy I should be to be able one day to show those whose +acquaintance I have made through you in what grateful remembrance +I keep it. + +Will you, Madame, give my best and most affectionate thanks to M. +Rondonneau, and accept my very respectful and devoted homage? + +F. Liszt + +Frankfurt, February 11th, 1846 + +P.S.--Being pressed for time, and owing, perhaps, to a stupid +feeling of delicacy, I came away without paying my doctor. + +If you think well, would you be so kind as to credit me with a +napoleon and give it him from me: Madame Kreutzer will be my +banker in Paris. Adieu till we meet again. + + + +48. To Monsieur Grillparzer + +[Original, without date, in the possession of the Baroness +Mayrhofer-Grunbuhel at Klagenfurt. It might belong to the year +1846, during which Liszt arranged ten concerts in Vienna, from +March 1st to May 17th, and lived there during a great part of the +summer. From the same year dates a poem of homage to the +incomparable magician of the piano from the great poet. This +slight and unimportant letter is the only one of Liszt's found +among Grillparzer's effects.] + +Will you do me the favor, my dear sir, to come and dine, without +ceremony, with several of your friends and admirers on Friday +next at 3 o'clock (at the "Stadt Frankfurt")? I should be very +much gratified at this kindness on your part. M. Bauernfeld leads +me to hope that you will not refuse me. Permit me to think that +he is not mistaken, and allow me to express once more my high +esteem and admiration. + +F. Liszt + +Tuesday Morning. [1846?] + + + +49. To Franz von Schober, Coucillor of Legation in Weimar + +Prague, April 11th, 1846. [According to the postal stamp.] + +Dear Friend, + +Your commissions have been attended to. The Wartburg has been +sent through Bauernfeld to the Allgemeine, and will, I trust, not +have to warten [Wait; a play on the words Wartburg and warten. A +treatise on the proposed completion of the Wartburg.] too long. I +have sent a second copy of this article to Paris, where it is to +appear in French garb. The report figures already in the Vienna +Theater-Zeitung, a paper with a wide circulation (and none the +better on that account!), where it makes quite a good appearance. + +You would get the best connection with Frankfort through O. L. B. +Wolff (and through his medium, which is at any rate an honest and +proper one, with the German Frankfurtes Journal, or the +Oberpostamts-Zeitung, and even with the Didaskalia). + +Talk this over with Wolff! + +The same with the "illustrated" Leipzig Journal, in which the +article on the Wartburg should appear as soon as possible with an +illustration. Wolff can also arrange that, and in case it were +necessary, why, in Heaven's name, the sketch can be paid for. The +State of Weimar will not be ruined by it. Pereat Philistia and +its powerless foolery!!! + +You have only to write a line to Brockhaus, and the columns of +the Deutsche Allgemeine stand open to you. Your personal and +official position in Weimar entitle you to this. Later on, in +passing through Leipzig, you can very easily consolidate this +connection. My stay in Hungary (Pest) will probably be limited to +the first half of May. I shall in any case see Schwab. +"Sardanapalus" [An opera planned by Liszt] (Italian) will most +probably be produced next season (May) in Vienna. + +My stay in Weimar this summer...?? [The continuation of the +letter is missing.] + +50. To Franz von Schober, Councillor of Legation in Weimar + +Castle Gratz (at Prince Lichnowsky's) + +May 28th, 1846 + +You are curious people at Weimar. You stride on towards a +possibility, and as soon as the thing is well in train you take +fright at it! However that may be, here are the instructions I +have received from Paris, and if you still wish an article on the +Wartburg to appear in a French paper you must conform to them, +and therefore send to my mother's address (20, Rue Louis le +Grand) the indispensable little notice. + +The note from my Paris correspondent is as follows:-- + +"The article in its present form would not be suitable for +publication in any French paper; it will be necessary to write +another, explaining in a few words in what and how the Wartburg +is historically interesting to Europe, and why Europe ought to +interest herself in its restoration; then make a short +architectural description of the castle; but above all do not +forget that the article is to be read by Frenchmen, careless of +what is happening in Germany, and utterly ignorant of German +history and legend." + +I continue:-- + +1st.--A short account, historical and legendary, of the Wartburg. + +2nd.--How it has been allowed to fall into ruins. + +3rd.--How it is to be restored. + +Finally, plenty of facts and proper names, as M. de Talleyrand so +well said. Agreed then! As soon as you have got this sketched out +on the lines above mentioned (it will serve also for the +illustrated), send it to my mother by Weyland. My mother will +already know through me to whom she has to give it. + +There is nothing to be done with Schwab. His "Delirium" (as I +call it) [It was a "Tellurium"] stood in my room for a week, and +we stood there not knowing what to make of it. But never and no +how could we bring that good Schwab to try to make us see any +basis or proof of his calculation. My opinion is that, in order +to take away the incognito from his discovery, he ought to send a +sample to the Vienna Academy, and two others to the Berlin and +Paris Academies, for trial and discussion. If I can help him in +this matter with letters to Humboldt and Arago I will do it right +gladly; but it is as plain as day that incompetent private +sympathies are of no import in such a sensitive discovery, and +therefore can do nothing. Meanwhile they have made a subscription +of eight hundred guldens in money, and have bought the machine +for the Pest Museum. + +The relic with authentic verification is in the locked-up box at +Wolff's. Beg the Herr Librarian (it would really make me ill if +he is not appointed) to be so good as to find this relic--he will +have no difficulty in recognising it--and to send it me to +Haslinger's address, Graben, Vienna. + +About my law-suit more anon in Weimar. Meanwhile thank my +excellent advocate (does he take snuff?) warmly, and beg him to +continue to keep me in his good graces. + +If I know that it will be agreeable to his Grace [The former +Hereditary Grand Duke and present Grand Duke of Saxony.] to see +me in Weimar this summer, I shall come, in spite of the upset +which this journey will occasion to me. You know how I am, +heartily and personally, in his favor without any interest. I +should like also to tell him many things, and for this a stay +there in the summer with walks (which as a rule I can't abide, as +you know) would be pleasanter and more convenient. + +My stay in Pest might bear serious fruit, were it not that the +Byronic element, which you combat in me, becomes ever more and +more predominant. + +Farewell and work hard! I cannot arrange any meeting with you. I +am not my own master. In August I mean to make a peregrination to +Oedenburg, and thence to Leo and Augusz (the latter in Szegzard). +If I come to Weimar it will be in July. + +Address always to Haslinger's. + +Adieu, my dear excellent Schober. Remain as good to me as you are +dear! + +Yours ever affectionately, + +F. Liszt + +Remember me most kindly to Ziegesar and Wolff. + + + +51. To Alexander Seroff + +[Russian musical critic and composer (1820-71)] + +I am most grateful, my dear sir, for the kind remembrance you +keep of me since Petersburg, [Seroff was at that time in the +Crimea.] and I beg you to excuse me a thousand times for not +having replied sooner to your most charming and interesting +letter. As the musical opinions on which you are kind enough to +enlarge have for long years past been completely my own, it is +needless for me to discuss them today with you. There could, at +most, be only one point in which we must differ perceptibly, but +as that one point is my own simple individuality you will quite +understand that I feel much embarrassed with my subject, and that +I get out of it in the most ordinary manner, by thanking you very +sincerely for the too flattering opinion that you have formed +about me. + +The Overture to "Coriolanus" is one of those masterpieces sui +generis, on a solid foundation, without antecedent or sequel in +analogous works. Does it remind you of Shakespeare's exposition +of the tragedy of the same name (Act i., Scene I)? It is the only +pendant to it that I know in the productions of human genius. +Read it again, and compare it as you are thinking of it. You are +worthy of those noble emotions of Art, by the fervent zeal with +which you worship its creed. Your piano score of the Overture to +Coriolanus does all honor to your artist conscience, and shows a +rare and patient intelligence which is indispensable to bringing +this task to a satisfactory end. If I should publish my version +of the same Overture (it must be among my papers in Germany) I +shall beg your permission to send you, through Prince Dolgorouki +[Prince Argontinski-Dolgorouki, a devoted lover of music. A +friend of Liszt's: had rich property in the Crimea.] (I can't +tell you half the good I think of him), an annotated copy, which +I will beg you to add to the insignificant autograph which you +really estimate too highly in attaching so affectionate a price +to it! Accept once more, my dear sir, my most affectionate +regards. + +F. Liszt + +Elisabethgrad, September 14th. 1847 + + + +52. To Carl Haslinger in Vienna + +[The original (without address) in the possession of M. Alfred +Bovet at Valentigney.--There is no doubt that it was written to +the above music publisher (son of the well-known Tobias H.), who +was a pupil of Czerny, and at the same time a pianist and +composer (1816-68), and friend of Liszt] + +Woronino, December 19th, 1847 + +My dear Karolus, + +I am delighted to hear from you of the arrival of my box from +Galatz. Will you be so good as to send it off speedily and safely +to Weymar, so that I may find it when I arrive there (at the end +of this month)? and, as I am away, address it to M. le Baron de +Ziegesar, Chamberlain to H.R.H. the Hereditary Grand Duchess. Beg +Lowy to take the same opportunity of sending me the other boxes +belonging to me, which remained behind, whether with him or +elsewhere, to my Weymar address, unless he prefers to bring them +with him when he comes to see me. + +In my last letter to my uncle I gave him a commission for you-- +namely, to beg you to send me the Melodies and Rhapsodies +Hongroises complete; also the Schwanengesang and the Winterreise +(transcriptions), large size edition, made into a book. As you +have had some proofs made of my new Rhapsodies, make up a parcel +of it all, which will be an agreeable surprise to me on my +arrival. + +I have worked pretty well these last two months, between two +cigars in the morning, at several things which do not displease +me; but I want to go back to Germany for some weeks in order to +put myself in tune with the general tone, and to recreate myself +by the sight and hearing of the wonderful things produced there +by...Upon my word I don't know by whom in particular, if not the +whole world in general. + +If you want me to...[editor's note: impossible to decipher this +word in Liszt's original letter] anything for you, tell me, and +give me your ideas as to cut and taste. + +Send me also the Schumann Opus (Kreisleriana, etc.) published by +yourself and Mechetti, together with Bach's six Pedal Fugues, in +which I wish to steep myself more fully. If the three Sonnets +(both voice and pianoforte editions) are already re-corrected, +kindly send me also an author's copy. + +Adieu, dear Karolus. I commend my box to you, and commend myself +to you also + +As your sincere friend, + +F. Liszt + +I need not say that of course you shall be repaid immediately for +sending the box--only hurry on the sending. + +Best regards to your wife. + +Lowy will tell you what I wish in regard to the credit for my +uncle Eduard. + + + +53. To The Hochwohlgeboren Herr Baron von Dornis, Jena. + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr C. Geibel, bookseller in +Leipzig.--The addressee was a sculptor.] + +The confidence which you place in me, most esteemed Herr Baron, +is naturally very flattering; but in order to meet it according +to your wishes, I ought to have quite other means at my disposal +than those I have. + +It would of course be very gratifying to me to possess one of +your valued works; yet I cannot help taking this opportunity of +remarking that, in view of the far too many busts, medallions, +statuettes, caricatures, medals, and portraits of all kinds +existing of my humble self, I long ago resolved not to give +occasion to any further multiplication of them. + +Accept, esteemed Herr Baron, my expressions of great regret that +I cannot meet your kind proposal as you wish, and with the +assurance of my highest esteem, + +Believe me yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 6th, 1848 + + + +54. To Franz von Schober, Councillor of Legation at Weimar. + +Castle Gratz, April 22nd, 1848. + +My Dear and Honored Friend, + +Your dear letter has brought me still nearer to you in the crisis +of the estro poetico, which the "Hungaria" [One of Liszt's +symphonic poems.] brought forth in me; and, thanks to this good +influence, I hope you will not be dissatisfied with the +composition. + +Since my Beethoven Cantata I have written nothing so striking and +so spontaneous. One of these next days the instrumentation will +be completed, and when we have an opportunity we can have it +performed in Weimar in your honor and that of "Weimar's dead." +[Refers to a poem entitled "Weimar's Todten."] + +Regardless of the blocking of the Russian frontier the Princess +Wittgenstein has safely passed through Radziwillow and Brody with +a special official outrider, and established herself at Castle +Gratz four days ago with her very charming and interesting +daughter. As it is still somewhat early for the German bath +season, I should like to persuade her to spend a couple of weeks +in Weimar before her Carlsbad "cure" (which, alas! is very +necessary for her). If my wishes should be successful I shall +arrive at Weimar between the 10th and 15th of May, in order to +prepare a suitable house or suite of apartments for the Princess. + +I should be so pleased if you had an opportunity of getting to +know the P. W. She is without doubt an uncommonly and thoroughly +brilliant example of soul and mind and understanding (with +immense esprit as well). + +It won't take you long to understand that henceforth I can dream +of very little personal ambition and future wrapped up in myself. +In political relations serfdom may have an end, but the dominion +of one soul over another in the region of spirit, is not that +indestructible?...You, my dear, honored friend, will assuredly +not answer this question with a negative. + +In three weeks I hope we shall see each other again. Be so good +as to present my respects to our young Duke. What you tell me of +him pleases me. As soon as possible you shall hear more, and more +fully, from me, but do not write to me till then, as my address +meanwhile will be very uncertain. But continue to love me, as I +love and honor you. + +F. Liszt + + + +55. To Bernhard Cossmann in Baden-Baden + +[The addressee became in 1850 solo-violoncellist and chamber +virtuoso in Weimar, and, later, in Moscow, and has been, since +1878, a Professor at the Hoch Conservatorium at Frankfort-on- +Maine.] + +Circumstances! Conditions! My dear sir, these are now the very +ceremonious expressions and excuses of theatrical and directorial +beings. Unfortunately that is the case here too, although our +dear Weymar continuing free, not only from the real cholera, but +also from the slighter, but somewhat disagreeable, periodical +political cholerina, may peacefully dream by its elm, +yet...yet...I am sorry to say I am obliged not to answer your +kind letter affirmatively. Should circumstances and conditions, +however, turn out as I wish, then the Weymar band would consider +it an honor and a pleasure to possess you, my dear sir, as soon +as possible as one of its members. + +Meanwhile accept the assurance of high regard of yours very +sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 18th, 1848 + + + +56. To Carl Reinecke + +[The present conductor of the Gewandhaus Concerts in Leipzig +(born 1824), and celebrated composer, pianist, and conductor] + +Dear Sir, + +Your kind letter has given me much pleasure, and the prospect +which you hold out to me, of seeing you soon again at Weymar, is +very agreeable to me. But come soon, and if possible for a few +days; I on my side shall certainly do all I can to prolong your +stay here and make it seem short to you. The promised Concerto +interests me keenly; it will be sure to give us ample material +for musical talks, and perhaps after many a talk we shall set to +work again and both write a new Concerto. + +Would not the best results of criticism altogether be to incite +to new creation? + +However that may be, do not put off too long taking up your +quarters at the Erbprinz, and rest assured that your visit is +much desired by me. + +Yours very sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 25th, 1849 + +My very best thanks for the splendid stuff for the coat, which +will give me quite an important, well-to-do, stately appearance! + + + +57. To Count Sandor Teleky(?) + +[The original (without address) in the possession of Count Albert +Amadei in Vienna.--The recipient of this letter was presumably +Count Teleky, a friend of Liszt's, who often accompanied the +latter on his triumphal European journeys, and who was himself an +active musician and literary man. He died in June, 1892.] + +I have to give you threefold thanks, dear Count, and I feel that +I can undisguisedly do so! Your verses, in addition to your prose +and music, are three times welcome to me at Weymar, and the +Fantaisie dedicated to the royal hours of leisure of H.R.H. has +also charmed my leisure hours, as rare as they are modest. + +If it would not be a trouble to you to come to Weymar, it would +be most kind of you to give us the pleasure of your company for a +day or two during our theatrical season, which concludes on the +15th of June. We could then chat and make music at our ease (with +or without damages, ad libitum), and if the fantasy took us, why +should we not go to some new Fantasie of leisure on the "Traum- +lied (dream song) of Tony, [No doubt meaning Baron Augusz, +Liszt's intimate friend at Szegzard, who died in 1878.] for +instance, at the hour when our peaceable inhabitants are +sleeping, dreaming, or thinking of nothing? We two should at +least want to make a pair. + +May I beg you, dear Count, to recall me most humbly to the +indulgent remembrance of your charming and witty neighbor +[Nachbarin, feminine.] of the Erbprinz, and accept once more my +most cordial expressions for yourself? + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 5th, 1849 + + + +58. To Belloni(?) + +[The letter written apparently to Belloni (who has already been +mentioned) was, like the present one, published by Wilhelm +Tappert, in a German translation and in an incomplete form, in +the Neue Musik-Zeitung (Cologne, Tonger) of October 1st, 1881. +The editor unfortunately could not obtain possession of it +complete and in the original. According to Tappert, a Belgian +musical paper pronounced it spurious, for reasons unknown to the +former.] + +Weimar, May 14th, 1849 + +Dear B., + +Richard Wagner, a Dresden conductor, has been here since +yesterday. That is a man of wonderful genius, such a brain- +splitting genius indeed as beseems this country,--a new and +brilliant appearance in Art. Late events in Dresden have forced +him to a decision in the carrying out of which I am firmly +resolved to help him with all my might. When I have had a long +talk with him, you shall hear what we have devised and what must +also be thoroughly realized. In the first place we want to create +a success for a grand, heroic, enchanting musical work, the score +of which was completed a year ago. [Lohengrin.] Perhaps this +could be done in London? Chorley, [Chorley (1808-72) had +considerable influence in London as author, critic, and writer in +the Athenoeum.] for instance, might be very helpful to him in +this undertaking. If Wagner next winter could go to Paris backed +up by this success, the doors of the Opera would stand open to +him, no matter with what he might knock. It is happily not +necessary for me to go into long further discussions with you; +you understand, and must learn whether there is at this moment in +London an English theater (for the Italian Opera would not help +our friend!), and whether there is any prospect that a grand and +beautiful work from a master hand could have any success there. + +[It was not in London, but in Weimar, as is well known, that the +first performance of "Lohengrin" took place (on August 28th, +1850). It was not until twenty-five years later that London made +acquaintance with Wagner's work on the stage, in the Italian +Opera and with Nicolini in the title-role; and the composer +himself heard it for the first time in Vienna on May 15th, 1861.] + +Let me have an answer to this as quickly as possible. Later on-- +that is, about the end of the month--Wagner will pass through +Paris. You will see him, and he will talk with you direct about +the tendency and expansion of the whole plan, and will be +heartily grateful for every kindness. Write soon and help me as +ever. It is a question of a noble end, toward the fulfillment of +which everything must tend. + + + +59. To Carl Reinecke + +Weymar, May 30th, 1849 + +Thank you much, dear M. Reinecke, for your welcome lines, and I +am glad to hope that you are happily arrived at Bremen, which +ought to be proud to possess you. The musical taste of that town +has always been held up to me, and I feel assured that the +inhabitants will have the good taste to appreciate you at your +full value, and that you will create a good and fine position for +yourself there without many obstacles. + +Wagner, who will probably be obliged to lose his post at Dresden +in consequence of recent events, has been spending some days with +me here. Unluckily the news of the warrant against him arrived +the day of the performance of "Tannhauser", which prevented him +from being present. By this time he must have arrived in Paris, +where he will assuredly find a more favorable field for his +dramatic genius. With the aid of success he will end, as I have +often said, by being acknowledged as a great German composer in +Germany, on condition that his works are first heard in Paris or +London, following the example of Meyerbeer, to say nothing of +Gluck, Weber, and Handel! + +Wagner expressed his regret to me that he had not been able to +send a better reply to the few lines of introduction which I had +given you for him. If ever you should be in the same place with +him do not fail to go and see him for me, and you may be sure of +being well received. + +I am very much obliged to you for having spoken of me to Schumann +in such a manner as he at least ought to think of me. It +interested me much to make acquaintance with his composition of +the epilogue to "Faust". If he publishes it I shall try to have +it performed here, either at the Court or at the theater. In +passing lately through Frankfort I had a glance at the score of +"Genoveva", a performance of which had been announced to me at +Leipzig for the middle of May at latest. I am very much afraid +that Schumann will have a struggle with the difficulties and +delays which usually occur in trying to get any lofty work +performed. One would say that a bad fairy, in order sometimes to +counterbalance the works of genius, gives a magic success to the +most vulgar works and presides over the propagation of them, +favoring those whom inspiration has disdained, in order to push +its elect into the shade. That is no reason for discouragement, +for what matters the sooner or the later? + +A thousand thanks for your exact and obliging packet of cigars. +If you should have the opportunity of sending me some samples of +a kind neither too thin nor too light, at about twenty to twenty- +five thalers the thousand, I shall willingly give an order for +some, which might be followed by a larger order. + +Schuberth of Hamburg has just sent me your transcriptions of the +Schumann songs, which have given me real pleasure. If you publish +other things kindly let me know, for you know the sincere +interest I feel both in yourself and in your works,--an interest +I hope to have the opportunity of showing you more and more. + +Meanwhile believe me yours affectionately, + +F. Liszt + +P.S.--I have not forgotten the little commission you gave me +relative to the "Fantasie-Stucke," and in a few weeks I will let +you have a copy of the new edition. + + + +60. To Robert Schumann + +[original in the Royal Library in Berlin] + +Dear, esteemed Friend, + +Before everything allow me to repeat to you what, next after +myself, you ought properly to have known best a long time ago-- +namely, that no one honors and admires you more truly than my +humble self. + +When opportunity occurs we can certainly have a friendly +discussion on the importance of a work, a man, even a town +indeed. For the present I am specially rejoicing in the prospect +of an early performance of your opera, and beg you most urgently +to let me know about it a few days beforehand, as I shall most +certainly come to Leipzig on that occasion, and then we can also +arrange for it to be studied in Weymar as soon as possible +afterwards. Perhaps you will also find time there to make me +acquainted with your "Faust." For this composition I am anxiously +waiting, and your resolution to give this work a greater length +and breadth appears to me most judicious. A great subject demands +generally a grand treatment. Although the Vision of Ezekiel +attains in its small dimensions the culminating point of +Raphael's greatness, yet he painted the School of Athens and the +entire frescoes in the Vatican. + +"Manfred" is glorious, passionately attractive! Don't let +yourself be stopped in it; it will refresh you for your "Faust"-- +and German art will point with pride to these twin productions. + +Schuberth has sent me your "Album fur die Jugend" [Album for the +Young], which, to say the least, pleases me much. We have played +your splendid trio here several times, and in a pretty +satisfactory manner. + +Wagner stayed some days here and at Eisenach. I am expecting +tidings from him daily from Paris, where he will assuredly +enlarge his reputation and career in a brilliant manner. + +Would not your dear wife (to whom I beg to be kindly remembered) +like for once to make a romantic country excursion into the +Thuringer Wald [the Thuringian Forest]? The neighborhood is +charming, and it would give me great pleasure to see her again at +Weymar. A very good grand piano, and two or three intelligent +people who cling to you with true sympathy and esteem, await you +here. + +But in any case there will appear in Leipzig as a claqueur +[clapper (to applaud)] + +Your unalterably faithful friend, + +F. Liszt Weymar, June 5th, 1849 + + + +61. To Robert Schumann + +[original in the Royal Library in Berlin] + +Best thanks, dear friend, for your kind information about the +performance of your "Faust" on the 28th of August. + +To draw "das Ewig-Weibliche" rightly upwards ["Das Ewig-Weibliche +zicht uns hinan" ("The Eternal-Womanly draws us upwards").-- +Goethe's "Faust"] by rehearsing the chorus and orchestra would +have afforded me great pleasure--and would probably have +succeeded. ["Gelangen" and "gelingen"--untranslatable little +pun.] But unfortunately obstacles which cannot be put aside have +intervened, and it will be utterly impossible for me to be +present at the Goethe Festival, as I have to betake myself in a +few days' time to an almost unknown but very efficacious bath +resort, and my doctor's orders are most strict that I must not +make any break in my "cure" during six weeks. + +Notwithstanding this very deplorable contretemps for me, I +immediately informed Herr Councillor A. Scholl, as head of the +Goethe Committee, of your friendly proposal. Herewith his answer. + +Allow me meanwhile to refresh your memory with an old French +proverb, "Ce qui est differe n'est pas perdu" [What is put off is +not given up], and give me the hope that soon after my return to +Weymar we may occupy ourselves seriously with the performance of +your "Faust."... + +Hearty greetings to your dear wife, and believe me yours ever +most sincerely, + +F. Liszt Weymar July 27th, 1849 + + + +62. To Robert Schumann + +[autograph in the Royal Library in Berlin] + +Dear Friend, + +A summons which cannot be put off obliges me to be present at the +Goethe Festival here on the 28th of August, and to undertake the +direction of the musical part. + +My first step is naturally to beg you to be so good as to send us +soon the score of your "Faust." If you should be able to spare +any of the voice or orchestral parts it would be a saving of time +to us; but if not we shall willingly submit to getting the parts +copied out as quickly as possible. + +Kindly excuse me, dear friend, for the manner in which this +letter contradicts my last. I am very seldom guilty in such a +way, but in this case it does not lie in me, but in the +particulars of the matter itself. + +For the rest I can assure you that your "Faust" shall be studied +with the utmost sympathy and accuracy by the orchestra and +chorus.--Herr Montag, the conductor of the Musik-Verein [Musical +Union], is taking up the chorus rehearsals with the greatest +readiness, and the rest will be my affair!--Only, dear friend, +don't delay sending the score and, if possible, the parts. + +Sincerely yours, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, August 1st, 1849 + +If your opera is given not later than the 1st of September I +shall certainly come to Leipzig. + + + +63. To Carl Reinecke + +Heligoland, September 7th, 1849 + +I am very sorry, my dear M. Reinecke, not to have met you at +Hamburg. It would have been such a real pleasure to me to make +acquaintance again with your Nonet, and it seems to me, judging +from its antecedents in the form of a Concerto, that by this +decisive transformation it ought to be a most honorably +successful work. + +The "Myrthen Lieder" have never been sent to me. If you happen to +have a copy I should be very much obliged if you would send it me +to Schuberth's address. + +With regard to the article which has appeared in "La Musique" I +have all sorts of excuses to make to you. The editors of the +paper thought fit, I do not know why, to give it a title which I +completely disavow, and which would certainly have never entered +into my mind. Moreover the printer has not been sparing of +changing several words and omitting others. Such are the +inevitable disadvantages of articles sent by post, and of which +the proof correctors cannot read the writing. + +Anyhow, such as it is, I am glad to think that it cannot have +done you any harm in the mind of the French public, which has +customs and requirements that one must know well when one wishes +above all things to serve one's friends by being just to them. + +Two numbers of your "Kleine Fantasie-Stucke" have been +distributed, up to about a thousand copies, with the paper "La +Musique," under the title of "Bluettes,"--a rather ill-chosen +title to my idea,--but, notwithstanding this title and the words +"adopted by F. Liszt," which the editors have further taken the +responsibility of putting, I am persuaded that this publication +is a good opening (in material) into the musical world of France, +and, looking at this result only, I am charmed to have been able +to contribute to it. + +I shall return to Hamburg by the last boat from Heligoland on the +27th of September, in order to go to the baths of Eilsen, where I +expect to spend all the month of October. In November I shall be +back in Weymar for the rest of the winter. + +If you would have the kindness to send to Schuberth's address a +case of 250 cigars of a pretty good size from the Bremen +Manufactory, I should be very much obliged to you, and would take +care to let you have the money (which in any case will not be a +very great sum) through Schuberth. The samples you sent me to +Weymar did reach me, but at a moment when I was extremely +occupied, so that I forgot them. Pray let me hear from you from +time to time, my dear M. Reinecke, and regard me as a friend who +is sincerely attached to you. + +F. Liszt + + + +64. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +My dear Sir, + +The arrival of your piano is one of the most pleasant events in +my peacefully studious life at Weymar, and I hasten to send you +my best thanks. Although, to tell the truth, I don't intend to do +much finger-work in the course of this year, yet it is no less +indispensable for me to have from time to time a perfect +instrument to play on. It is an old custom that I should regret +to change; and, as you kindly inquire after the ulterior +destination of this piano, allow me to tell you quite frankly +that I should like to keep it as long as you will leave it me for +my private, personal, and exclusive use at Weymar. In being +guilty of the so-called indiscretion I committed in claiming of +your courtesy the continued loan of one of your instruments I +thought that, under the friendly and neighborly relations which +are established between us (for a long time to come, I hope), it +would not be unwelcome to your house that one of its productions +should play the hospitable to me, whilst receiving my hospitality +at the same time. However retired and sheltered I live from stir +and movement at Weymar, yet from time to time it does happen that +I receive illustrious visitors, or curious and idle ones who come +and trouble one for this or that; henceforth I shall be delighted +to be able to do the honors of your piano both to the one and to +the other, and that will be, besides, the best proof of the +strength of the recommendation that I have had the pleasure of +making, for a long time past, of your manufactory. If however, +contrary to expectation, it should happen that you were in +pressing need of an instrument, very little played upon, the one +at Weymar would be at your disposal at any moment. + +With regard to the Beethoven Lieder-Cyclus I have just received a +letter from Mr. Haslinger which I do not communicate in full +because of the personal details it contains, but this is the +passage, as laconic as it is satisfactory, with regard to this +publication:-- + +"I give you with pleasure my fullest consent to the edition of +the Beethoven Liederkreis by Breitkopf and Hartel." + +So by tomorrow's post I shall have the honor of returning you the +proofs of the Lieder-Cyclus, which forms a continuation to the +Beethoven Lieder which you have already edited, and which you +will publish when you think well. .--. + +With the proofs of my third piece on the "Prophete" I will also +send you all the pieces on it (piano and voice) which you have +been so good as to lend me, as well as the piano score, which I +don't require any more; for, unless I should have a success which +I dare not hope for (for these three pieces), and an express +order from you for another series of three pieces, which I could +easily extract from that vast score, I shall make this the end of +my work on the "Prophete." I come at last to a question, not at +all serious, but somewhat embarrassing for me,--that of fixing +the price of the manuscripts that you are so good as to print. I +confess that this is my "quart d'heure de Rabelais!" [The "quart +d'heure de Rabelais" refers to an incident in his life, and +means, in round terms, the moment of paying--i.e., any +disagreeable moment.] In order not to prolong it for you, allow +me to tell you without further ceremony that the whole of the six +works together, which are as follows:-- + +Lieder of Beethoven, Lieder-Cyclus of Beethoven, Consolations +(six numbers), Illustrations of the "Prophete" (three numbers), +published by your house, are worth, according to my estimation, +80-100 louis d'or. + +If this price does not seem disproportionate to you, as I am +pleased to think it will not, and if it suits you to publish +other pieces of my composition, I shall have the pleasure of +sending you in the course of the year:-- + +1. A "Morceau de Concert"(for piano without orchestra), composed +for the competition of the Paris Conservatoire, 1850. + +2. The complete series of the Beethoven Symphonies, of which you +have as yet only published the "Pastorale" and the "C minor." (In +the supposition that this publication will suit your house, I +will beg you to make the necessary arrangements from now onwards +with Mr. Haslinger; perhaps it will even be expedient that the +Symphony in A (7th), which Haslinger published several years ago +from the arrangement that I had made, should reappear in its +proper place in the complete series of the symphonies.) + +3. Bach's six fugues (for organ with pedals), arranged for piano +alone. + +In the middle of February I shall send you the complete +manuscript of my little volume on Chopin, and a little later in +the same month we shall set ourselves to work here on the study +of Schubert's opera, the performance of which will take place in +the first days of April. If, as I do not doubt, the performance +of the "Prophete" draws you to Dresden, I shall certainly have +the pleasure of seeing you there, for I have just begged Mr. de +Luttichau to be so good as to reserve me a place for that +evening, and I shall not fail to be there. Meanwhile, my dear M. +Hartel, believe me, + +Yours sincerely and affectionately, + +F. Liszt Weymar, January 14th, 1850 + +On the occasion of Schubert's opera I shall probably set to work +on the arrangement of the symphony, of which, meanwhile, I hold +the score.--Compliments and best regards to Madame Hartel, which +I know you will be kind enough to convey to her. + + + +65. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +February 24th, 1850 + +My dear Sir, + +.--. With regard to Schubert's opera ["Alfonso and Estrella." It +was given for the first time on June 24th, 1854, the birthday of +the Grand Duke (but not without some necessary cuts)], a recent +experience has entirely confirmed me in the opinion I had already +formed at the time of the first rehearsals with piano which we +had last spring--namely, that Schubert's delicate and interesting +score is, as it were, crushed by the heaviness of the libretto! +Nevertheless, I do not despair of giving this work with success; +but this success appears possible only on one condition--namely, +to adapt another libretto to Schubert's music. And since, by a +special fate, of which I have no reason to complain, a part of +Schubert's heritage has become my domain, I shall willingly busy +myself, as time and place offer, with the preparatory work and +the mise-en-scene of this opera, for which it would be +advantageous, in my opinion, if it could be first produced in +Paris. Belloni informs me that it will be pretty easy for you to +ensure me the entire rights of this work for France. If such be +the case I would take suitable measures for the success of this +work, on occasion of which I should naturally have to make a +considerable outlay of time and money, so that I should not be +disposed to run any risk without the guarantee of proportionate +receipts from the sale of the work in France, and author's rights +which I shall have to give up to the new poet. + +This matter, however, is not at all pressing, for I shall only be +able to set to work in the matter in the course of next year +(1851); but I shall be very much obliged to you not to lose sight +of it, and to put me in possession, when you are able, of the +cession of the French and English rights, in consideration of +which I will set to work and try to get the best possible chances +of success. + +Many thanks to you for so kindly sending the score of Schubert's +Symphony. That of the "Prophete" not being wanted by me any +longer, I enclose it in the parcel of proofs and manuscripts +which I beg you to undertake to send off to Mr. Belloni's address +in Paris. + +On Easter Monday we shall give the first performance of "Comte +Ory." [By Rossini] Would you not feel tempted to come and hear +it? It is a charming work, brimming over and sparkling with +melody like champagne, so that at the last rehearsal I christened +it the "Champagner-Oper" ["Champagne Opera."] and in order to +justify this title our amiable Intendant proposes to regale the +whole theater with a few dozens of champagne in the second act, +in order to spirit up the chorus. + +"Qu'il avait de bon vin le Seigneur chatelain!" + +Cordial remembrances from yours affectionately, + +F. Liszt + +I should be glad for the publication of No. 3 of the pieces on +the "Prophete," and the "Consolations," not to be put off long. + + + +66. To Professor J. C. Lobe in Leipzig + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +The addressee (1797-1881), a writer on music (formerly Court +Musician at Weimar), lived from 1846 in Leipzig.] + +My esteemed Friend, + +It is with much pleasure I send you the good news that H.R.H. the +Grand Duchess has graciously accepted the dedication of your +"System of Composition." [Published in 1850.] Our gracious +protector [feminine] started yesterday for The Hague, and will +not be back till towards the middle of August. + +I hope you will be sure not to fail us at the Herder Festival in +Weymar (August 25th), as well as at the "Lohengrin" evening +(28th); we have been already waiting for you so long! + +Between the performances of the "Messiah" and "Lohengrin" (to say +nothing of my "Prometheus" choruses) will also be the best +opportunity for you to present your work in person to the Grand +Duchess. + +Remember me kindly to your dear family, and remain my friend as I +am yours + +Most truly, + +F. Liszt Weymar, July 10th, 1850 + + + +67. To Friedrich Wieck in Dresden + +[published in the "Neue Musik-Zeitung" in 1888.--The addressee +was the well-known pianoforte master, the father of Clara +Schumann (1785-1873).] + +Esteemed Sir, + +It will be a real pleasure to me to welcome you here, and your +daughter [Marie Wieck, Hohenzollern Court Pianist in Dresden], +whom I have already heard so highly commended. Weymar, as you +know it of old, offers no brilliant resources for concerts; but +you may rest assured beforehand that I, on my side, shall do +everything that is possible in this connection to make things +easy for you. To me it seems especially desirable that you should +wait until the return of H.R.H. the Grand Duchess, which will be +within a fortnight; should you, however, be tied by time and come +here before that date, I bid you heartily welcome, dear sir, and +place myself at your disposal. + +Yours truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, August 4th, 1850 + + + +68. To Simon Lowy in Vienna. + +[Autograph in the Royal Library in Vienna. Printed in a German +translation, La Mara, "Letters of Musicians during Five +Centuries," vol. ii.] + +Weymar, August 5th, 1850 + +Dear Friend, + +My cousin Edward writes me word that you are a little piqued at +my long silence,--and I, shall I tell you frankly? am a little +piqued that you have not yet thought of coming to see me, and of +transferring your bath season to some place in the neighborhood +of Weymar. Will you make peace with me?-- + +Accept as a friend the invitation I give you in all friendship. +Arrive at Weymar the 23rd of August, and stay till the 30th at +least. You will find several of your friends here,--Dingelstedt, +Jules Janin, Meyerbeer (?), etc.,--and you will hear, firstly, on +the evening of the 24th, a good hour and a half of music that I +have just composed (Overture and Choruses) for the "Prometheus" +of Herder, which will be given as a Festal Introduction to the +inauguration of his statue in bronze by Schaller of Munich, which +is fixed for the 25th; secondly, on the evening of the 25th, +Handel's "Messiah"; thirdly, on the 28th, the anniversary of +Goethe's birth, a remarkably successful Prologue made, ad hoc, +for that day by Dingelstedt, followed by the first performance of +Wagner's "Lohengrin." This work, which you certainly will not +have the opportunity of hearing so soon anywhere else, on account +of the special position of the composer, and the many +difficulties in its performance, is to my idea a chef-d'oeuvre of +the highest and most ideal kind! Not one of the operas which has +entertained the theaters for the past twenty years can give any +approximate idea of it. + +So don't be piqued any longer, or rather, dear friend, be piqued +with curiosity to be one of the first to hear such a beautiful +thing. Sulk with Vienna, for a few weeks at least, instead of +sulking with me, which is all nonsense, and believe me always and +ever your most sincerely attached, but very much occupied, very +much pre-occupied, and oftentimes very absorbed friend, + +F. Liszt + + + +69. To Mathilde Graumann + +[Given by the addressee, subsequently celebrated as Mathilde +Marchesi, teacher of singing, in "Aus meinem Leben" (Bagel, +Dusseldorf)] + +Mademoiselle, + +Here is the letter for the Grand Master de Luttichau, which M. de +Ziegesar has just written in your honor and glory, with all the +good grace and obligingness which he keeps for you. + +As regards introductions to Berlin there is a provoking +contretemps for you. H.R.H. the Princess of Prussia will pass the +winter at Coblentz. + +Meyerbeer, to whom I beg you to remember me respectfully, will +certainly be your best patron with the Court, and I have no doubt +that he will receive you with sympathy and interest. + +I will also send you, in the course of the week, a letter for the +Chamberlain of H.R.H. Princess Charles of Prussia, which Ziegesar +has promised me. + +As to our concert, fixed for the 19th (Saturday next), I assure +you frankly that I should not have ventured to speak to you of +it, and that I hardly venture now. + +The receipts are to be devoted to some pension fund, always so +low in funds in our countries; consequently I am not in a +position to propose any suitable terms. Now as, on the occasion +of the performance of the "Messiah," you have already been only +too kind to us, it really would not do for me to return to the +charge, unless you were to authorize me to do so quite directly +and positively, by writing me an epistolary masterpiece somewhat +as follows:-- + +"I will sing in a perfunctory manner, but with the best +intentions and the best will in the world, the air from...(here +follows the name of the piece), and the duet from "Semairamide" +with Milde or Mademoiselle Aghte, next Saturday; and in order not +to put anybody out, I will arrive at the exact time of the +rehearsal, on Friday at four o'clock." + +If any such idea as this should come into your head please let me +know (by telegram if need be), so that by Monday night, or, at +latest, Tuesday midday, I may be able to make the programme, +which must appear by Wednesday morning at latest. + +With homage and friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Friday, October 11th, 1850 Be so kind as to give a friendly +shake of the hand from me to Joachim; recommend him not to be too +late in arriving at Weimar, where we expect him for the evening +of the 14th. + +P.S.--At the moment when I was going to send my letter to the +post the following lines reached me. I send them to you intact, +and you will see by them that you could not have friends better +disposed towards you than those of Weimar. + +Please do not fail to write direct to Ziegesar to thank him for +his kindness, of which you have been sensibly informed by me +(without alluding to his letter, which you will return to me), +and at the same time say exactly which week you will arrive in +Berlin; unless, however, you prefer to come and tell him this +verbally on Friday or Saturday evening at the Altenburg, after +you have again chanted to us and enchanted us. [Literal +translation, on account of play on words.] + + + +70. To Carl Reinecke + +Dear Reinecke, + +Here are the letters for Berlioz and Erard that I offered you. I +add a few lines for the young Prince Eugene Wittgenstein, with +whom you will easily have pleasant relations; he is an +impassioned musician, and is remarkably gifted with artistic +qualities. In addition, I have had a long talk about your stay in +Paris, and the success which you ought to obtain, with Belloni, +who came to me for a few days. You will find him thoroughly well +disposed to help you by all the means in his power, and I would +persuade you to have complete confidence in him. Go and look for +him as soon as ever you arrive, and ask him for all the practical +information you require. Make your visit to Messrs. Escudier with +him. (N.B.--He will explain why I have not given you a letter for +Brandus.) + +The greater number of your pieces have hitherto been printed +exclusively by Escudier, and in my opinion you would do well to +keep well with them in consequence. In your position it is not at +all necessary to make advances to everybody--and, moreover, it is +the very way to have no one for yourself. Look, observe, and keep +an intelligent reserve, and don't cast yourself, German-wise, +precipitately into politeness and inopportune modesty. + +In one of your leisure hours Belloni will take you to Madame +Patersi, who is entrusted with the education of my two daughters, +for whom I beg a corner of your kind attention. Play them your +Polonaise and Ballade, and let me hear, later on, how their very +small knowledge of music is going on. Madame Patersi, as I told +you, will have much pleasure in introducing you to her former +pupil, Madame de Foudras, whose salon enjoys an excellent +reputation. + +Need I renew to you here the request of my four cardinal points?- +-No, I am sure I need not!--Accept then, dear Reinecke, all my +heartiest wishes for this new year, as well as for your journey +to Paris. Let me hear of you through Belloni, if you have not +time to write to me yourself, and depend in all circumstances on +the very cordial attachment of + +Yours sincerely and affectionately, + +F. Liszt January 1st, 1851 My return to Weymar is unfortunately +again postponed for twenty days, by the doctor's orders, to which +I submit, although not personal to myself. [They referred to +Princess Wittgenstein, who was ill.] + + + +71. To Leon Escudier, Music Publisher in Paris + +[autograph in the possession of M. Arthur Pougin in Paris.--The +addressee was at that time the manager of the periodical "La +France Musicale," in which Liszt's Memoir of Chopin first +appeared in detached numbers (beginning from February 9th, +1851).] + +Weymar, February 4th, 1851 + +My dear Sir, + +The proofs of the two first articles of my biographical study of +Chopin ought to have reached you some days ago, for I corrected +and forwarded them immediately on my return to Weymar. You will +also find an indication of how I want them divided, which I shall +be obliged if you will follow. Both on account of the reverence +of my friendship for Chopin, and my desire to devote the utmost +care to my present and subsequent publications, it is important +to me that this work should make its appearance as free from +defects as possible, and I earnestly request you to give most +conscientious attention to the revision of the last proofs. Any +alterations, corrections, and additions must be made entirely in +accordance with my directions, so that the definitive +publication, which it would be opportune to begin at once in your +paper, may satisfy us and rightly fulfill the aim we have in +view. If therefore your time is too fully occupied to give you +the leisure to undertake these corrections, will you be so good +as to beg M. Chavee [an eminent Belgian linguist, at that time a +collaborator on the "France Musicale"] (as you propose) to do me +this service with the scrupulous exactitude which is requisite, +for which I shall take the opportunity of expressing to him +personally my sincere thanks? + +In the matter of exactitude you would have some right to reproach +me (I take it kindly of you to have passed it over in silence, +but I have nevertheless deserved your reproaches, apparently at +least) with regard to Schubert's opera ["Alfonso and Estrella," +which Liszt produced at Weimar in 1854]. I hope Belloni has +explained to you that the only person whom I can employ to make a +clear copy of this long work has been overwhelmed, up to now, +with pressing work. It will therefore be about three months +before I can send you the three acts, the fate of which I leave +in your hands, and for which, by the aid of an interesting +libretto, we may predict good luck at the Opera Comique. I will +return to this matter more in detail when I am in the position to +send you the piano score (with voice), to which, as yet, I have +only been able to give some too rare leisure hours, but which I +promise you I will not put off to the Greek Calends! + +As far as regards my opera, allow me to thank you for the +interest you are ready to take in it. For my own part I have made +up my mind to work actively at the score. I expect to have a copy +of it ready by the end of next autumn. We will then see what can +be done with it, and talk it over. + +Meanwhile accept, my dear sir, my best thanks and compliments. + +F. Liszt + +The proofs of the third and fourth articles on Chopin will be +posted to you tomorrow. + +Has Belloni spoken to you about F. David's "Salon Musical" +(twenty-four pieces of two pages each, very elegantly written and +easy to play)?--I can warmly recommend this work to you, both +from the point of view of art, and of a profitable, and perhaps +even popular, success. [Presumably Ferdinand David's "Bunte +Reihe," Op. 30, which Liszt transcribed for piano alone.] + + + +72. To Carl Reinecke + +My dear Mr. Reinecke, + +I am still writing to you from Eilsen; your two kind and charming +letters found me here and have given me a very real pleasure. You +may rest quite assured during your life of the sincere and +affectionate interest I feel for you, an interest of which I +shall always be happy to give you the best proofs as far as it +depends on me. + +Madame Patersi is loud in her praises both of your talent and of +yourself,--and I thank you sincerely for having so well fulfilled +my wishes with regard to the lessons you have been so kind as to +give to Blandine and Cosima. [Liszt's daughters. Blandine (died +1872) became afterwards the wife of Emile Ollivier; Cosima is the +widow of Wagner.] Who knows? Perhaps later on these girls will do +you honor in a small way by coming out advantageously with some +new composition by their master Reinecke, to the great applause +of Papa! + +Hiller shows tact and taste in making sure of you as a coadjutor +at the Rhenish Conservatorium, which seems to be taking a turn +not to be leaky everywhere. Cologne has much good, +notwithstanding its objectionable nooks. Until now the musical +ground there has been choked up rather than truly cultivated! +People are somewhat coarse and stupidly vain there; I know not +what stir of bales, current calculations, and cargoes incessantly +comes across the things of Art. It would be unjust, however, not +to recognize. the vital energy, the wealth of vigor, the +praiseworthy activity of this country, in which a group of +intelligent men, nobly devoted to their task, may bring about +fine results, more easily than elsewhere. + +At any rate I approve of what you have done, and compliment you +on having accepted Hiller's offer, [Namely, a position as +Professor at the Conservatorium of Cologne, which Reinecke +occupied from 1851 to 1854.] and shall have pleasure in sending +to your new address some of my latest publications, which will +appear towards the end of May (amongst others a new edition, +completely altered and well corrected, I hope, of my twelve great +Etudes, the Concerto without orchestra dedicated to Henselt, and +the six "Harmonies Poetiques et Religieuses"). I have also +written a very melancholy Polonaise, and some other trifles which +you will perhaps like to look over. + +Let me hear from you soon, my dear Mr. Reinecke, and depend, +under all circumstances, on the faithful attachment of + +Yours affectionately and sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Eilsen, March 19th, 1851 + + + +73. To Dr. Eduard Liszt in Vienna + +[An uncle of Liszt's (that is, the younger half-brother of his +father), although Liszt was accustomed to call him his cousin: a +noble and very important man, who became Solicitor-General in +Vienna, where he died February 8th, 1879. Franz Liszt clung to +him with ardor, as his dearest relation and friend, and in March, +1867, made over to him the hereditary knighthood.] + +[Weimar, 1851] + +Dear, excellent Eduard , + +It will be a real joy to me to take part in your joy, and I thank +you very cordially for having thought first of me as godfather to +your child. I accept that office very willingly, and make sincere +wishes that this son may be worthy of his father, and may help to +increase the honor of our name. Alas! it has been only too much +neglected and even compromised by the bulk of our relations, who +have been wanting either in noble sentiments, or in intelligence +and talent--some even in education and the first necessary +elements--to give a superior impulse to their career and to +deserve serious consideration and esteem. Thank God it is +otherwise with you, and I cannot tell you what a sweet and noble +satisfaction I derive from this. The intelligent constancy which +you have used to conquer the numerous difficulties which impeded +your way; the solid instruction you have acquired; the +distinguished talents you have developed; the healthy and wise +morality that you have ever kept in your actions and speech; your +sincere filial piety towards your mother; your attachment, +resulting from reflection and conviction, to the precepts of the +Catholic religion; these twenty years, in fine, that you have +passed and employed so honorably,--all this is worthy of the +truest praises, and gives you the fullest right to the regard and +esteem of honest and sensible people. So I am pleased to see that +you are beginning to reap the fruits of your care, and the +distinguished post to which you have just been appointed [He had +been made Assistant Public Prosecutor in 1850.] seems to justify +the hopes that you confided to me formerly, and which I treated, +probably wrongly, as so much naive ambition. At the point at +which you have arrived it would be entirely out of place for me +to poke advice and counsel out of season at you. Permit me, for +the sake of the lively friendship I bear you, and the ties of +relationship which bind us together, to make this one and only +recommendation, "Remain true to yourself!" Remain true to all you +feel to be highest, noblest, most right and most pure in your +heart! Don't ever try to be or to become something (unless there +were opportune and immediate occasion for it), but work +diligently and with perseverance to be and to become more and +more some one.--Since the difficult and formidable duty has +fallen upon you of judging men, and of pronouncing on their +innocence or guilt, prove well your heart and soul, that you may +not be found guilty yourself at the tribunal of the Supreme +Judge,--and under grave and decisive circumstances learn not to +give ear to any one but your conscience and your God!-- + +Austria has shown lately a remarkable activity, and a military +and diplomatic energy the service of which we cannot deny for the +re-establishment of her credit and political position. Certainly +by the prevision of a great number of exclusive Austrians--a +prevision which, moreover, I have never shared--it is probable +that the Russian alliance will have been a stroke of diplomatic +genius very favorable to the Vienna Cabinet, and that, in +consequence of this close alliance, the monarchical status quo +will be consolidated in Europe, notwithstanding all the +democratic ferments and dissolving elements which are evidently, +whatever people may say, at their period of ebb. I do not +precisely believe in a state of tranquility and indefinite peace, +but simply in a certain amount of order in the midst of disorder +for a round dozen of years, the main spring of this order being +naturally at Petersburg. From the day in which a Russian +battalion had crossed the Austrian frontier my opinion was fixed, +and when my friend Mr. de Ziegesar came and told me the news I +immediately said to him, "Germany will become Russian, and for +the great majority of Germans there is no sort of hesitation as +to the only side it remains to them to take." + +The Princess having very obligingly taken the trouble to tell you +my wishes with regard to my money matters, I need not trouble you +further with them, and confine myself to thanking you very +sincerely for your exactness, and for the discerning integrity +with which you watch over the sums confided to your care. May +events grant that they may prosper, and that they may not become +indispensable to us very soon.-- + +Before the end of the winter I will send you a parcel of music +(of my publications), which will be a distraction for your +leisure hours. I endeavour to work the utmost and the best that I +can, though sometimes a sort of despairing fear comes over me at +the thought of the task I should like to fulfill, for which at +least ten years more of perfect health of body and mind will be +necessary to me. + +Give my tender respects to Madame Liszt; you two form henceforth +my father's entire family; and believe in the lively and +unalterable friendship of + +Your truly devoted, + +F. Liszt + + + +74. To Count Casimir Esterhazy + +[Autograph (without address) in the possession of Herr Albert +Cohn, bookseller in Berlin.--The addressee was presumably Count +Esterhazy, whose guest Liszt was in Presburg in 1840.] + +Let me thank you very sincerely for your kind remembrance, dear +friend, and let me also tell you how much I regret that my +journey to Hohlstein cannot come to pass during your short stay +there. But as by chance you already find yourself in Germany, +will you not push on some fine day as far as Weymar?--I should +have very great pleasure in seeing you there and in receiving +you--not in the manorial manner in which you received me at +Presburg, but very cordially and modestly as a conductor, kept by +I know not what strange chance of fate at a respectful distance +from storms and shipwrecks!-- + +For three weeks past a very sad circumstance has obliged me to +keep at Eilsen, where I had already passed some months of last +winter. The reigning Prince is, as you have perhaps forgotten, +the present proprietor of one of your estates,--the Prince of +Schaumburg-Lippe. If by chance you are owing him a debt of +politeness, the opportunity of putting yourself straight would be +capital for me. Nevertheless I dare not count too much on the +attractions of the grandeur and charms of Buckeburg! and I must +doubtless resign myself to saying a longer farewell to you. + +Let me know by Lowy of Vienna where I shall address to you some +pieces in print which you can look over at any leisure hour, and +which I shall be delighted to offer you. I will add to them later +the complete collection of my "Hungarian Rhapsodies," which will +now form a volume of nearly two hundred pages, of which I shall +prepare a second edition next winter. Hearty and affectionate +remembrances from + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Eilsen, June 6th, 1851 + + + +75. To Theodor Uhlig, Chamber Musician in Dresden + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Hermann Scholtz, Chamber +virtuoso in Dresden.--The addressee, who was an intimate friend +of Wagner's (see "Wagner's Letters to Uhlig, Fischer, Heine"-- +London: H. Grevel & Co., 1890), gained for himself a lasting name +by his pianoforte score of Lohengrin. He died January, 1853.] + +The perusal of your most kind and judicious article in Brendel's +Musical Gazette on the "Goethe Foundation" [By Liszt, 1850. See +"Gesammelte Schriften," vol. v.] confirms me in the belief that I +could not fail to be understood by you in full intelligence of +the cause. Allow me then, my dear Mr. Uhlig, to thank you very +cordially for this new proof of your obligingness and of your +sympathy--in French, as this language becomes more and more +familiar and easy to me, whereas I am obliged to make an effort +to patch up more or less unskillfully my very halting German +syntax. + +The very lucid explanation that you have made of my pamphlet, as +well as the lines with which you have prefaced and followed it, +have given me a real satisfaction, and one which I did not expect +to receive through that paper, which, if I am not mistaken, had +hitherto shown itself somewhat hostile to me personally, and to +the ideas which they do me the small honor to imagine I possess. +This impression has been still further increased in me by reading +Mr. Brendel's following article on R. Wagner, which seems to me a +rather arranged transition between the former point of view of +the Leipzig school or pupils and the real point of view of +things. The quotation Brendel makes of Stahr's article on the +fifth performance of "Lohengrin" at Weymar, evidently indicates a +conversion more thought than expressed on the part of the former, +and at the performance of "Siegfried" I am persuaded that Leipzig +will not be at all behindhand, as at "Lohengrin." + +I do not know whether Mr. Wolf (the designer) has had the +pleasure of meeting you yet at Dresden; I had commissioned him to +make my excuses to you for the delay in sending the manuscript of +Wiland. Unfortunately it is impossible for me to think of +returning to Weymar before the end of July, and the manuscript is +locked up among other papers which I could not put into strange +hands. Believe me that I am really vexed at these delays, the +cause of which is so sad for me. + +If by chance you should repass by Cologne and Minden, it would be +very nice if you could stay a day at Buckeburg (Eilsen), where I +am obliged to stay till the 15th of July. I have not much +pleasure to offer you, but in return we can talk there at our +ease of the St. Graal... + +My pamphlet "Lohengrin and Tannhauser" will appear in French at +Brockhaus' towards the end of July. It will have at least the +same circulation as the "Goethe Foundation," and I will send you +by right one of the first copies. + +Kind regards to Wagner, about whom I have written a great deal +lately without writing to him; and believe me yours very +sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Eilsen (Buckeburg), June 25th, 1851. + + + +76. To Rosalie Spohr in Brunswick + +[niece of Louis Spohr, and an incomparable harpist,--"The most +ideal representative of her beautiful instrument," according to +Bulow; after her marriage with Count Sauerma she retired from +public life and now lives in Berlin.] + +After your amiable authorization to do so, Mademoiselle, I have +had your concert announced at Eilsen for Tuesday next, July 8th, +and you may rest assured that the best society of Buckeburg and +of the Badegaste [visitors who go for the baths] will be present. + +The price of the tickets has been fixed for 1 florin, which is +the maximum customary in this country. With regard to the +programme, I await your reply, in which I shall be glad if you +will tell me the four or five pieces you will choose, amongst +which will be, I hope, Parish Alvars' Fantaisie on motives from +"Oberon" and the "Danse des Fees." + +A distinguished amateur, Monsieur Lindemann of Hanover, has +promised me to play one or two violoncello solos, and the rest of +the programme will be easily made. + +As to your route, you had better take the Schnellzug [express] +next Monday, which starts about 11 in the morning from Brunswick, +and brings you to Buckeburg in less than three hours. From here +it will only take you thirty-five minutes to get to Eilsen. The +most simple plan for you would be not to write to me beforehand +even, but to improvise your programme according to your fancy +here. Only let me beg you not to arrive later than Monday +evening, so that the public may be free from anxiety, and to set +my responsibility perfectly at rest in a corner of your harp- +case. + +May I beg you, Mademoiselle, to remember me affectionately to +your father? and be assured of the pleasure it will be to see +you, hear you, and admire you anew, to your sincere and devoted +servant, + +F. Liszt + +Eilsen, July 3rd, 1851 + +I beg you once more not to be later than next Monday, July 7th, +in coming to Eilsen. + + + +77. To Rosalie Spohr + +I am deeply sensible of your charming lines, Mademoiselle, the +impression of which is the completion for me of the harmonious +vibrations of your beautiful talent,--vibrations which are still +resounding in the woods and in your auditors at Eilsen. While +expressing to you my sincere thanks I should reproach myself were +I to forget the piquant and substantial present that your father +has sent me, and I beg you to tell him that we have done all +honor to the savory product of Brunswick industry. The Buckeburg +industry having a certain reputation in petto in the matter of +chocolate, the Princess, who sends her best regards to you and +your family, wishes me to send you a sample, which you will +receive by tomorrow's post. The chocolate, in its quality of a +sedative tonic, will, moreover, not come amiss in the intervals +of your study. + +May I beg you, Mademoiselle, to give my affectionate compliments +to your parents as well as to the clever drawing-historiographer +[The younger sister of the addressee, Ida Spohr, at that time +sixteen years old, who was a most gifted creature, both in +poetry, painting, and music. She died young, at the age of +twenty-four] whom you know? and receive once more the best wishes +of yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Eilsen, July 22nd, 1851 + + + +78. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +Allow me, my dear Mr. Hartel, to make known to you, as a kind of +curiosity, a very long piece I composed last winter on the +chorale "Ad Nos" from the "Prophete." If by chance you should +think well to publish this long Prelude, followed by an equally +long Fugue, I could not be otherwise than much obliged to you; +and I shall take advantage of the circumstance to acquit myself, +in all reverence and friendship, of a dedication to Meyerbeer, +which it has long been my intention to do; and it was only for +want of finding among my works something which would suit him in +some respect, that I have been obliged to defer it till now. I +should be delighted therefore if you would help me to fill up +this gap in the recognition I owe to Meyerbeer; but I dare not +press you too much for fear you may think that my Fugue has more +advantage in remaining unknown to the public in so far that it is +in manuscript, than if it had to submit to the same fate after +having been published by your care. + +In accordance with your obliging promise, I waited from week to +week for the preface that Mr. Wagner has added to his three opera +poems. I should be glad to know how soon you expect to bring them +out, and beg you to be so good as to send me immediately three +copies. + +Believe me, my dear Mr. Hartel, + +Yours affectionately and most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 1st, 1851 + +P.S.--Would it perhaps do to bring out my Fugue on the "Prophete" +as No. 4 of my "Illustrations du Prophete"? That was at least my +first intention. [It was published in that form by Breitkopf and +Hartel.] In the same parcel you will find the piano score of the +"Prophete," which I am very much obliged to you for having lent +me. + + + +79. To Louis Kohler in Konigsberg + +[An important piano teacher and writer on music, and composer of +valuable instructive works (1820-86).] + +Dear Sir, + +The friendly kindness with which you have spoken of a couple of +my latest compositions lays me under an obligation of warm +thanks, which I must no longer delay having the pleasure of +expressing to you. I should be very glad if you find anything +that suits you in my next impending piano publication (the new, +entirely revised edition of my Studies, the "Harmonies Poetiques +et Religieuses," and the two years of "Annees de Pelerinage, +Suite de Compositions," etc.). In any case I shall venture to +send this work, with the request that you will accept it as a +token of my gratitude for the favorable opinion which you +entertain of my artistic efforts. + +At this moment I have to compliment you also very much on your +arrangement of the Hungarian "Volkslieder" [Folk Songs]. For +several years past I have been occupied with a similar work, and +next winter I think of publishing the result of my national +studies in a pretty big volume of "Hungarian Rhapsodies." Your +transcriptions have interested me much through the correct +perception of the melodies, and their elegant though simple +style. + +Senff [The well-known Leipzig music publisher.] showed me also in +manuscript a book of Russian melodies, that seemed to me most +successful. When will it come out? + +If by any chance you have a spare copy of your new work, the +exact title of which I do not remember, but it is somewhat as +follows, "Opern am Clavier" [Operas at the Piano] or "Opern fur +Clavierspieler" [Operas for Pianoforte Players] (or, in French, +"Repertoire d'Opera pour les Pianistes"), I should be much +obliged if you would let me have one. + +Accept, dear sir, my best respects, and believe me + +Yours truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, April 16th, 1852 + + + +80. To Carl Reinecke + +My dear Mr. Reinecke, + +A very good friend of mine, Professor Weyden of Cologne, who has +just been spending a few days with me here, kindly promises to +give you these few lines and to tell you what pleasure your +present of the "Variations on a Theme of Bach" has given me. It +is a very eminent work, and perfectly successful in its actual +form. While complimenting you sincerely upon it, I must also add +my thanks that you have joined my name to it. + +I should have liked to be able to send you some of my new works +for piano, of which I spoke to you before; but, as I have been +altering them and touching them up, the publication of them has +been delayed; nevertheless, I expect that in the course of this +summer the twelve "Grandes Etudes" (definitive edition) and the +"Harmonies Poetiques et Religieuses" will successively appear, +and in December or January next the "Annees de Pelerinage, Suite +de Compositions pour le Piano," and the complete collection of my +"Hungarian Rhapsodies." Meanwhile, let me offer you the "Concert +Solo" and the two Polonaises which were written at Eilsen shortly +after your visit to me there. + +Joachim starts tomorrow for London, and I have commissioned him +to persuade you to come and see me at Weymar on his return. I +have been much attached to him this winter, and I hold his talent +as well as himself in high esteem and true sympathy.-- + +Try not to delay too long the pleasure I should have in hearing +your trio; I shall be delighted to make the acquaintance of +Madame Reinecke, and would not wish to be among the last to +congratulate you on your happiness. + +In cordial friendship, yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, April 16th, 1852 + + + +81. To Carl Czerny + +[Autograph in the archives of the Musik-Verein in Vienna.] + +My dearest and most honored Master and Friend, + +A melancholy event which has thrown our Court into deep mourning- +-the sudden death of the Duchess Bernard of Saxe-Weimar--has not +allowed of my presenting your letter to Her Imperial Highness the +Grand Duchess until a day or two ago. She has been pleased to +receive your letter and your intentions with marked kindness, the +expression of which you will find in the accompanying letter +which she charged Baron de Vitzthum to write you in her name. + +May I beg you then to advise Mr. Schott to send me immediately on +the publication of your "Gradus ad Parnassum" a dedication copy, +which I will get suitably bound in velvet here, and which I will +immediately remit to H.I.H.--As regards the form of dedication, I +advise you to choose the most simple:-- + +Gradus ad Parnassum, etc., + +Compose et tres respectueusement dedie a Son Altesse Imperiale et +Royale Madame la Grande Duchesse de Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach Marie +Paulowna, par Ch. Czerny. + +[Composed and most respectfully dedicated to Her Royal and +Imperial Highness Marie Paulowna, Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar- +Eisenach by Ch. Czerny.] + +Or if the title be in German:-- + +Componirt und I. kais. kon. Hoheit der Frau Grossherzogin zu +Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach Marie Paulowna, in tiefster Ehrfurcht +gewidmet, von C. Cz. + +What you tell me of the prodigious activity of your Muse obliges +me to make a somewhat shameful acknowledgment of my relative +slowness and idleness. The pupil is far from the master in this +as in other points. Nevertheless I think I have made a better use +of the last three years than of the preceding ones; for one thing +I have gone through a rather severe work of revision, and have +remodeled entirely several of my old works (amongst others the +Studies which are dedicated to you, and of which I will send you +a copy of the definitive edition in a few weeks, and the "Album +d'un Voyageur," which will reappear very considerably corrected, +increased, and transformed under the title of "Annees de +Pelerinage, Suite de Compositions pour le Piano-Suisse et +Italie"): for another thing I have been continuing writing in +proportion as ideas came to me, and I fancy I have arrived at +last at that point where the style is adequate to the thought. +Unfortunately my outside occupations absorb much of my time. The +orchestra and opera of Weymar were greatly in need of reform and +of stirring up. The remarkable and extraordinary works to which +our theater owes its new renown--"Tannhauser," "Lohengrin," +"Benvenuto Cellini"--required numerous rehearsals, which I could +not give into the hands of anybody else. The day before yesterday +a very pretty work, in an elegant and simple melodic style, was +given for the first time--"Der lustige Rath," [The Merry +Councillor (or counsel)] by Mr. de Vesque, which met with +complete success. Carl Haslinger, who had arrived for the first +performance of "Cellini," was also present at this, and can tell +you about it. In the interval between these two works, on Sunday +last, he had his Cantata-Symphony "Napoleon" performed, and +conducted it himself (as a rather severe indisposition has +obliged me to keep my room for several days). + +In the course of the month of June my mother, who proposes to pay +a visit to her sister at Gratz, will have the privilege of going +to see you, dear master, and of renewing to you, in my name and +her own, our expressions of sincere gratitude to you for the +numerous kindnesses you have shown me. Believe me that the +remembrance of them is as lively as it is constant in my heart. + +I owe you still further thanks for the trouble you have taken to +make Mr. de Hardegg study Schubert's Fantasia, scored by me, and +I beg you to give him my best compliments. It is perhaps to be +regretted that this work, which contains many fine details, +should have been played for the first time in the Salle de +Redoute, so "redoutable" and ungrateful a room for the piano in +general; in a less vast space, such as the salle of the Musik- +Verein, the virtuoso and the work would assuredly have been heard +more to advantage, and if I did not fear to appear indiscreet I +should ask Mr. de Hardegg to play it a second time, in a concert +room of moderate size. + +I have inquired several times as to the talent and the career of +Mr. de Hardegg, in whom I naturally feel an interest from the +fact of the interest you take in him. If by chance he should be +thinking of making a journey to this part of Germany, beg him +from me not to forget me at Weymar. I shall be delighted to make +his acquaintance, and he may be assured of a very affectionate +reception from me. + +Accept, my dear and honored friend, every assurance of my high +esteem, and believe that I shall ever remain + +Your very faithful and grateful + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, April 19th, 1852 + + + +82. To Gustav Schmidt, Capellmeister at Frankfort-on-the-Maine + +[Autograph (without address) in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet +at Valentigney.--The addressee was, in any case, the above- +mentioned (1816-82), finally Court-Capellmeister (conductor) at +Darmstadt, the composer of the operas "Prinz Eugen," "Die Weiber +von Weinsberg," and others.] + +Dear Friend, + +.--. The idea of a Congress of Capellmeisters is indeed a very +judicious one, and from a satisfactory realization of it only +good and better things could result for the present divided state +of music. There is no question that in the insulation and +paralyzing of those who are authorities in Art lies a very +powerful hindrance, which, if it continues, must essentially +injure and endanger Art. Upon certain principles an union is +necessary, so that the results of it may be actively applied, and +it especially behooves Capellmeisters worthily to maintain the +interests of music and musicians. A meeting such as you propose +would be a timely one; only you will approve of my reasons when I +renounce the honor of proposing this meeting for Weimar, and +indicate Spohr to you as the proper head. The master Spohr is our +senior; he has always furthered the cause of music as far as +circumstances at Cassel permitted--the "Fliegender Hollander" was +given at Cassel under his direction earlier than "Tannhauser" was +given at Weymar. Talk it over with him, which from the near +vicinity of Frankfort you can easily do, and if, as I do not +doubt, he enters into your project, fix the date and let me know. +I shall gladly take part in the matter, and will make it my +business to do my share towards bringing about the desired +results. + +"Tannhauser" is announced for the 31st of this month (on occasion +of the presence of Her Majesty the Empress of Russia). Beck takes +the title-role at this performance. We shall give Schumann's +"Manfred" a few days later. For next season the "Fliegender +Hollander" and Spohr's "Faust," with the new Recitatives which he +wrote for London, are fixed. + +Farewell, and happiness attend you, dear friend; remember me +kindly to your wife, and believe me ever + +Yours most sincerely, F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 18th, 1852. + + + +83. To Robert Schumann + +[Autograph in the Royal Library in Berlin.] + +My very dear Friend, + +It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce to you the +first performance of "Manfred" for next Sunday, June 13th, and to +invite you to come to it. ["Manfred" was put on the stage for the +first time by Liszt] I hope that, at this time of year, your +Dusseldorf duties will allow of your coming here for a couple of +days, and that probably you will bring Clara with you, to whom +please remember me very kindly. Should you, however, come alone, +I beg that you will stay with me at the Altenburg, where you can +make yourself perfectly at home. The last rehearsal is fixed for +Friday afternoon; perhaps it would be possible for you to be +present at it, which of course would be very agreeable to me. +Your Leipzig friends will see the announcement of this +performance in the papers, and I think you will consider it your +bounden duty not to be absent from us at this performance. + +Wishing you always from my heart the best spirits for your work, +good health, and "every other good that appertains thereto," I +remain unalterably + +Yours most sincerely, F. Liszt + +Weymar, June 8th, 1852. + + + +84. To Robert Schumann + +[Autograph in the Royal Library in Berlin.] + +My very dear Friend, + +I regret extremely that you could not come to the second +performance [This might perhaps also be read "first +performance."] of your "Manfred," and I believe that you would +not have been dissatisfied with the musical preparation and +performance of that work (which I count among your greatest +successes). The whole impression was a thoroughly noble, deep, +and elevating one, in accordance with my expectations. The part +of Manfred was taken by Herr Potsch, who rendered it in a manly +and intelligent manner. With regard to the mise-en-scene +something might be said; yet it would be unfair not to speak in +praise of the merits of the manager, Herr Genast. It seems to me +therefore that it would be nice of you to write a friendly line +of thanks to Herr Genast, and commission him to compliment Herr +Potsch (Manfred) and the rest of the actors from you. + +One only remark I will permit myself: the introduction music to +the Ahriman chorus (D minor) is too short. Some sixty to a +hundred bars of symphony, such as you understand how to write, +would have a decidedly good effect there. Think the matter over, +and then go fresh to your desk. Ahriman can stand some polyphonic +phrases, and this is an occasion where one may rant and rage away +quite comfortably. + +Shall I send you your manuscript score back, or will you make me +a lovely present of it? I am by no means an autograph-collector, +but the score, if you don't require it any longer, would give me +pleasure. + +A thousand friendly greetings to Clara, and beg your wife to let +me soon hear something of you. + +In truest esteem and friendship, + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, June 26th, 1852 + + + +85. To Peter Cornelius + +[The exquisite poet-composer of the operas "The Barber of +Baghdad," "The Cid," and "Gunlod," which have at last attained +due recognition (1824-74).] + +Weymar, September 4th, 1852 + +It has been a great pleasure to me, my dear Mr. Cornelius, to +make the acquaintance of your brother, and I only regret that he +passed several days here without letting me know of his stay. +Your letter, which reached me through him, has given me a real +pleasure, for which I thank you very affectionately. Short though +our acquaintance has been, I am pleased to think that it has been +long enough to establish between us a tie which years will +strengthen without changing the natural and reciprocal charm. I +congratulate you very sincerely in having put the fine season to +so good a use by finishing the church compositions you had +planned. That is an admirable field for you, and I strongly +advise you not to give in till you have explored it with love and +valor for several years. I think that, both by the elevation and +the depth of your ideas, the tenderness of your feelings, and +your deep studies, you are eminently fitted to excel in the +religious style, and to accomplish its transformation so far as +is nowadays required by our intelligence being more awake and our +hearts more astir than at former periods. You have only to +assimilate Palestrina and Bach--then let your heart speak, and +you will be able to say with the prophet, "I speak, for I +believe; and I know that our God liveth eternally." + +We spoke with your brother about your vocation for composing +religious--Catholic music. He enters thoroughly into this idea, +and will give you help to realize it under outer conditions +favorable to you. Munster, Cologne, and Breslau appeared to us to +be the three places for the present where you would find the +least obstacles in the way of establishing your reputation and +making a position. But before you go to the Rhine I hope you will +do me the pleasure of coming to see me here. The room adjoining +that which Mr. de Bulow occupies is entirely at your service, and +it will be a pleasure to me if you will settle yourself there +without any ceremony, and will come and dine regularly with us +like an inhabitant of the Altenburg. The theatrical season +recommences on Sunday next, September 12th, with Verdi's +"Ernani." In the early days of October (at the latest) +"Lohengrin" will be given again; and on the 12th of November I +expect a visit from Berlioz, who will spend a week at Weymar. +Then we shall have "Cellini," the Symphony of Romeo and Juliet, +and some pieces from the Faust Symphony. + +Kindest regards from yours ever, + +F. Liszt + + + +86. To Clara Schumann + +Weymar, September 11th, 1852. + +It is not without regret that I obey your wish, Madame, in +returning to you the autograph score of "Manfred," for I confess +that I had flattered myself a little in petto that Robert would +leave it with me in virtue of possession in a friendly manner. +Our theater possesses an exact copy, which will serve us for +subsequent performances of "Manfred;" I was tempted to send you +this copy, which, for revision of proofs, would be sufficient, +but I know not what scruple of honor kept me from doing so. +Perhaps you will find that it is possible generously to encourage +my slightly wavering virtue, and in that case you will have no +trouble in guessing what would be to me a precious reward... + +How is Robert's health? Have the sea baths done him good? I hope +he will soon be restored all right to his home circle--and to his +composing desk.-- + +It would have been very pleasant to me to renew our visit of last +year to you at Dusseldorf, and I was indeed touched by the +gracious remembrance of it which your letter gives me; but, alas! +an unfortunate accident which has happened to my mother, by which +she nearly broke her leg in coming downstairs, has obliged her to +keep her bed for more than nine weeks, and even now she can only +walk with the help of crutches, and it will be some months before +she is all right again. + +Forced as she was to remain at Weymar, I have not liked to leave +her all this summer, and had to give up the pleasure of a holiday +excursion.--The Princess Wittgenstein, and her daughter (who has +become a tall and charming young girl), desire me to give their +very affectionate remembrances to you and Robert, to which 1 add +my most sincere wishes for the speedy restoration of our friend, +and cordial assurances of my constant friendship. + +F. Liszt + + + +87. To Carl Czerny + +[Autograph in the archives of the Musik-Verein in Vienna. The +date is wanting; it may be placed, judging from Liszt's letter of +October 30th, 1852, at the above-mentioned date.] + +[September or October, 1852] + +My Dear, Honored Master And Friend, + +Permit me to recommend particularly to you Professor Jahn [The +afterwards celebrated biographer of Mozart], with whose many +interesting works of criticism and musical literature you are +doubtless familiar (among others his Introduction to the original +score of Beethoven's "Leonora," published by Hartel in Leipzig). + +Mr. Jahn's object in going to Vienna is to collect documents for +a biography of Beethoven, which will, I am persuaded, supply a +want so much felt hitherto by the public and by artists. May I +beg you--in honor of the great man whom you have had the merit of +comprehending and admiring, long before the common herd joined in +chorus around his name--to open the treasures of your +reminiscences and knowledge to Mr. Jahn, and accept beforehand my +sincere thanks for the good service you will render to Art in +this matter? + +It is with unchangeable attachment that I remain, dear master, +your very grateful and devoted + +F. Liszt + +P.S.--When will the "Gradus ad Parnassum" come out?--You will +receive the copy of my Studies, which are dedicated to you, +through Mr. Lowy in a few days. + + + +88. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney] + +Weymar, October 30th, 1852 + +My Dear Mr. Hartel, + +I have given up to a friend the piano which you have been so good +as to lend me for some years, and he (as I have already informed +you verbally) asks me to let him defer the payment of it till the +end of this month. I therefore take this opportunity of proposing +to you either to let you immediately have the sum fixed upon for +the piano (400 thalers), or else to make a settlement of +reciprocal terms up to now, by which we shall be quits towards +each other. The pleasure and advantage which I find in my +relations with your house are too valuable to me for me not to do +all in my power properly to maintain them, by conforming to your +wishes and intentions. Of my works published by your house there +are, if I mistake not, five-- + +12 Etudes d'execution transcendante (2 books), 6 Etudes d'apres +Paganini (2 books), Grand Concerto Solo, Fantaisie and Fugue on +the Chorale from the Prophete (No. 4 of the "Illustrations du +Prophete"), Mass (with Pater Noster and Ave Maria) for four male +voices with organ accompaniment + +--upon which we have deferred putting a price until now. Without +trying to deceive myself as to the moderate returns which these +(as it happens, rather voluminous) works may bring to your house, +I should venture however to flatter myself that they have not +been an expense to you, and that they are even works not unsuited +to your catalogue. However things may be, I beg you to be so good +as to use towards me the same sincerity that I employ towards +you, persuaded as I am that sincerity is the only basis of any +lasting connection, especially when one has to do with things +which divers circumstances may render more delicate and +complicated. Allow me then at last, my dear Mr. Hartel, to +propose to you to square our accounts by my keeping your piano in +exchange for the above-mentioned five manuscripts, which should +also acquit me for the works of Marx and Kiesewetter that you +have sent me, so that, if my proposition suits you, we should be +entirely quits. + +I was glad to hear that Mr. Jahn had had occasion to be satisfied +with his journey to Vienna, and I beg you to assure him that I am +entirely at his disposal with regard to any steps to be taken to +help on his work on Beethoven, for which I am delighted to be of +any service to him. + +In a fortnight's time I am expecting Mr. Berlioz here. The +performances of "Benvenuto Cellini" will take place on the 18th +and 20th November, and on the 21st the Symphonies of "Romeo and +Juliet" and "Faust" will be performed, which I proposed to you to +publish. If your numerous occupations would allow of your coming +here for the 20th and 21st I am certain that it would be a great +interest to you to hear these exceptional works, of which it is a +duty and an honor to me not to let Weymar be in ignorance. + +Will you, my dear Mr. Hartel, accept this information as an +invitation, and also tell your brother, Mr. Raymond, what +pleasure a visit from him would give me during the Berlioz week? +We shall, moreover, be at that time in good and romantic company +of artists and critics from all points, meeting at Weymar. + +I will send you shortly my Catalogue, which you will greatly +oblige me by bringing out without very much delay. The dispersion +and confusion through which my works have had to make their way +hitherto have done them harm, over and above any wrong that they +already had by themselves; it is therefore of some importance to +classify them, and to present to the public a categorical insight +into what little I am worth. As I have promised to send this +catalogue to many people living in all sorts of countries, I beg +that you will put to my account, not gratis, some sixty copies, +which I fear will not be enough for me, but which will at least +serve to lessen the cost of printing. + +In this connection allow me to recur to a plan of which I have +already spoken to you--the publication in German of my book on +Chopin. Has Mr. Weyden of Cologne written to you, and have you +come to terms with him on this subject? The last time he wrote to +me he told me that he had not yet had an answer from you. As he +is equally master of French and German, and as he thoroughly +succeeded in his translation of my pamphlet on "Tannhauser and +Lohengrin," I should be glad for the translation of Chopin to be +done by him; and in case you decide to publish his work please +put me down for fifty copies. + +Pray excuse this long letter, my dear Mr. Hartel, and believe me +very sincerely, + +Yours affectionately and devotedly, + +F. Liszt + + + +89. To Breitkopf and Hartel + +[Autograph in the possession of M. J. Crepieux-Jamin at Rouen.] + +My dear Mr. Hartel, + +I thank you very heartily for the fresh proof of your kind +intentions towards me which your last letter gives me, and I +hasten to return to you herewith the two papers with my signature +by which our little accounts are thus settled. With regard to the +extra account of about eighty crowns, which I thank you for +having sent me by the same opportunity, I will not delay the +paying of it either. Only, as it contains several things which +have been got by the theater management (such as "Athalie," the +piano scores of "Lohengrin," Schubert's Symphony, etc.), you will +allow me to leave it a few days longer, so that I may get back +the sum which is due to me,--and which, till the present time, I +was not aware of having been placed to my account, thinking +indeed that these various works for which I had written for the +use of the theater had long ago been paid for by the +management.-- + +I beg that you will kindly excuse this confusion, of which I am +only guilty quite unawares. + +With regard to the publication of the "Pater Noster" and of the +"Ave Maria," please do it entirely to your own mind, and I have +no other wish in the matter but that the "Pater" should not be +separated from the "Ave," on account of the former being so small +a work; but whether you publish these two pieces with the Mass, +or whether they appear separately (the two being in any case kept +together), either of these arrangements will suit me equally +well. For more convenience I have had them bound in one, as +having been written at the same time and as belonging to the same +style.--Berlioz has just written me word that he will probably +arrive here two or three days sooner--and the proprietors of our +repertoire have fixed the 17th November (instead of the 18th) for +the first performance of the revival of "Cellini." Immediately +after he is gone I will put in order the Catalogue that you are +kindly bringing out, and which I should be glad to be able to +distribute about before the end of the winter. You shall have the +manuscript before Christmas.-- + +As Mr. Weyden has been a friend of mine for several years I may +be permitted to recommend him to you, and have pleasure in hoping +that your relations with him, on occasion of the translation of +the Chopin volume, will be of an easy and agreeable nature. [The +German translation of the work was not done until it appeared, by +La Mara, in 1880, after the publication of a second edition.] + +Pray accept once more, my dear Mr. Hartel, my best thanks, +together with every assurance of the sincere affection of + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +November l0th, 1852 + + + +90. To Professor Julius Stern in Berlin + +[1820-83; founder of the Stern Vocal Union (which he conducted +from 1847-74), and of the Stern Conservatorium (1850), which he +directed, firstly with Marx and Kullak, and since 1857 alone.] + +November 24th, 1852. + +My dear Mr. Stern, + +I hope you will excuse my delay in replying to your friendly +lines, for which I thank you very affectionately. Mr. Joachim was +absent when they reached me, and all this last week has been +extremely filled up for Weymar (and for me in particular) by the +rehearsals and performance of Berlioz's works. Happily our +efforts have been rewarded by a success most unanimous and of the +best kind. Berlioz was very well satisfied with his stay at +Weymar, and I, for my part, felt a real pleasure in being +associated with that which he experienced in the reception +accorded to him by the Court, our artists, and the public. As +this week has, according to my idea, a real importance as regards +Art, allow me, my dear Mr. Stern, to send you, contrary to my +usual custom, the little resume that the Weymar Gazette has made +of the affair, which will put you very exactly au courant of what +took place. You will oblige me by letting Schlesinger see it +also, and he will perhaps do me the pleasure of letting the +Berlin public have it through his paper (The Echo). + +I did not fail to conform to the wish expressed in your last +letter, immediately that Joachim returned to Weymar, and I urged +him much to accept the proposition you have made him to take part +in the concert of the 13th of December. You know what high esteem +I profess for Joachim's talent, and when you have heard him I am +certain you will find that my praises of him latterly are by no +means exaggerated. He is an artist out of the common, and one who +may legitimately aspire to a glorious reputation. + +Moreover he has a thoroughly loyal nature, a distinguished mind, +and a character endowed with a singular charm in its rectitude +and earnestness. + +The question of fee being somewhat embarrassing for him to enter +into with you, I have taken upon myself to speak to you about it +without any long comment, and to mention to you the sum of twenty +to twenty-five louis d'or as what seems to me fair. If Joachim +had already been in Berlin, or if his stay there could take place +at the same time with some other pecuniary advantage, I feel sure +that he would take a pleasure in offering you his co-operation +for nothing; but in the position he is in now, not intending at +present to give concerts in Berlin, and not having as yet any +direct relations with you, I think you will appreciate the +motives which lead me to fix this sum with you... + +If, as I hope, you do not consider it out of proportion, please +simply to be so good as to write a few lines to Joachim direct, +to tell him what day he ought to be in Berlin for the rehearsal +of your concert, so that he may ask a little beforehand for his +holiday from here. + +Will you also please give my best regards to Th. Kullak? I have +had the opportunity of talking rather fully about him these last +days with two of his pupils, Princesses Anne and Louise (of +Prussia), and also with their mother, Princess Charles. Mr. Marx +(to whom I beg you to remember me kindly, until I write more +fully to him about the performance of his "Moses") will shortly +receive a letter from Mr. Montag, whom I have begged to bring +with him the arrangements relating to the song parts, which Mr. +Marx will be so kind as to lend us. Probably this oratorio can be +given here towards the end of next January or the middle of next +February, and as soon as the rehearsals are sufficiently advanced +I shall write to Marx to give him positive tidings and to invite +him to pay us a short visit at Weymar. + +A thousand frank and cordial regards from + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +You probably already know that Joachim is leaving Weymar to +settle in Hanover at the beginning of next year. + + + +91. To Wilhelm von Lenz in St. Petersburg + +[A well-known writer on music and especially on Beethoven; +Imperial Russian Councillor of State (1809-83).] + +I am doubly in your debt, my dear Lenz (you will allow me, will +you not, to follow your example by dropping the Mr.?), firstly +for your book, ["Beethoven and his Three Styles" (St. Petersburg, +1852).] so thoroughly imbued with that sincere and earnest +passion for the Beautiful without which one can never penetrate +to the heart of works of genius; and, secondly, for your friendly +letter, which reached me shortly after I had got your book, the +notice of which had very much excited my curiosity. That I have +put off replying to you till now is not merely on account of my +numerous occupations, which usually preclude my having the +pleasure of correspondence, but chiefly on account of you and +your remarkable work, which I wanted to read at leisure, in order +to get from it the whole substance of its contents. You cannot +find it amiss that it has given me much to reflect upon, and you +will easily understand that I shall have much to say to you on +this subject--so much that, to explain all my thoughts, I should +have to make another book to match yours--or, better still, +resume our lessons of twenty years ago, when the master learned +so much from the pupil,--discuss pieces in hand, the meaning, +value, import, of a large number of ideas, phrases, episodes, +rhythms, harmonic progressions, developments, artifices;--I +should have to have a good long talk with you, in fact, about +minims and crotchets, quavers and semi-quavers,--not forgetting +the rests which, if you please, are by no means a trifling +chapter when one professes to go in seriously for music, and for +Beethoven in particular. + +The friendly remembrance that you have kept of our talks, under +the name of lessons, of the Rue Montholon, is very dear to me, +and the flattering testimony your book gives to those past hours +encourages me to invite you to continue them at Weymar, where it +would be at once so pleasant and so interesting to see you for +some weeks or months, ad libitum, so that we might mutually edify +ourselves with Beethoven. Just as we did twenty years ago, we +shall agree all at once, I am certain, in the generality of +cases; and, more than we were then, shall we each of us be in a +position to make further steps forward in the exoteric region of +Art.--For the present allow me, at the risk of often repeating +myself hereafter, to compliment you most sincerely on your +volume, which will be a chosen book and a work of predilection +for people of taste, and particularly for those who feel and +understand music. Artists and amateurs, professors and pupils, +critics and virtuosi; composers and theorists--all will have +something to gain from it, and a part to take in this feast of +attractive instruction that you have prepared for them. What +ingenious traits, what living touches, what well-dealt blows, +what new and judiciously adapted imagery should I not have to +quote, were I to enter in detail into your pages, so different +from what one usually reads on similar subjects! In your +arguments, and in the intrinsic and extrinsic proofs you adduce, +what weight--without heaviness, what solidity--without stiffness, +of strong and wholesome criticism--without pedantry! Ideas are +plentiful in this by turns incisive, brilliant, reflected, and +spontaneous style, in which learning comes in to enhance and +steady the flow of a lively and luxuriant imagination. To all the +refinement and subtle divination common to Slavic genius, you +ally the patient research and learned scruples which characterize +the German explorer. You assume alternately the gait of the mole +and of the eagle--and everything you do succeeds wonderfully, +because amid your subterranean maneuvers and your airy flights +you constantly preserve, as your own inalienable property, so +much wit and knowledge, good sense and free fancy. If you had +asked me to find a motto for your book I should have proposed +this, + +"Inciter et initier," + +as best summing up, according to my ideas, the aim that you +fulfill by your twofold talent of distinguished writer and +musician ex professo. It is really curious to observe how the +well-known saying, "It is from the north that light comes to us +today," has been verified lately with regard to musical +literature. After Mr. Oulibicheff had endowed us with a Mozart, +here come you with a Beethoven. Without attempting to compare two +works which are in so many respects as different and separate as +the two heroes chosen by their respective historiographers, it is +nevertheless natural that your name should be frequently +associated with that of Mr. Oulibicheff--for each is an honor to +Art and to his country. This circumstance, however, does not do +away with your right to lecture Mr. Oulibicheff very wittily, and +with a thorough knowledge of the subject, for having made of +Mozart a sort of Dalai-Lama, [The head of the temporal and +spiritual power in Thibet (Translator's note)] beyond which there +is nothing. In all this polemical part (pp. 26, 27, etc.), as in +many other cases, I am entirely of your opinion, with all due +justice to the talents and merits of your compatriot. From a +reading of the two works, Mozart and Beethoven, it is evident +that, if the studies, predilections, and habits of mind of Mr. +Oulibicheff have perfectly predisposed him to accomplish an +excellent work in its entirety, yours, my dear Lenz, have led you +to a sort of intimacy, the familiarity of which nourished a sort +of religious exaltation, with the genius of Beethoven. Mr. +Oulibicheff in his method proceeds more as proprietor and +professor; you more as poet and lawyer. But, whatever may be said +about this or that hiatus in your work, the plan of which has +confined you disadvantageously to the analysis of the piano +sonatas, and however much people may think themselves justified +in cavilling at you about the distribution of your materials, the +chief merit, which none could refuse you without injustice, is +that you have really understood Beethoven, and have succeeded in +making your imagination adequate to his by your intuitive +penetration into the secrets of his genius. + +For us musicians, Beethoven's work is like the pillar of cloud +and fire which guided the Israelites through the desert--a pillar +of cloud to guide us by day, a pillar of fire to guide us by +night, "so that we may progress both day and night." His +obscurity and his light trace for us equally the path we have to +follow; they are each of them a perpetual commandment, an +infallible revelation. Were it my place to categorize the +different periods of the great master's thoughts, as manifested +in his Sonatas, Symphonies, and Quartets, I should certainly not +fix the division into three styles, which is now pretty generally +adopted and which you have followed; but, simply recording the +questions which have been raised hitherto, I should frankly weigh +the great question which is the axis of criticism and of musical +aestheticism at the point to which Beethoven has led us--namely, +in how far is traditional or recognized form a necessary +determinant for the organism of thought?-- + +The solution of this question, evolved from the works of +Beethoven himself, would lead me to divide this work, not into +three styles or periods,--the words "style" and "period" being +here only corollary subordinate terms, of a vague and equivocal +meaning,--but quite logically into two categories: the first, +that in which traditional and recognized form contains and +governs the thought of the master; and the second, that in which +the thought stretches, breaks, recreates, and fashions the form +and style according to its needs and inspirations. Doubtless in +proceeding thus we arrive in a direct line at those incessant +problems of "authority" and "liberty." But why should they alarm +us? In the region of liberal arts they do not, happily, bring in +any of the dangers and disasters which their oscillations +occasion in the political and social world; for, in the domain of +the Beautiful, Genius alone is the authority, and hence, Dualism +disappearing, the notions of authority and liberty are brought +back to their original identity.--Manzoni, in defining genius as +"a stronger imprint of Divinity," has eloquently expressed this +very truth.-- + +This is indeed a long letter, my dear Lenz, and as yet I am only +at the preliminaries. Let us then pass on to the Deluge,--and +come and see me at Weymar, where we can chat as long and fully as +we like of these things in the shade of our fine park. If a +thrush chances to come and sing I shall take advantage of the +circumstance to make, en passant, some groundless quarrels with +you on some inappropriate terms which one meets with here and +there in your book,--as, for example, the employment of the word +"scale" (ut, fa, la, etc.) instead of arpeggio chord; or, again, +on your inexcusable want of gallantry which leads you maliciously +to bracket the title of "Mamselle" (!) on to such and such a +Diva, a proceeding which will draw down upon you the wrath of +these divinities and of their numerous admirers. But I can assure +you beforehand that there are far more nightingales than thrushes +in our park; and, similarly, in your book the greater number of +pages, judiciously thought out and brilliantly written, carry the +day so well in worth and valor over any thinly scattered +inattentions or negligences, that I join with my whole heart in +the concert of praise to which you have a right. + +Pray accept, my dear Lenz, the most sincere expressions of +feeling and best thanks of + +Your very affectionate and obliged + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 2nd, 1852 + +As Madame Bettina d'Arnim has been passing some weeks at Weymar, +I let her know about your book. Feeling sure that the good +impression it has made on her would be a pleasure to you to hear, +I begged her to confirm it by a few lines, which I enclose +herewith.-- + + + +92. To Robert Radecke in Leipzig + +[Printed in the Neue Berliner Musik-Zeitung, November 20th, +1890.--The addressee, afterwards Conductor of the Royal Opera, +and present Director of the Royal Academical Institute for Church +Music in Berlin, was formerly Vice-director of the Leipzig +"Singacademie" with Ferdinand David, and, intoxicated with the +first performance of Berlioz's Faust at Weimar, he had determined +to give such another in the Vocal Union of which he was Co- +director. With this object he begged Liszt for the score. But the +plan was not carried out, as Radecke exchanged his post at New +Year, 1853, for that of a Music Director at the Leipzig Town +theater.] + +Best thanks, dear Radecke, for your letter and the approved good +intention. + +The "Faust" score will be at your service with great pleasure as +soon as I have got it back from Berlioz. It is probable that the +copy which Berlioz will see about for me in Paris will be ready +by Christmas, so that I shall be able to send it you soon after +New Year. + +In the course of the winter I intend also to give a performance +of the little oratorio "La Fuite en Egypte," attributed to the +imaginary Maitre de Chapelle Pierre Ducre. This graceful and +interesting work should meet with approbation in Leipzig, and +offers no difficulty either for voice or orchestra. If you keep +the secret, and let your Gesangverein [Vocal Union] study it +under the name of Pierre Ducre, a composer of the sixteenth +century, I am convinced that it will not fail to make an effect. + +[Liszt's playful suggestion about the Flight into Egypt was based +upon the fact that Berlioz, on its first performance, had +mystified the Paris public and brought forward the work under the +feigned name of Pierre Ducre, the organist of the Sainte Chapelle +in Paris in the year 1679.] + +Joachim goes the day after tomorrow to Berlin; Cossmann is in +Paris; and Nabich [The first trombone player of the Weimar +orchestra, and a most admirable performer on his instrument.] is +performing in London, Liverpool, and Manchester. None the less we +are giving "Tannhauser" next Sunday (12th) (with subscriptions +suspended!), and for this occasion the entire Finale of the +second act and the new ending of the third will be studied. + +Now farewell, and be active and cheerful, is the wish of yours +most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +December 9th, 1852 + + + +93. To Bernhard Cossmann + +[Weimar, December, 1852.] + +[The date and ending of the letter are wanting, but from its +contents it may be ascribed to this date.] + +Thanks, dear friend, for your kind few lines, which have given me +sincere pleasure. Joachim is not yet back from Berlin, and Beck +[The chief tenor (hero-tenor) at the Court Opera] has again got +his old attack of the throat, and I fear rather seriously, from +which these six years of cures, it appears, have not succeeded in +curing him radically. In consequence of this dearth of tenors, +the performances of Wagner's and Berlioz's operas are going to be +put off till February, when I hope that Tichatschek will be able +to come from Dresden and sing "Tannhauser," "Lohengrin," and the +"Flying Dutchman." + +As for Cellini [Berlioz's opera]; we shall unfortunately have to +wait until Dr. Lieber, the new tenor engaged for next season, at +present at the Cologne theater, has learnt the part. I hear +Lieber's voice highly spoken of, and it seems that he possesses +also a dose of intelligence sufficient to understand how he ought +to behave here.-- + +In the matter of news I have one small item to give you--namely, +that on your return your salary will be raised fifty crowns, to +make the round sum of four hundred.--Laub [Ferdinand Laub, a +noteworthy violinist, was engaged for the 1st of January, 1853, +as Joachim's successor as Concertmeister at Weimar.] will arrive +very shortly, and accepts the propositions which have been made +to him. He will not be... + + + +94. To Wilhelm Fischer, Chorus Director in Dresden + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Otto Lessmann at +Charlottenburg.--The addressee was an intimate friend of Wagner's +("Letters to Uhlig, Fischer, and Heine"--Leipzig, Breitkopf and +Hartel, 1889).] + +Dear Sir, + +By today's post I have sent you a minutely corrected copy of the +score of the "Flying Dutchman." + +As this copy was my own property (Wagner had left it for me after +his stay here in 1869) I could not suppose that Uhlig could +expect it back from me as a theater score. The last letter from +Wagner to me has made the matter clear, and I place this score +with pleasure at his further disposal. I have replied to Wagner +direct and fully; he is therefore aware that I have sent you my +copy. [For fuller particulars about this see the "Wagner-Liszt +Correspondence," vol. i., pp. 207-9.] + +Allow me to beg you kindly to make my excuses to Herr Heine +[Ferdinand Heine, Court actor and costumier, famous through +Wagner's letters to him.] that I do not answer his letter just +now. His indulgent opinion of our Lohengrtn performance is very +flattering to me; I hope that by degrees we shall deserve still +better the praise which comes to us from many sides: meanwhile, +as the occasion of his writing was just the matter of the +"Hollander" score, and as this is now quite satisfactorily +settled, it does not require any further writing. + +With best regards, yours truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 13th, 1853 + +Is Tichatschek coming to our "Lohengrin" performance in February? +Please beg him to try to do so. On Weymar's side nothing will be +neglected, and it will be a real joy to us both. + + + +95. To Edmund Singer + +[Formerly Concertmeister at Weimar; at present Court +Concertmeister and Professor at the Stuttgart Conservatorium.] + +Dear Sir, + +I thank you much for your friendly letter, and commission Herr +Gleichauf (in whom you will recognize an admirable viola +virtuoso) to persuade you not to retract your promised visit to +me at Weymar. It would be very pleasant to me to be able to keep +you here a longer time, yet I doubt whether you would be +satisfied with such a modest post as our administrative +circumstances warrant. When we have an opportunity we will talk +further of this; meanwhile it will be a pleasure to me to see and +hear you again. Laub's acquaintance will also interest you; he +has just been playing some pieces with a really extraordinary +virtuosity and bravura, so that we have all become quite warm +about it. + +Come, then, as soon as you have a couple of spare days, and be +assured beforehand of the most friendly reception. + +With my very best regards, + +Yours truly, + +F. Liszt + +Saturday, January 15th, 1853 + + + +96. To Frau Dr. Lidy Steche in Leipzig + +[The addressee sang for two winters in the Gewandhaus concerts +(as Frl. Angermann). After her marriage she started a Vocal +Union, in the forties, with which, in December 1853, she gave so +excellent a pianoforte performance of "Lohengrin" at her own +house, and afterwards at the Minerva "lodge," that Hoplit, in his +account of stage performances (Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik), spoke +of the Steche undertaking as a "model performance." This was +before the performance of "Lohengrin" at the Leipzig theater in +January 1854.] + +My dear Madame, + +I have the pleasure of answering your inquiries in regard to the +performances of the Wagner operas with the following dates:-- + +For next Wednesday, February 16th, the birthday of H.R.H. the +Grand Duchess, the first performance of the "Flying Dutchman" is +fixed. (N. B.--For that evening all the places are already taken, +and, as a great many strangers are coming, it will be difficult +to find suitable rooms in Weymar.) The following Sunday, February +20th, the "Flying Dutchman" will be repeated; and on the 27th +(Sunday) "Tannhauser" is promised, and on March 5th (Saturday) +"Lohengrin." Between these two performances of February 27th and +March 5th the third performance of the "Flying Dutchman" will +probably take place, of which I can give you more positive +information at the end of this week. The Wagner week proper +begins therefore with February 27th and closes with March 5th, +and if it were possible to you to devote a whole week to these +three glorious works of art I should advise you to get here by +the 27th,--or, better still for you (as you are already quite +familiar with "Tannhauser"), to come in time for the third +performance of the "Flying Dutchman," the date of which is still +somewhat uncertain, but which will probably be fixed for the 2nd +or 3rd March. Immediately after the first performance we shall +get quite clear about it, and I will not fail to let you know +officially the result of the theater Conference here (in which I +am not concerned). + +Accept, my dear Madame, the assurance of the high esteem of + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 4th, 1853 + + + +97. To Gustav Schmidt, Capellmeister at Frankfort-On-The-Maine + +[Autograph (without address) in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet +at Valentigney.--The contents show to whom the letter was +addressed.] + +Dear Friend, + +Berlioz's two symphonies, "Romeo and Juliet" and "Faust," have +been twice given here in the course of this winter with the +utmost success. Berlioz was so good as to lend me the score and +parts,--but with the express condition that they should not go +out of my hands. When, at the request of the Leipzig Academy of +Singing [Singacademie], I asked him some weeks ago whether he +would not allow me to place "Faust" at the disposal of the +Leipzig Institute for a proposed performance, he replied to me as +follows:-- + +"Considering the deplorable performances of which my works have +often been the victims both in Germany and elsewhere, I have +resolved never to lend them in manuscript. Moreover there are +enough of my works printed in score and in separate parts (the +three Symphonies, several Overtures, the 5th May, the Requiem, +etc.) to make it unnecessary to seek for others. If I made an +exception for you," ["Pour toi." Showing that Liszt and Berlioz +employed the "tutoyer" towards one another.] etc... + +Although I was perfectly certain that the Leipzig performance +would be a very satisfactory one, as many of my friends took a +lively interest in it, and although I have not the least doubt +that you would be anxious to give "Faust" its full value in +Frankfort, yet you see from the above lines of Berlioz that I, to +my regret, dare not risk any further application to him in this +matter. "Faust," moreover, will appear in score this year in +Paris, and I sent Berlioz his manuscript back a short time ago. + +Should you be disposed to perform something or other of Berlioz's +in Frankfort, I can recommend you, first of all, most warmly:- + +The two Overtures to "Cellini" and the "Carnaval Romain"; + +Two numbers out of the Symphony "Romeo and Juliet" -the feast at +Capulet's house and the Queen Mab (Scherzo); + +And two Marches from the "Harold" Symphony and the "Symphonie +Fantastique"-the March of the Pilgrims and the "Marche de +Supplice" ["March on the Way to Execution"]. + +But it will be necessary for you to have several rehearsals--and +indeed separate rehearsals for the quartet, and separate +rehearsals for the wind instruments. + +The effect of Berlioz's works can only be uncommonly good when +the performance of them is satisfactory. + +They are equally unsuited to the ordinary worthy theater and +concert maker, because they require a higher artistic standpoint +from the musician's side. + +I looked through Kittl's [1809-68. Director of the Prague +Conservatorium.] opera some years ago in a piano arrangement, +and, between ourselves, I do not think the work will last. Kittl +is a personal friend of mine, and I should have been glad to be +able to give his work here; but...nevertheless...etc., etc. + +Raff's "King Alfred" is a much more successful and important +work; and, without wishing to injure Kittl, there is in Raff +quite other musical stuff and grist. [Steckt doch in Raff ein +ganz anderer musikalischer Kern and Kerl: untranslatable play on +words.] + +During your last stay in Weymar I spoke to you of Vesque's new +opera "Der lustige Rath." Various local circumstances have +delayed the performance at Vienna of this really pretty, nicely +worked out opera. The mise-en-scene does not require any special +efforts; the piece only requires a somewhat piquant and not +unskillful soprano singer. Altogether the opera appears to me to +be written in a charming style, not too superficially +conservative, and to be one of the best among the new operas +mezzo-carattere. In case you still have time and are not +indisposed to give the opera in Frankfort, I can send you the +score. You would do Vesque an essential service if you could give +the opera soon, and would have friendly relations with him, for +Vesque is a cultivated, intelligent, and first-rate man. [Vesque +von Puttlingen (pseudonym, Hoven), 1803-83, Councillor of the +Austrian Foreign Ministry, composer of songs and operas.] There +are not too many such! + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weimar, February 27th, 1853 + + + +98. To Heinrich Brockhaus, Bookseller in Leipzig + +[Published in a German translation: La Mara, "Letters of +Musicians during Five Centuries, vol. ii., 1887.] + +My dear Mr. Brockhaus, + +In thanking you for your kind mention of the notice joined to my +name in the Conversations Lexikon, I wish above all things not to +go beyond the limits of most scrupulous delicacy, which in these +sorts of things have always appeared to me all the more desirable +to maintain because they are so very often passed. Consequently I +will only allow myself to point out three misstatements of fact +in the article about myself: firstly, my supposed title of ex-St. +Simonien; secondly, my supposed journey to America; thirdly, my +diploma of the University of Konigsberg, which my biographer +arbitrarily changes into a diploma of Doctor of Music, which was +not the one given to me.-- + +I have never had the honor of belonging to the association, or, +to put it better, to the religious and political family of St. +Simonisme. Notwithstanding my personal sympathy with this or that +member of it, my zeal has been but little beyond that which +Heine, Boerne, and twenty others whose names are in the +Conversations Lexikon showed at the same period, and they limited +themselves to following pretty often the eloquent preachings of +the Salle Taitbout. Among my numerous tailors' bills, I can +certify that there is not one to be found of a bleu-barbot coat +[The dress of the St. Simonists.]; and, as I have mentioned +Heine, I ought to add that my fervor was far short of his, for I +never thought of wishing to "Commune through space with the +Child-lake Father," by correspondence or dedication, as he has +done!-- + +Further, I can also assure you that my practical course of the +geography of Europe has not extended beyond it, and that the four +or five other parts of the globe are entirely unknown to me. And +when you come to see me at Weymar I can show you, amongst other +diplomas, that of the University of Konigsberg, in virtue of +which I have the honor to belong, exceptionally, to the class of +Doctors in Philosophy, an honor for which I have always been +peculiarly grateful to this illustrious University. + +As to the summary judgment passed upon my person and my works in +this article, you will easily understand that I only accept it as +transitory and with due reserve, much obliged though I am besides +to the author for his kind intentions. After having attained, +according to my biographer, the first aim of my youth,--that of +being called the Paganini of the Piano,-it seems to me it is +natural that I should seriously have the ambition of bearing my +own name, and that I should count somewhat on the results of a +desire and of persevering work, so far as to hope that in one of +the later editions of the Conversations Lexikon I may have a +place more in accordance with my aims. [The article in question, +which was published at a time when Liszt's greater works had +partly not yet been written, and partly were not yet known in the +wider circles, speaks of poverty of invention, and considers his +compositions rather those of a virtuoso than of imaginative +significance.] + +Accept, my dear Mr. Brockhaus, the expression of my most sincere +regard, and believe me + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar March 22nd, 1853 + + + +99. To Dr. Franz Brendel in Leipzig + +[Autograph of the letter to Brendel in the possession of Frau Dr. +Riedel in Leipzig.--Brendel (born 1811, died November 25th, 1868, +in Leipzig) rendered great services to the New German (i.e., the +Wagner-Liszt) musical tendencies, as a writer on music +(Geschichte der Musik, History of Music), and as editor of the +Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik (founded by R. Schumann). He also, +together with Liszt, originated the "Allgemeine Deutsche +Musikverein" (the "German Universal Musical Union"), and was its +president up to his death.] + +Dear Friend, + +A little trip to Gotha, where the Duke had invited me to be +present at the performance of his opera "Casilda" the day before +yesterday, must bear the blame of my delay in writing to you. +After duly thinking over and considering your letter, I must tell +you first and foremost my exact opinion with regard to the +immediate appearance of the proposed paper. In my opinion at +least two or three months are requisite to establish the +necessary relations with the chief co-operators, and to give due +weight to the whole undertaking. Without complete agreement as to +means and aims we should compromise rather than help the matter. +We must have the positive agreement and assurance of Semper, +Stahr, Hettner, Hauenschild, and others (among whom Vischer of +Tübingen must be sure not to be forgotten), before the first +number appears. We have to struggle for a far higher and more +difficult end than, for instance, the Unterhallungen am +hausliehen Herd [Entertainments at Home] or the Fliegende Blatter +fur Musik. [Fly-leaves for Music.] The most important step for us +is the very first, at the house door; and if we do not weigh this +step with due reflection we shall run a great risk of winning +only imaginary future subscribers for the Art Work of the Future, +and of seeing our best wishes for its feasibility shipwrecked. + +Whether also the title Kunstwerk der Zukunft [Art Work of the +Future.] should be employed, or what other definition should +be the axis of our united efforts in the opening number, I will +put on one side for the present. The full discussion of this and +other things I will keep for your next visit to Weymar. Raff's +opera is announced for this day fortnight (Sunday, April 17th). +If it is agreeable to you to come here sooner, you will be most +welcome at any moment. This time and every time that you come to +Weymar, I beg you to stay with me, both for your own convenience +and mine. + +Förster's exact address I will send you very soon, although I +conclude that letters addressed Herr Hofrath Ernst Forster would +be safely delivered by the post office. Stahr is the best person +to give you information about Herr von Hauenschild (Max Waldau-- +not Count, as far as I know), and Hettner is a Professor in Jena. + +Further, it is my opinion that you had better not send your +communications to these gentlemen until we have settled some of +the chief points in this matter. + +I shall undertake a security of four hundred thalers on this +proposed agreement between us, in return for a receipt from the +management which you will give me. I cannot at present hold out +the prospect of further support; yet it is possible that I may +succeed in getting three to five hundred thalers annually, under +certain conditions, for which there is no personal ground +whatever (and which I hinted to you in our last conversation in +Leipzig), for the pages of The Present and Future. + +Remember me kindly to your wife, and be assured of the entire +willingness of + +Yours truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, April 3rd, 1853 + + + +100. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Good advice is seldom cheap, and I must honestly confess that in +my present very fluctuating circumstances I am not rich enough to +help you efficaciously by lending you a helping hand, however +much I might wish to do so. Stahr's refusal is very much to be +regretted, for, in order to attain your end and to influence the +world of literature, you positively require more literary men of +great note to join you. Next to the money question the formation +of the nucleus of management is the most important matter in this +undertaking. However zealous and self-sacrificing you and +Schlonbach [Arnold Schlonbach, journalist, died long ago.] may be +in devoting your talents and powers to the paper, yet I doubt +whether you will be able to keep it going unless you get some +further capable men of talent as co-operators. This brings us, +however, again to the money question, which I unfortunately am +not in a position to solve. To be obliged to give it up after six +months would be a far worse fate than not to begin it at all. +Therefore, before everything, the moral guarantee must be +forthcoming for its continuance, and for the constantly +increasing spread of the paper, and these depend principally on +the guarantee which the first five or six co-operators warrant. +You remark quite truly that, if Wagner would take an interest in +the matter, it would be of the greatest help. Perhaps he might be +persuaded to do so, and I will willingly start the subject to +him. + +The title, size (as well as the limits of the paper, and cover), +and fortnightly issue give me thorough satisfaction, and +according to my opinion nothing more need be altered in these +three particulars. A weekly issue has its advantages-- +nevertheless I have always thought that two papers per month are +on the whole better than four. But whether it is possible and +advisable to make the first start as early as July I much +question. "Tout vient a point a qui sait attendre," says the +French proverb. It certainly is important to seize the right +moment, and that must be decided by you. Let me only beg you not +to give too much weight to passing and local influences, and only +to come forward when you can hold your ground with quiet, +deliberate courage. Retreat belongs to the enemy. For us it is +"Gradatim vincimus." + +The matter of the security remains as promised. If you should not +be ready by July, October would be just as favorable, if not more +so--only, in Heaven's name, no backward step when once started!-- +Some articles of provision and ammunition seem to me to be +absolutely necessary before you begin. Two months are a short +time to get them ready, and I scarcely think it will be possible +for you to be ready for action by July. Have you written yet to +Wagner? You must not expect much from Hettner without Stahr. But, +through Hinrichs or Franz, Hauenschild might perhaps be won over. +I advise you to stick fast to Schwind. One of his last pictures, +"Beethoven's Fancy," bought by the King of Greece, points to him +above all others as the representative of painting in your paper. + +May I beg you also to send a few lines to Kurnberger to tell him +that I have given you his manuscript? It would be discourteous if +I were to leave him without any answer, and, as I cannot say +anything further to him, we should save useless circumlocution if +you would be so good as to correspond with him direct. + +Incidentally you would also save me another letter about nothing, +if you would write to Lenz (on the subject of this conference). + +Whilst I am talking with you, Senora Pepita Oliva is doing her +favorite tricks at the theater, which are more prized and rated +higher than they deserve, so I am assured. "J'aime mieux y croire +qu'y aller voir." [I would rather take it for granted than go and +see it.] The brothers Wieniawski have also been here some days. +The violinist is a virtuoso of importance,--that is to say, in +the ordinary, but not quite correct, sense of this word; for +Virtuoso comes from Virtu, and should neither be so falsified nor +so misapplied. + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +April 30th, 1853. + + + +101. To Louis Kohler + +Dear Friend, + +You have again given me a real pleasure by your article on the +Romanesca (in the last numbers of the Signale), for which I would +gladly requite you. The best way to do this would be by a +performance of "Lohengrin"; unfortunately there is very little +prospect of that. Still it is not impossible that between the +19th and 26th of this month there may be a performance of this +one work by royal command; and, as you are already so kindly +disposed towards me, and have promised me to come to Weymar, do +make yourself ready, and give me the great pleasure of your +company for a few days--if possible, from the 19th to the 26th of +this month. The marriage festivities of Princess Amalie of Sachs- +Weymar and Prince Henry of the Netherlands, which will take place +then, will be the occasion of a grand court concert on the 20th, +and the performance of Marx's oratorio "Moses" on the 22nd or +24th, and probably a couple of other musical performances. +Joachim is also coming at the same time, and there will be no +dearth of entertainment for us. Once more best thanks-and a safe +journey--and a revoir--which will be a great pleasure to your +very affectionate and obliged. + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 6th, 1853 + + + +102. To Louis Kohler + +Dear Friend, + +A safe journey--and "auf Wiedersehen" next year in Weymar at a +chance performance of "Lohengrin"! There is now no probability of +a Wagner performance here for a week or ten days, and probably +the "Flying Dutchman" will then be chosen. + +You ought to keep all my scribblings which appear henceforth. +Meanwhile I send you only the score of the Weber Polonaise, in +which the working-out section (pages 19, 20, 21) will perhaps +amuse you. + +I am writing to Wagner today that he should himself offer you a +copy of the "Nibelungen." You ought to receive it soon. + +You will find a little packet of Plantaja cigars in your cloak. +May it help you to recall your Weymar visit, and think with warm +remembrance of + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 24th, 1853 + +If you should stay some days in Berlin, ask Dorn why he has not +yet sent me his score of the "Nibelungen"? Perhaps he has not had +my letter in reply to his in which he mentioned that the score +was coming. + +When you have half an hour to spare, ask my pupil Winterberger +[Composer, piano and organ virtuoso; born at Weimar 1834; was for +a long time a Professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatorium; +since then lives at Leipzig.] (through Schlesinger) to play you +my "Prophete" Fugue on the organ. I consider this opus as one of +my least bad productions--if you have not got a copy of it I will +send you one on the first opportunity through Hartel. + +Your box and cloak are just sent off "Station restante." + + + +103. To Louis Kohler + +"Kiraschio! Plimaschio!" + +[The refrain of a journeyman's song, given by L. Kohler in his +work "The Melody of Speech," in which "The cry of the natural man +gives vent to itself in unbridled pleasure."] + +Dear friend! Your work [The same work, "The Melody of Speech" +(Leipzig, J. J. Weber, 1853).] has given me a refreshing draught +to quaff,--not exactly a theoretical "cure" water, such as the +people promenading past my window are constrained to take, and +which, thank Heaven, I neither require nor take; but a finely +seasoned, delightfully comforting May drink,--and I thank you +warmly for the lively, pleasant hours I have passed with you in +reading and singing your work. The objections with which the +Philistines and pedants will arm themselves against you don't +interest me in the least. You have certainly brought forth a +fresh and exciting little book, and that is a great service not +easily attained!--Be satisfied not to please the worse half of +brave musicians, among which I might count myself, and write on +cheerfully, regardless of shops and shopkeepers!--Specially do I +give you my best thanks for the "Weymarasche Zeilen," and the +very friendly quotation of my earlier songs. Later on, when I +bring out a couple more numbers, I must make a somewhat remodeled +edition of these earlier songs. There must, in particular, be +some simplifications in the accompaniment. But that you have +thought favorably and indulgently of these things, with a due +regard to the inner impulse which brought them forth (in my +"storm and stress" period), is very pleasant to me. The Lenau +concluding song is charmingly composed--only publish some more +like that, with or without comment! + +I have just received a letter from Wagner for you, which he sends +to me as he does not know your address. Take this opportunity of +sending me your street and number; for I always address to Putzer +and Heimann, which is too formal. At the beginning of July I +enjoyed several Walhalla-days with Wagner, and I praise God for +having created such a man. Of my further summer projects I will +only say that at the end of September I shall conduct the Musical +Festival at Carlsruhe, and at the beginning of October shall +return to Weymar (where I shall spend the winter). + +I have written to Haslinger and Spina to send you the "Hungarian +Rhapsodies" and the "Soirees de Vienne" (songs after F. Schubert, +in nine parts). The next time I pass through Leipzig I will tell +Kistner that you must not fail to have a copy of the "Harmonies +Poetiques et Religieuses." The previously mentioned pieces you +will have without delay. I have sent my Mass and Ave Maria to +Marpurg by Raff. If you approve of these compositions I will +gladly get a couple more copies in your honor. My Catalogue will +not come out till next winter, as I have not yet had any time to +revise it. + +Let me hear soon from you, dear friend, and keep ever in friendly +remembrance + +Yours sincerely and with many thanks, + +F. Liszt + +Carlsbad, August 1st, 1853 + +Address to me always at Weymar. + + + +104. To Richard Pohl in Dresden + +[Printed in Pohl's pamphlet "The Carlsruhe Musical Festival in +October, 1853" (by Hoplit). Leipzig, Hinze, 1853.--The addressee, +a writer on music (born 1826), one of the oldest and most +faithful adherents of Liszt and Wagner, lived in Weimar after +1854, his wife Jeanne (nee Eyth) having a post there as a harp +virtuosa: after Liszt's departure he was, as he still is, +occupied as editor in Baden-Baden.] + +In various accounts that I have read of the Festival at +Carlsruhe, there is one point on which people seem pretty much +agreed--namely, the insufficiency of my conducting. Without here +examining what degree of foregone judgment there may be in this +opinion, without even seeking to know how much it has been +influenced by the simple fact of the choice of myself as +conductor, apart from the towns of Carlsruhe, Darmstadt, and +Mannheim, it certainly would not be for me to raise pretensions +quite contrary to the assertion which it is sought to establish +if this assertion were based on facts or on justice. But this is +precisely what I cannot help contesting in a very positive +manner. + +As a fact one cannot deny that the ensemble of the Carlsruhe +programme was very remarkably performed, that the proportion and +sonority of the instruments, combined with a view to the locale +chosen, were satisfactory and even excellent. This is rather +naively acknowledged in the remark that it is really surprising +that things should have gone so well "in spite of" the +insufficiency of my conducting. I am far from wishing to deck +myself in the peacock's feathers of the Carlsruhe, Mannheim, and +Darmstadt orchestras, and am assuredly more disposed than any one +to render full justice to the talents--some of them very +distinguished--of the members of these three orchestras; but, to +come to the point, whatever may be said to the contrary, it is +acknowledged, even by the testimony of my adversaries, that the +execution was at times astonishing, and altogether better than +there had been reason to expect, considering that I was +conductor. + +This fact placed beyond discussion, it remains to be seen whether +I am so completely a stranger there as they try to make out, and +what reasons there can be for thus crying down a conductor when +the execution was satisfactory, especially if, as is just, one +bears in mind the novelty of the works on the programme for +almost the entire audience. For, as every one knew at Carlsruhe, +the Ninth Symphony, as well as the works of Wagner, Berlioz, +Schumann, etc., were not well known by any one but myself, seeing +that they had never been given before in these parts (with the +exception of the Berlioz piece, which a portion only of the +Carlsruhe orchestra had played under the direction of the +composer).-- + +Now as regards the question of right--to know whether in good +conscience and with knowledge of the matter one can justly accuse +me of being an insufficient conductor, inexperienced, uncertain, +etc.: without endeavoring to exculpate myself (for which I do not +think there is any need amongst those who understand me), may I +be permitted to make an observation bearing on the basis of the +question? + +The works for which I openly confess my admiration and +predilection are for the most part amongst those which conductors +more or less renowned (especially the so-called "tuchtigen +Capellmeister" [ Qualified conductors.]) have honored but little, +or not at all, with their personal sympathies, so much so that it +has rarely happened that they have performed them. These works, +reckoning from those which are commonly described nowadays as +belonging to Beethoven's last style (and which were, not long +ago, with lack of reverence, explained by Beethoven's deafness +and mental derangement!)--these works, to my thinking, exact from +executants and orchestras a progress which is being accomplished +at this moment--but which is far from being realized in all +places--in accentuation, in rhythm, in the manner of phrasing and +declaiming certain passages, and, of distributing light and +shade--in a word, progress in the style of the execution itself. +They establish, between the musicians of the desks and the +musician chief who directs them, a link of a nature other than +that which is cemented by an imperturbable beating of the time. +In many cases even the rough, literal maintenance of the time and +of each continuous bar |1,2,3,4,|1,2,3,4,| clashes with the sense +and expression. There, as elsewhere, the letter killeth the +spirit, a thing to which I will never subscribe, however specious +in their hypocritical impartiality may be the attacks to which I +am exposed. + +For the works of Beethoven, Berlioz, Wagner, etc., I see less +than elsewhere what advantage there could be (which by-the-bye I +shall contest pretty knowingly elsewhere) in a conductor trying +to go through his work like a sort of windmill, and to get into a +great perspiration in order to give warmth to the others. + +Especially where it is a question of understanding and feeling, +of impressing oneself with intelligence, of kindling hearts with +a sort of communion of the beautiful, the grand, and the true in +Art and Poetry, the sufficiency and the old routine of usual +conductors no longer suffice, and are even contrary to the +dignity and the sublime liberty of the art. Thus, with all due +deference to my complaisant critics, I shall hold myself on every +occasion ulterior to my "insufficiency" on principle and by +conviction, for I will never accommodate myself to the role of a +"Profoss" [Overseer or gaoler.] of time, for which my twenty-five +years of experience, study, and sincere passion for Art would not +at all fit me. + +Whatever esteem therefore I may profess for many of my +colleagues, and however gladly I may recognize the good services +they have rendered and continue to render to Art, I do not think +myself on that account obliged to follow their example in every +particular--neither in the choice of works to be performed, nor +in the manner of conceiving and conducting them. I think I have +already said to you that the real task of a conductor, according +to my opinion, consists in making himself ostensibly quasi- +useless. We are pilots, and not mechanics. Well, even if this +idea should meet with still further opposition in detail, I could +not change it, as I consider it just. For the Weymar orchestra +its application has brought about excellent results, which have +been commended by some of my very critics of today. I will +therefore continue, without discouragement or false modesty, to +serve Art in the best way that I understand it--which, I hope, +will be the best.-- + +Let us then accept the challenge which is thrown to us in the +form of an extinguisher, without trouble or anxiety, and let us +persevere, conscious of right--and of our future. + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, November 5th, 1853 + + + +105. To Wilhelm Fischer, Chorus Director at Dresden + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Otto Lessmann, writer at +Charlottenburg. (Printed in his Allgemeine Musik-Zeitung, 1887, +No. 38.)--The addressee was the well-known friend of Wagner. (See +"Wagner's Letters to Uhlig, Fischer, and Heine."--Grevel & Co.) +Vol. I. 12] + +Dear Sir and Friend, + +Your letter has given me real pleasure, and I send you my warmest +thanks for your artistic resolve to bring "Cellini" to a hearing +in Dresden. Berlioz has taken the score with him to Paris from +Weymar, in order to make some alterations and simplifications in +it. I wrote to him the day before yesterday, and expect the score +with the pianoforte edition, which I will immediately send you to +Dresden. Tichatschek is just made for the title-role, and will +make a splendid effect with it; the same with Mitterwurzer as +Fieramosca and Madame Krebs as Ascanio, a mezzo-soprano part. +From your extremely effective choruses, with their thorough +musicianly drilling, we may expect a force never yet attained in +the great Carnival scene (Finale of the second act); and I am +convinced that, when you have looked more closely into the score, +you will be of my opinion, that "Cellini", with the exception of +the Wagner operas,--and they should never be put into comparison +with one another--is the most important, most original musical- +dramatic work of Art which the last twenty years have to show. + +I must also beg for a little delay in sending you the score and +the pianoforte edition, as it is necessary entirely to revise the +German text and to have it written out again. I think this work +will be ready in a few weeks, so you may expect the pianoforte +edition at the beginning of February. At Easter Berlioz is coming +to Dresden, to conduct a couple of concerts in the theater there. +It would be splendid if you should succeed in your endeavors to +make Herr von Luttichau fix an early date for the "Cellini" +performance, and if you could get Berlioz to conduct his own work +when he is in Dresden. In any case I shall come to the first +performance, and promise myself a very satisfactory and +delightful result. [Dresden did not hear "Cellini" till thirty-- +four years later.] + +Meanwhile, dear friend, accept my best thanks once more for this +project, and for all that you will do to realize it successfully, +and receive the assurance of the high esteem of + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 4th 1841 + + + +106. To M. Escudier, Music Publisher in Paris + +[Autograph (without address) in the possession of Monsieur +Etienne Charavay in Paris.--The contents show to whom it was +written.] + +My dear Sir, + +My time has been so absorbed by the rehearsals of a new opera in +five acts, "Die Nibelungen", by Mr. Dorn, musical conductor in +Berlin, the first performance of which will take place tomorrow, +and also by a heap of small and great local obligations which +accumulate for me in particular at the beginning of winter, that +I have never yet had a moment in which to send you my very +cordial thanks for your biographical notice on occasion of the +Alexandre Piano, which [i.e., the biographical notice had just +reached me. [A "giant grand piano" with three keyboards and +pedals and registers, made according to Liszt's own directions.] +I hope you will excuse this delay in consideration of the short +time left me, and that you feel sure beforehand how kindly I take +it of you for thus taking my part, in divers circumstances, for +the honor of my name and of my reputation--a matter in which I +will endeavour not to render your task too difficult. + +With regard to the Schubert opera of which you again spoke to me +in your last letter, I have a preliminary and very important +observation to make to you--namely, that the rights of the score +of "Alfonso and Estrella," in three acts, were obtained some +years ago by Messrs. Hartel of Leipzig. As this work has not +hitherto been performed anywhere they have not been in a hurry to +publish it, and it was only communicated to me (by a copy) in +case of a performance at Weymar. Therefore, before taking any +other steps, it is indispensable that you should apply to Messrs. +Hartel to obtain their authorization, either for a performance, +or for the right to make a foreign edition of this work, and to +make conditions with that firm relative to the matter. I do not +doubt that Messrs. Hartel will be most obliging in the matter; +but you cannot neglect this first step without serious ulterior +disadvantages. + +Hartel's consent once given, you must think of adapting to this +charming music a libretto which is worthy of it,--and, if you are +fortunate in doing this, success, and a popular and productive +success, is undoubted. + +Allow me to beg you once more to send me a copy of the ballet of +Gluck's "Don Juan" and of the "Dictionary of Music" which you +have just published,--I have already asked Belloni for them, but +he is a little subject to distractions in these matters,--and +accept, my dear sir, together with my best thanks, the assurance +of my affectionate regard. + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 21st, 1854 + + + +107. To Monsieur Marie Escudier, Music Publisher in Paris. + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.] + +My Dear Sir, + +Mr. Franck [Cesar Aug. Franck, born at Liege in 1822, composer +and professor at the Paris Conservatoire, teacher of Faure, +Chabrie, and d'Indy, the chief representatives of the new French +school of music.] having written to me for a special introduction +to you, I have great pleasure in fulfilling his request by +writing these few lines to you. For many years past I have had a +favorable opinion of Mr. Franck's talent in composition, through +having heard his trios (very remarkable, as I think, and very +superior to other works of the same kind published latterly).-- + +His oratorio "Ruth" also contains beautiful things, and bears the +stamp of an elevated and well-sustained style. If the opera which +he wants to have performed at the Lyric theater answers to these +antecedents and to what I expect of Mr. Franck, the Lyric theater +could only congratulate itself on its choice, and the best chance +of success would be assured. Being unable to judge of it at a +distance, and the score of this opera being unknown to me, I +confine myself simply to drawing your attention to the very real +talent of Mr. Franck, at the same time recommending him +affectionately to your kindness. + +Pray accept, my dear Sir, the expression of my sincere regard. + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 28th, 1854 + + + +108. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +I have lately been over-occupied, and in addition to that I have +been working somewhat, so that I have never had a free half-hour +for correspondence. + +I send you today the score and pianoforte edition of my +"Kunstler-Chor." By next autumn I hope that half a dozen other +(longer) scores will be in print. "Ha, der Verruchte!" ["Ah, the +wretch!"] we can then say, as in "Tannhauser." Happily, however, +no journey to Rome is necessary to obtain my absolution. We only +wish to have done with so much outcry and tasteless chatter. + +I shall beg David to put off my Leipzig rehearsals for a couple +of weeks, as I cannot well get away from here now, and must also +have the parts written out afresh. If David does not arrange it +otherwise I shall probably come in the latter half of March.--. + +Cornelius is telling you more fully, at the same time with this, +what I have talked over with him.--Griepenkerl has been here a +couple of days, and yesterday read his drama "Ideal and Welt" +before our Grand Duke. The company was much the same as at +Schlonbach's reading.--. + +About your book I am very curious, and beg that you will send it +me immediately. With regard to the opportunity for the paper I +can tell you something when I come to Leipzig. In the course of +next summer a monthly paper will make its appearance here, out of +which much might grow. This is between ourselves, for the public +will learn about it later. + +Remember me most kindly to your wife, and remain good to + +Your very sincere and grateful friend, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 20th, 1854 + +P.S.--If you see Count Tyskiewicz please repeat my invitation to +him to come for a couple of days to Weymar. If he is free next +Thursday, that would be a good day. We have a concert here at +which the "Kunstler-Chor" and a new orchestral work of mine ("Les +Preludes"), the Schumann Symphony (No. 4.), and his Concerto for +four horns will be given. + + + +109. To Louis Kohler + +My very dear Friend, + +I come late--yet I hope you have not forgotten me. I am sending +you, together with this, the score and pianoforte arrangement of +my chorus "an die Kunstler," ["To the artists."] and also those +numbers of the Rhapsodies which have been brought out by +Schlesinger. The "Lohengrin" score you have no doubt received two +months ago from Hartel, whom I begged to send it you direct--also +the "Harmonies" from Kistner, and the last number of the +"Rhapsodies" from Haslinger. At the end of the year you shall get +some still greater guns from me, for I think that by that time +several of my orchestral works (under the collective title of +"Symphonische Dichtungen" [Symphonic Poems.]) will come out. +Meanwhile accept once more my best thanks for the manifold proofs +of your well-wishing sympathy, which you have given me publicly +and personally. You may rest assured that no stupid self-conceit +is sticking in me, and that I mean faithfully and earnestly +towards our Art, which in the end must be formed of our hearts' +blood.--Whether one "worries" a bit more or a bit less, as you +put it, is pretty much the same. Let us only spread our wings +"with our faces firmly set," and all the cackle of goose-quills +will not trouble us at all. + +That your article has been rudely and spitefully criticized need +not trouble you. You presuppose your reader to have refinement +and educated feeling, artistic acuteness, a fine perception, and +a certain Atticism. These, my dear friend, are indeed rare +things--and only to be found in very homoeopathic doses among our +Aristarchuses. Sheep and d[onkeys] have no taste for truffles. +"Good hay, sweet hay, has not its equal in the world," as the +artist-philosopher Zettel very truly says in the "Midsummer +Night's Dream"! Moreover, dear friend, things didn't and don't go +any better with other better fellows than ourselves. We need not +make any fancies about it, but only go onward quietly, +perseveringly, and consistently. + +"Lohengrin" will be given here on the Grand Duchess's next +birthday, April 8th. Gotze is coming this time from Leipzig, and +sings the part of the Knight of the Swan. I hope that in May +Tichatschek will undertake the role; he has already been studying +the complete work for a long time past, and has had a splendid +costume made for it. Perhaps you will be inclined to hear this +glorious work here either in April or May. That would be very +delightful of you, and I need not tell you how pleased I should +be to see you among us again.-- + +Rafi is working hard at his "Samson," and tells me that he will +have finished it by Christmas. Cornelius, whom I think you do not +know (a most charming, fine-feeling and distinguished nature), +has likewise a dramatic work, poem and music, in readiness for +next season. We gave a good performance of Gluck's "Orpheus" +lately, and for the last performance of this season (end of June +I think we shall still give the Schubert opera "Alfonso und +Estrella," if those same theater influences which already made +themselves prominent by the "Indra" performance when you were at +Weymar do not decide against this work, so interesting and full +of intrinsic natural charm!--Farewell, dear friend, and send +speedy tidings of yourself to + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 2nd, 1854 + + + +110. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Herewith an article which I send you for your paper. "Euryanthe," +which I conduct here tomorrow, is the occasion of it. Still a +more general question is aroused in it, which I am to a certain +extent constrained "to agitate" from Weymar.["Gesammelte +Scriften" vol. iii., I.] I flatter myself that our ideas will +meet and harmonize in it. At first I had prefaced it by a couple +of introductory lines, which I now erase. Will you be so good as +to introduce me yourself in the Neue Zeitschrift by a few words? +You will be the best one to make up this little preface. My name +can be put quite openly with its five letters, as I am perfectly +ready to stand by my opinion. + +Tuesday morning I go to Gotha. The Duke's opera is to be given at +the end of this month, or at latest on the 2nd April, and from +the day after tomorrow till the first performance I shall be +quartered at Gotha. In consequence of this I must unfortunately +give up my excursion to Leipzig for the moment,--but I hope that +David will allow another rehearsal in the Gewandhaus in the +course of April, after the "Lohengrin" performance here with Gaze +(on April 7th and 8th), which I must of necessity conduct. The +news, which it appears some papers have published, that I was +thinking of arranging a concert in Leipzig, belongs to the +generation of ducks [geese?] who amuse themselves in swimming +around my humble self. My visit to Leipzig has no other object +than to make some of the musicians acquainted with one or two of +my symphonic works. Should they be pleased with them, they might +perhaps be given there next season. In any case, however, several +of them will appear in score next autumn. + +My time is exceedingly limited, and I must see about a great many +things today which do not put one in the mood for correspondence. + +Yours in friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Saturday, March 18th [1854] + + + +111. To Louis Kohler. + +[Weimar, April or May, 1854] + +My very dear friend, + +I am extremely glad that you liked my article on "Euryanthe" and +theater direction, and I thank you most truly for your warm and +very encouraging letter. For many weeks past I have been +imitating you (as you and others always set me a good example), +and am publishing several views on Art-subjects and Art-works in +the Weimar official paper. By degrees these articles will swell +into a volume, which shall then contain the complete set. + +For the present I allow myself to send you my Sonata, which has +just been published at Hartel's. You will soon receive another +long piece, "Scherzo and March," and in the course of the summer +my "Annees de Pelerinage, Suite de Compositions pour le Piano" +will appear at Schott's; two years--Switzerland and Italy. With +these pieces I shall have done for the present with the piano, in +order to devote myself exclusively to orchestral compositions, +and to attempt more in that domain which has for a long time +become for me an inner necessity. Seven of the Symphonic Poems +are perfectly ready and written out. I will soon send you the +little prefaces which I am adding to them, in order to render the +perception of them more plain. Meanwhile I merely give you the +titles:-- + +1. "Ce qu'on entend sur la Montagne" (after V. Hugo's poem in the +"Feuilles d'Automne"). + +2. Tasso. "Lamento e Trionfo" + +3. "Les Preludes" (after Lamartine's Meditation poetique "Les +Preludes"). + +4. "Orphee." + +5. "Promethee." + +6. "Mazeppa" (after V. Hugo's Orientale "Mazeppa"). + +7. "Festklange." + +8. "Heroide funebre." + +9. "Hungaria." + +By Christmas I intend to bring out the scores of all these--which +would make about fifteen hundred plates in octavo size. + +The post affair in regard to your letter with the article on +Raff's "Fruehlingsboten" is very unpleasant to me. Neither has +come into my hands, or else I should assuredly have let you know +much sooner. What has become of it cannot now be traced; a +similar thing happened also with a manuscript sent to me from +Dresden, which was never able to be found. Excuse me, dear +friend, for the carelessness which you supposed I had shown, of +which I am in this case not guilty, as Pohl has already written +to you by my request--and continue to keep for me always your +sympathetic friendship, with which I remain, in complete +harmonious unison, + +Yours most truly and gratefully, + +F. Liszt + + + +112. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Whilst you are trotting about in Leipzig aus Rand und +Band,[Uncontrolledly; a pun on the words Rand and Band (edge of +the paper and volume), Brendel being editor of a paper.] I have +been obliged to keep my bed, owing to a slight indisposition. The +reading of your article in the Jahrbuchern [Year-books] has given +me a pleasant hour, and I thank you heartily for the value and +significance which you accord to my influence and endeavour here, +both in this article and in the topographic section of your book. +As long as I remain here we will take care that Weimar does not +get into a bad way. + +I hope to be quite on my legs again in a few days. My present +indisposition is nothing but an overstrain and knock-up, which a +couple of days' rest and some homoeopathic powder will easily set +right. Probably we shall see one another in the early days of +next week at Leipzig; but don't let us speak of it before-hand, +as I have already been three times prevented from making this +little trip. + +The Orpheus article was sent to you yesterday. Perhaps it would +still be possible to let it appear in the next number of the +paper; if not, then it can appear the following week. The order +of succession which I gave you by letter appears to me the right +one, and begins with the Orpheus. This article is moreover as +good as new, for, as your paper allowed me more space, I profited +by it to make the earlier articles twice as long.["Gesammelte +Schriften." vol. iii., 1.] + +There are several points in your writing that we will soon talk +over viva voca. I am still really very weak today, and merely +wanted to write to thank you, and to tell you of my speedy advent +in Leipzig (probably next Tuesday or Wednesday). + +Yours in friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Wednesday, April 26th, 1854 + +Your commissions to Cornelius and letter to Cotta have been +attended to. + + + +113. To Louis Kohler + +Dear Friend, + +I am going once more to give you a pleasure. By today's post you +will receive Richard Wagner's medallion. A friend of mine, Prince +Eugene Sayn-Wittgenstein, modeled it last autumn in Paris, and I +consider it the best likeness that exists of Wagner. + +A thousand thanks for all the kind things you write and think of +me. I very much wish that you should be in agreement with my +present and my next work. If I could only dispose of my time +better! But it is a wretched misery to have to spend one's time +upon so many useless things and people, when one's head is quite +full of other things!--Well, it must be so. God grant only +patience and perseverance! I cannot remember for certain whether +I have already sent you the Avant-propos to my Symphonic Poems, +which I have in the meantime had printed on the occasion of their +performance here. In any case I send them, together with the +portrait for which you asked. I am now working at the ninth +number (Hungaria)--the eight others are perfectly ready; but it +will certainly be next spring before they appear in score. + +Of pianoforte music I have nothing more to send you (until the +"Annees de Pelerinage" appear at Schott's), except the little +"Berceuse," which has found a place in the "Nuptial Album" of +Haslinger. Perhaps the continuous pedal D-flat will amuse you. +The thing ought properly to be played in an American rocking- +chair with a Nargileh for accompaniment, in tempo comodissimo con +sentimento, so that the player may, willy-nilly, give himself up +to a dreamy condition, rocked by the regular movement of the +chair-rhythm. It is only when the B-flat minor comes in that +there are a couple of painful accents...But why am I talking such +nonsense with you?--Your very perspicuous discovery of my +intention in the second motive of the Sonata-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a 2-measure score excerpt from his +Sonata] + +in contrast with the previous hammer-blows-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with another 2-measure score excerpt +from his Sonata, similar to the first excerpt above except the +melody is transposed and the rhythm is slightly different] + +perhaps led me to it. + +Farewell, my dear friend, and remain good to your + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, June 8th 1854 + + + +114. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +I have had to alter a good deal in the "Robert" article, +especially in the division of the subjects. Do not be angry about +it. It will only make a very little trouble, and it pleases me +better like this. Ergo my present Varianten [various readings] +must be printed word for word in the next number. + +If you have a couple of hours to spare, come next Saturday to +Halle. Schneider's "Weltgericht [Last Judgment] is to be given +there by the united Liedertafel [Singing Societies] of Dessau, +Magdeburg, Berlin, Halle, etc. (on Saturday afternoon at 3 +o'clock), and I have promised to be there. It would give me great +pleasure to meet you at Halle; I shall put up at the Englischer +Hof there. I hope you will accept my invitation, and therefore I +shall say, Auf Wiedersehen [Au Revoir]! + +Yours in friendship, + +F. Liszt + +June 12th, 1854 + +It will be easy for you to find out for certain about the +performance at Halle. In any case I shall come for the day fixed +for the "Weltgericht" (a peculiar work, written, as it were, from +a pedestal of his own!). At present it is announced for next +Saturday. Should there be any alteration, I shall arrange +accordingly, and come later.--. + +P.S.--The proofs must be very carefully revised, as there are a +great many little alterations. Be so good as to revise the whole +thing accurately yourself. When the article has appeared, please +send me today's proofs back. ["Gesammelte Schriften," vol. iii., +I.] + + + +115. To Karl Klindworth in London + +[A pupil of Liszt's, eminent both as a pianist, conductor, and +musical editor; born at Hanover in 1830, lived in London, Moscow, +and America; has, since 1882, been director of a music school in +Berlin.] + +Best thanks, dear Klindworth, for your nice letter. After the +"Lamento" it seems a "Trionfo" is now about to be sounded. That +gives me heartfelt pleasure. Your Murl-connection and Murl- +wanderings [The Society of "Murls" (Moors, Devil-boys--that is to +say, Anti-Philistines) was started at that time in Weimar. Liszt +was Padischah (i.e. King or President); his pupils and adherents, +Buelow, Cornelius, Pruckner, Remenyi, Laub, Cossmann, etc., etc., +were Murls.] with Remenyi [A celebrated Hungarian violinist.] are +an excellent dispensation of fate, and on July 6th, the day of +your concert at Leicester, the Weimar Murls shall be invited to +supper at the Altenburg, and Remenyi and Klindworth shall be +toasted "for ever!"--[Liszt writes "for ever hoch leben lassen."] + + +On July 8th I go from here to Rotterdam. The days of the +performances are July 13th, 14th, and 15th. The last number but +one of Brendel's paper (June 16th) contains the complete +programme. The principal works will be Handel's "Israel in +Egypt," Haydn's "Seasons," the Ninth Symphony, and a newly +composed Psalm by Verhulst (the royal conductor of the +Netherlands, director of the Euterpe Concerts in Leipzig about +twelve years ago, and at present director of the Rotterdam +Festivals). Roger, Pischek, Formes, Madame Ney, Miss Dolby, etc., +have undertaken the solos, and the programme announces nine +hundred members. It would be very-nice if you and Remenyi and +Hagen [Theodor Hagen, a writer, known as a witty critic of his +time under the name of "Butterbrod" [bread and butter] in the +signale; died subsequently in America.] could come; in that case +you would have to start at once, for on the 13th it begins, and +on the 16th I leave Rotterdam--and go for a couple of days to +Brussels, where I shall meet my two daughters. + +A couple of Murls would look well in Rotterdam, and would make up +to me in the best possible way for a lot of Philistinism which I +shall probably have to put up with there (by contact with many +honorable colleagues and companions in Art)...So, if you possibly +can, come. We will then have a Murl-Musical Festival in my room. +(N.B.--I shall be staying with Mr. Hope, the banker.) + +One has to get accustomed to the London atmosphere, and make +one's stomach pretty solid with porter and port. For the rest, +musical matters are not worse there than elsewhere, and one must +even acknowledge some greatness in bestiality. If you can stand +it, I am convinced that you will make a lucrative and pleasant +position for yourself in London, and also gain a firm footing for +the Murl propaganda ("une, indivisible et invincible") on the +other side of La Manche, "ce qui sera une autre paire de +manches." (In case you don't understand this joke, Remenyi must +explain it to you.) So be of good courage and among good things! +However things may be, never make capitulation with what is idle, +cowardly, or false--however high your position may become-and +preserve, under all circumstances, your Murldom!-- + +The two pieces from Raff's "Alfred" [Arranged by Liszt for the +piano.] have been brought out by Heinrichshofen (Magdeburg), and +are dedicated to Carl Klindworth. Write me word how I can send +them to you in the quickest and most economical manner--together +with the Sonata. [It bore the title, in Liszt's handwriting, "Fur +die Murlbibliothek" (for the Murl Library).] The Dante Fantasia +will appear in the autumn, with the other pieces of the "Annees +de Pelerinage," at Schott's, and I will tell him to reserve a +copy for you. + +Since you went away I have worked chiefly at my Symphonic Poems, +composing and elaborating. The nine numbers are now quite ready, +and seven of them entirely copied out. Next winter I intend to +publish the scores, which ought to make about a thousand engraved +plates. Immediately after my return from Rotterdam I shall set to +work on the Faust Symphony, and hope that I shall have it ready +written out by February. + +Hartel is publishing also a couple of transcriptions from +"Lohengrin" (the Festal March before the third act, with the +Bridal Chorus, Elsa's Dream and Lohengrin's rebuke to Elsa), +which I wrote lately. + +A propos of Hartel, haven't you heard anything of your +arrangement of the Schubert Symphony? The matter is being delayed +rather long, and when I go to Leipzig I will inquire at Hartel's. +[The arrangement for two pianos of the C major Symphony was +brought out by them.] I have nothing new to tell you of Wagner. +Joachim and Berlioz came to see me in May. Hoffmann von +Fallersleben has settled here, and we see each other pretty +often. His last poems, "Songs from Weymar," are dedicated to me. + +Mason went to London a fortnight ago, and will probably come to +Rotterdam. Laub is getting married in Bohemia, and brings his +wife here in September. Schulhoff was also with me for a day. + +Of Rubinstein I will tell you more when there is an opportunity. +That is a clever fellow--the most notable musician, pianist, and +composer, indeed, who has appeared to me from among the newer +lights, with the exception of the Murls. Murlship alone is +wanting to him still. But he possesses tremendous material, and +an extraordinary versatility in the handling of it. He brought +with him about forty or fifty manuscripts (Symphonies, Concertos, +Trios, Quartets, Sonatas, Songs, a couple of Russian Operas, +which have been given in Petersburg), which I read through with +much interest during the four weeks which he spent here on the +Altenburg. [Liszt's home] If you come to Rotterdam you will meet +him there. + +Now farewell, my dear Klindworth, and let me soon hear from you. + +Your + +F. Liszt + +July 2nd, 1854 + +From the 10th to the 15th of July letters will find me in +Rotterdam--Poste restante. N.B.--Remenyi gives me no reply about +the manuscript of Brahms' Sonata (with violin). Probably he has +taken it with him, for I have, to my vexation, rummaged through +my entire music three times, without being able to find the +manuscript. Don't forget to write to me about this in your next +letter, as Brahms wants this Sonata for printing. + + + +116. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +I send you herewith a long article on "Harold" and Berlioz, which +Pohl will translate, and adopt in his intended book on Berlioz. +Be so good as to see that Pohl gets the manuscript as soon as +possible, as he is probably in Leipzig now. + +[The article appeared in the "Neue Zeitschrift" in 1855 +(afterwards "Gesammelte Schriften," vol. iv), whereas it did not +appear in Pohl's book on Berlioz, which only saw the light thirty +years later, in 1884.] + +Tonight I go to Rotterdam for the Musical Festival, and thence +for a couple of days to Brussels. On the 22nd--24th of July I +shall come to Leipzig for a few hours, before I get back to +Weimar. + +I suppose you have given up your Rotterdam journey. If you have +anything to send for from there, write me a line immediately to +Poste restante, Rotterdam. + +Two articles are ready for your paper, "Die weisse Frau" [The +White Lady] and "Alfonso and Estrella." As soon as the +"Montecchi" and the "Favorita" appear you shall receive them [the +complete "Gesammelte Schriften," vol. iii, 1]. The "Fliegender +Hollander" is also ready, but must be copied.["Gesammelte +Schriften," vol. iii., 2.] This article is a very long one, and +will take up several of your numbers. + +Remember me kindly to your wife, and bear me in friendly +remembrance as your willing collaborator and attached friend, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 7th, 1854 + + + +117. To Anton Rubinstein. + +[Rubinstein (born 1830, at Wechwotynetz in Russian Bessarabia) +gave concerts as early as 1839 in Paris, and Liszt, who was +there, welcomed in the boy the future "inheritor of his playing," +and helped him in his studies, both during his stay in Paris, and +during his stay in Vienna later on, by giving him lessons. When +Rubinstein, in 1854, after a long sojourn in Russia, came back to +Germany, Liszt gave him a most hospitable reception at the +Altenburg at Weimar.] + +What are you doing with yourself, my dear Van II.? [From +Rubinstein's likeness to Beethoven Liszt jokingly called him Van +II. (that is, Van Beethoven)] Are you settled according to your +liking at Bieberich, and do you feel in a fine vein of good-humor +and work, or are you cultivating the Murrendo[This must refer to +some witty joke.] of your invention? + +Your luggage van of manuscripts was sent off to you the day after +my return, and will have reached you in good condition, I think. +I acquit myself herewith of my little debt of one hundred +thalers, with many thanks for your obligingness, until the case +arises again. A propos of obligingness, will you please send me +the letter of introduction for Cornelius's sister, who is about +to begin her theatrical career in the choruses of the Italian +opera at St. Petersburg? I told Cornelius that you had promised +it to me. And I should be very glad to send it him without too +much delay. His sister is an excellent young person, not too +pretty, but well brought up, and whom one can introduce with a +good conscience. It is to be feared that she will feel herself +very isolated there, and will get "Heimweh" [homesickness]! + +Let me hear from you soon. As regards myself I have very little +to tell you at this moment. Weymar is deserted, as the Court is +absent. Schade alone is radiant, for he has already got a heap of +subscribers to his "Weymar'sche Jahrbucher" [Weimar Year-books], +the first number of which is half printed and will definitely +appear on the 28th August. Mr. de Beaulieu will not be back for +three weeks; in spite of this send me your scenario of the +Russian opera as soon as ever you have finished it, for I will +see that he has it, and, if there is no political obstacle (which +is a very exceptional circumstance in these matters), your work +shall be given next November. [The opera "The Siberian Hunters" +was, in point of fact, given at Weimar through Liszt's +instrumentality.] When you have sufficiently enjoyed the charms +of Bieberich, come and see me at the Altenburg. It seems to me +that you will be at least as comfortable here as elsewhere +(Baden-Baden with Madame * * * excepted!), and Van II may be +certain of being always welcome + +To his very affectionate friend, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 31st, 1854 + +For the translation of your opera I again recommend Cornelius, +but you will have to pass some weeks here to hasten the work. + + + +118. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +You would have greatly deceived yourself, dear friend, if you had +attributed any sort of personal aim to my last intimation +regarding the conduct of the critical part of your paper. By no +means could that be the case, and I think I even said to you in +the course of conversation that, so long as my set of articles on +various operas, which provisionally closes with the "Flying +Dutchman", is going on in the Neue Zeitschrift, it seems to me +more becoming not to bespeak any other musical productions of +mine. None the less do I consider it desirable and quite in the +interest of our cause that, for the future, the more important +productions, especially the works of R. Schumann, Hiller, Gade, +etc., should be brought into consideration more fully and oftener +than has been the case of late years. The bookseller's views, as +regards the sending or non-sending of works, appear to me +unimportant and even injurious for the higher position which your +paper maintains.-- + +I send you herewith Cornelius's article on the Prize Symphony and +the "Girondistes" Overture. It is very nicely written, and will +probably suit you. If possible put it into your next number. + +I cannot now undertake the discussion about the Schumann +collective writings, as I am prevented by musical work for a long +time. Still, if I write later on a couple of articles on the +work, that need not prevent you from bringing out very soon one +or more articles discussing the same work. There is much to take +in and to bring out in it, which one critic alone is scarcely +capable of conceiving. The best plan of all would be if you +yourself will undertake the discussion of the Schumann writings. +Should you, however, not have time for it, then Pohl would be the +best man for this work. His predilection for Schumann, and his +familiarity with Schumann's views, qualify him thoroughly for +this. + +My articles on the "Flying Dutchman" must not wait so long as you +propose to me in your letter. I wish explicity that the two +articles on the "Weisse Dame" and "Alfonso and Estrella" should +appear as soon as possible, and immediately afterwards the +"Flying Dutchman", so that by the end of September this series of +twelve opera discussions may have all appeared in the Neue +Zeitschrift. + +At the same time with the proofs of the article on the "Weisse +Dame" you will receive the "Alfonso and Estrella" article, and, +as soon as these are out, the "Flying Dutchman", which must be +published in September--for various reasons, which cannot well be +explained in a letter. + +Raff's book "Die Wagnerfrage" [The Wagner Question] has arrived +here today, and I have already read it. The author is so pleased +with himself that it would be a miracle if his readers were +joined to him in the same proportion, and Raff is specially at +variance with miracles!-- + +This book makes on me the effect of a pedagogic exuberance. Even +the occasional good views (on harmony, for example) that it +contains are obscured by a self-sufficiency in the tone and +manner of them, of which one may well complain as insupportable. +What Raff wishes to appear spoils four-fifths (to quote the time +which he adapts so ridiculously to "Lohengrin" of what he might +be. He is perpetually getting on scientific stilts, which are by +no means of a very solid wood. Philosophic formulas are sometimes +the envelope, the outside shell, as it were, of knowledge; but it +may also happen that they only show empty ideas, and contain no +other substance than their own harsh terminology. To demonstrate +the rose by the ferule may seem a very scientific proceeding to +vulgar pedants; for my part it is not to my taste; and without +being unjust to the rare qualities of Raff's talent, which I have +long truly appreciated, his book seems to me to belong too much +to the domain of moral and artistic pathology for it to help in +placing questions of Art in their right light. + +I beg you, dear friend, not to repeat this to anybody, for I +could not go against Raff in any but the most extreme case, for +which I hope he will not give me any occasion. Against the many +charges to which he has exposed himself I even intend to shield +him as far as possible, but I am very much grieved that he has +mingled so much that is raw and untenable in his book with much +that is good, true and right. + +Farewell, dear friend, and give most friendly greetings to your +wife from + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +August 12th, 1854 + +In the "Favorita" article a great error has been allowed to +remain. "No lover, no knight behaves thus"--and not "A lover +behaves thus," etc. Send me at once the proofs of the "Weisse +Dame", and in September bring the "Fliegende Hollander", which +must not wait any longer. + +I am now working at my Faust Symphony. The three-keyboard +instrument arrived yesterday from Paris. It might be well to take +the opportunity of my Catalogue appearing at Hartel's to see +about a special article on it in your paper. + + + +119. To Anton Rubinstein + +[August, 1854] + +My dear Van II., + +Whatever scruple I may have in making the shadow of an attempt on +the liberty of your determinations and movements,--a scruple of +which I gave you a pertinent proof by not insisting any further +on your choosing Weymar instead of Bieberich as your villegiatura +during this last month,--yet duty (and a theatrical duty!) +obliges me to snatch you from your Rhine-side leisure, to set +yourself to work afresh at your business on the banks of the +Ilm,-- + +"Non piu andrai, farfalone," etc. [Aria from Mozart's "Figaro"] + +We have to hunt the Siberian bear; ["The Hunters of Siberia", an +opera of Rubinstein's.] and whether it is the season or not, I +don't trouble myself about that. Mr. de Beaulieu has just +answered me in the affirmative about the proposition I made to +him to give your "Hunters of Siberia" at the beginning of +November (the 9th, a date already made famous by the "Homage to +Art" a Prologue which will be again given this season), and asks +me particularly to push on as fast as possible the copying of all +the parts. Now one must kill the bear before selling his skin-- +that is to say, translate the libretto, fit it to the music, and +arrange the score for the performance at Weymar. + +According to what we arranged verbally, I spoke about it to +Cornelius, who accepts the work of translator with pleasure, and +will fulfill it promptly, and, I am persuaded, to your +satisfaction. The only thing wanting is for you to come at once, +and spend a fortnight at Weymar to finish everything. I give you +then rendez-vous at the Altenburg, where your former quarters +await you. No one will bother you there, and you can give +yourself up to cultivating murrendos [La Mara thinks there was a +joke in connection with this; I cannot help thinking it is a +corruption of morendo, and that perhaps Rubinstein joked about +cultivating a particular touch or nuance.--Translator's note] to +your heart's content whenever the fancy takes you. Try therefore +not to be too long over your farewells to the Tannhausers of the +banks of the Rhine (and if by chance Madame S. is there, pack +yourself off secretly so as not to provoke a scene of too much +frenzy), so as to get to Weymar by 1st to 3rd September, for your +score must be given to be copied by the 15th to the 20th. I will +keep your three books till you come, and will give them you back +at the Altenburg, and I take great pleasure in advance in your +success on our stage. + +A revoir then, my dear Rubinstein, in a week's time. + +Yours ever in friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Write me simply a word to fix the date of your arrival, so that I +may let Cornelius know, as he is gone for a week to his mother, a +few hours away from here. + +In the matter of news I will tell you that my instrument with +three keyboards is installed in the second etage of the +Altenburg, and that I have finished the first part of my Faust +Symphony (a third of the whole)--the two other parts will be +ready in November, I hope. + +I shall also have a little friendly quarrel to pick with you, +which I reserve for our after-tea conversations. + +A bientot! + + + +120. To Alexander Ritter in Dresden. + +[Ritter at this time joined the Weimar Hofcapelle (Court +orchestra); was afterwards music director at Stettin, and lives +now in Munich; is celebrated as the composer of the operas "Der +Faule Hans" and "Wem die Krone."] + +Hearty good wishes on your marriage, dear friend. I reproach +myself for disturbing you in your honeymoon. Well, a little music +to it won't hurt anybody. So come as soon as it is agreeable to +you. The matter is not so very pressing; I only beg you to send a +few lines in reply to Herr Jacobi, the secretary of the Court +theater, who wrote to you previously, and to tell him the date of +your arrival in Weymar. As your marriage takes place on the 12th +of this month, you are quite justified in asking for a few days' +respite. If it suits you to stay a fortnight longer in Dresden, +then fix the 1st of October for your coming to Weymar. With +regard to your quarters, I am quite ready to help you in word and +deed. + +In case Pohl is in Dresden you can tell him that his wife is also +engaged from the 15th of September (on which date the theater +here reopens). I wrote yesterday to Brendel, in order to get +Pohl's exact present address. I expect the answer tomorrow, and +Herr Jacobi will immediately write to Frau Pohl. + +Meanwhile remember me most kindly to your wife, and dispose +entirely--without ceremony--of + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 6th, 1854 + + + +121. To Bernhard Cossmann, Schloss Chanceaux bei Loches in +Touraine + +Weymar, September 8th, 1854 + +Dear Friend, + +Whilst you are promenading at your leisure beneath the fine oaks, +beeches, birches, horse-chestnuts, etc., of Chanceaux, I have the +sotte chance [Silly opportunity] of gaping chanceusement +[doubtfully] to the crows of Weymar, where we have certainly no +Chanceaux, but pretty well of gens sots [stupid people] im Loch +[In this hole. All plays upon words, and given therefore in the +original.] (near Loches!!). This almost attains to the height of +punning of our friend Berlioz, does not it?--I should not be able +to keep on such heights, and therefore I hasten to descend to +more temperate regions (des regions plus temperees),-"le Clavecin +bien tempere of J. S. Bach," for example, or to some "Beau lieu" +with or without marque au nez (Marconnay). [A play on words. The +name of the Intendant of the Weimar Court theater was Beaulieu- +Marconnay.] (I implore you to keep this execrable improvisation +to yourself, for, in my position as Maitre de Chapelle, I should +run the risk of being fined by the "Hofamt" [office in the royal +household] for allowing myself such an application of Berlioz's +treatise on instrumentation--but I really don't know what +tarantula of a pun is biting me at this moment!) + +Mr. de Beaulieu has just done two graceful acts for me, for which +I am very grateful. Madame Pohl is engaged as harpist to the +Weymar Kapelle, and A. Ritter of Dresden--the brother of Hans de +Bulow's friend--as violinist in place of little Abel, who is +leaving us to go and probably assassinate some Cain at a second +or third desk in an orchestra, somewhere! + +A. Ritter is going to marry Mdlle. Wagner on the 12th of this +month (the sister of Johanna), who has played in comedy at the +Breslau theater, and who, by her husband's orders, will not +continue playing when she has her home to keep. Let us hope so at +least! These two new engagements are a great pleasure to me, and +I shall willingly console myself for the loss of the innocent +Abel. + +And as Mr. de Beaulieu is just in such a good temper, I advise +you to profit by the circumstance to write him a letter, +artistically turned, to beg for a prolongation of your holiday, +which he will grant you with a good grace, I am sure. + +The theater will reopen the 15th September. The 16th "Ernani" +will be given. In the course of October we shall have the +"Huguenots", with a new singer from Prague, Mdlle. Stoger, of +whom one hears wonders. + +For the 9th October (fiftieth anniversary of the entry of H.I.H. +the Grand Duchess Marie Paulowna into Weymar) a rather curious +performance will be arranged:-- + +1st. The Homage to Art by Schiller. + +2nd. One of my Poemes Symphoniques. + +3rd. "The Hunters of Siberia", Opera in one Act--Music by +Rubinstein. + +4th. The Finale of "Lorelei" by Mendelssohn. + +For the winter season they are thinking of giving the two +"Iphigenies", "in Aulis" and "in Tauris", by Gluck, and +Schumann's "Genoveva". + +Rubinstein and Wasielewski (of Bonn) have been here some days. +Raff has published his volume "The Wagner Question." I would +neither answer nor vindicate it!--My monster instrument with +three keyboards has also arrived a fortnight ago, and seems to me +to be a great success--and on your return I shall pretty nearly +have finished my Faust Symphony, at which I am working like a +being possessed. + +This is all my news from here, to which I add the expression of +the old and sincere friendship of your very affectionate + +F. Liszt + +P.S.--I, on my side, will also write to Mr. de Beaulieu about +you, but it is the thing for you to write him a few lines. The +matter in itself will not present any difficulty. + + + +122. To Gaetano Belloni in Paris + +[autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris] + +[September 9th, 1854] + +My dear Belloni, + +Will you do me the kindness to tell Mr. Escudier that on my last +visit to H.R.H. the Duke of Gotha I gave Monseigneur the volume +on Rossini, and spoke to him at the same [time] of the desire +that Mr. Escudier had mentioned to me in his last letter to be +admitted into the order of H.R.H., before putting himself at his +command? It goes without saying that I warmly recommended Mr. +Escudier to the Duke; but nevertheless he seemed to turn a little +deaf, at any rate with one ear, to the side of the ribbon. In the +course of this month I shall probably see the Duke again, and +will speak to him again about it. On your side do not neglect +Oppelt [a Belgian writer; translated the Duke's opera], who +frequently corresponds with Gotha, and rest assured that I shall +not fail to be agreeable to your friends on this occasion. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Nothing new here. The theatrical season will open with "Ernani" +on the 16th September at latest; they talk of mounting +"Rigoletto" or the "Foscari." Unfortunately the German +translations of Verdi's operas are not worth a straw, and we are +great purists at Weimar. In November the "Huguenots" will also be +given, for the first time at Weymar, the late Grand Duke never +having permitted the performance of this work on account of his +respect for Luther, whom his ancestors had specially protected. + +Hartel is going to engrave several of my scores. Four or five of +them will appear in the course of the winter ("Tasso"--the +"Preludes"--"Orphee"--"Mazeppa" will be printed first) under the +title of "Poemes Symphoniques." + +I won't write to Escudiers--it will be enough if you let them +know of my good intentions in regard to them. You know that I am +overdone with correspondence, and, unless it is absolutely +necessary for me to write, I abstain from it, so as not to +interrupt my work of composition, which is my first raison +d'etre. + + + +123. To Eduard Liszt in Vienna + +What affliction and what desolation, my very dear friend! [Eduard +Liszt, then member of the provincial Court of Justice in the +Civil Senate, had lost his wife from cholera.] Alas! in trials +such as these even the sympathy felt by those who are nearest to +us can do but little to alleviate the overwhelming weight of the +cross which we have to bear. And yet I wish to tell you that in +these days of sorrow my heart is near to yours, sympathizing with +your suffering, and trusting that "the peace of the Lord," that +peace which the world can neither give nor take away, may sustain +you. + +Ever yours, + +F. Liszt + +October 10th, 1854 + +P.S.--Try to come and see me soon! + + + +124. To Anton Rubinstein + +Weimar, October 19th, 1854 + +Schott makes me ashamed, my dear Rubinstein. Here come the new +proofs of the "Kamenoi-Ostrow," [Rubinstein had written a number +of short pianoforte pieces named after the Emperor's summer +residence near St. Petersburg.] which he addresses to me for you, +and I have not yet sent you the previous ones! To excuse myself I +must tell you that I am frightfully busy (especially at the +theater), and that I did not want to put the proofs in a wrapper +without writing and thanking you for your charming and clever +letter from Leipzig. Well, here is the whole packet at last, +which you can send direct to Schott. Nevertheless, I am in your +debt for the carriage (which please beg Redslob to put to my +account), and for ten crowns which I borrowed from you at the +railway. As you are coming back here at the beginning of November +we shall have plenty of time to settle these little matters. + +The rehearsals of your "Chasseurs de Siberie" begin in the course +of next week. You may trust in my zeal, and be assured that your +work will be suitably prepared. I only beg you to be here about +the 4th November, in order to give us your own ideas at the final +rehearsals. If you decidedly prefer to be a spectator at the +performance, I will willingly conduct the work--but perhaps at +the general rehearsals the fancy may take you to mount the +conductor's chair, as I proposed to you at first: whatever you +definitely decide in this matter will only be agreeable to me. +Therefore just do as you generally do, I beg you, without +ceremony or bother of any kind. + +How do you find yourself as regards the musical atmosphere of +Leipzig? Has your "Ocean" obtained the suffrages of the Areopagus +which must be its first judge? At which Gewandhaus Concert will +Mr. Van II. be heard? If you already know anything positive as to +your debuts in Leipzig, write it to me, with a continuation of +the commentaries which amused me so much in your former letter. +We have nothing of special news here which can interest you. +Madame Wagner returns to Weymar the day after tomorrow, and next +Sunday "Lohengrin" will be given. The Wednesday after that a new +singer (Mdlle. Stoger, the daughter of the director at Prague), +who possesses a beautiful voice and appears to be highly endowed, +will make her debut in "Lucrezia Borgia." On the 24th October I +expect Madame Schumann, whom you will already have seen and heard +at Leipzig. When you have an opportunity please tell her not to +delay her journey to Weymar, for I have made all the arrangements +with Mr. de Beaulieu, etc., from the 24th to the 26th, for the +Court Concert and for the one which will take place at the +theater in her honor. + +My "Faust" is finished, and I am going to give it to the copyist +in a couple of days. I am very curious to make acquaintance with +yours, and to see in how far the beaux-esprits differ whilst +meeting on common ground! Your "murrendos" at Leipzig will have +proved favorable to your conversations with the Muse, and I look +forward to a fine Symphony. A revoir then, dear friend; on the +4th November, or the 5th at latest, we have the first performance +of an unpublished tragedy, "Bernhard von Weymar," for which Raff +has written a grand Overture and a March, and on the following +days your general rehearsals. + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + + + +125. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +[Beginning of November, 1854] + +Dear Friend, + +Pohl's article on Lieder und Spruche, etc. (Songs and Sayings), +appears to me to be of general interest to the public--therefore +I begged you to put it in your paper. + +Touching what you have reserved of Raff's, I am quite of opinion +that you should also make room for him in his critical +examinations of the Minnesingers. [The German poet-singers of the +Middle Ages.] The ground is an interesting and attractive one-- +and if a rather warm discussion should ensue later on between +Raff and Pohl, the field of the Minnegesang (love-song) is by far +the most agreeable for both, as well as the more entertaining for +your readers. Ergo, put Pohl's article into your next number. +Raff can then spring his mines in honor of the Minnegesang when +he pleases. This may make a quite pleasant and harmless joke-- +perchance a crown of lilies will mingle with it in the end and +shape the affair into a University concern...Your paper, in any +case, will not suffer. Therefore set to work and go through with +it! + +In Bussenius [Bussenius, under the pseudonym W. Neumann, +published the set of biographies "The Composers of Recent Times" +(Balde, Cassel).] you have rightly found the man of whom I +previously foretold you somewhat. I think that by the New Year he +will settle at Gotha, and carry on there with his firm (Balde) +greater literary and publishing undertakings. Meanwhile don't +speak of this. When the outlook is more certain, and things are +favorably settled, I will tell you more. + +I gladly accept your friendly invitation to write an article for +your New Year's number. In the course of the next few days you +will receive the article on Clara Schumann, and shortly +afterwards the second half of "Robert Schumann." + +Cornelius has been rather unwell for several days, which has +delayed the translation. [Peter Cornelius translated the articles +written in French by Liszt--with the collaboration of the +Princess Wittgenstein--for the Neue Zeitschrift; those which are +published in vols. iii. to v. of the "Gesammelte Schriften."] + +Will you, dear friend, be so good as to give my special thanks to +Herr Klitzsch for his article in today's number? By the favorable +manner in which he enters into the intentions of my Mass, and the +artistic sympathy he shows for my endeavour, he has given me a +very great pleasure. Probably a good opportunity will present +itself, later on, for me to undertake a further work in the +religious style, as I feel and conceive it, by the composition of +a "Missa Solemnis" for mixed chorus and orchestra...For the +present I cannot, however, occupy myself with this; but +aufgeschoben soll nicht aufgehoben heissen. [A German proverb-- +"Put off is not given up."] + +When I come to Leipzig I shall have the pleasure of calling on +Klitzsch and giving him my best thanks in person. If you think I +ought to write him a few lines before then, let me know. + +Litolff was here several days, and we have come nearer together +both from a friendly and an artistic standpoint. His fourth +Concerto (Conzert-Symphonie) is a marked advance on the previous +ones. He played this, as well as the third Concerto, the day +before yesterday, in a truly masterly and electric, living +manner. Frau Dr. Steche will have told you about it. Perhaps in +your next number you will put in a short appreciative notice of +Litolfff's appearance here. + +Rubinstein left for Leipzig at midday today. The performance of +his Symphony ["Ocean"; given for the first time, November 16th, +1854, at the Gewandhaus Concert for the Poor.] is fixed for the +16th at the Gewandhaus, and later on he will also appear as a +pianist. Hartel, Hofmeister, and Schott have already taken about +thirty of his manuscripts, which is about the smaller half of his +portfolio!-- + +About the Berlin "Tannhauser" affair I cannot for the moment say +more than that I have always made Wagner feel perfectly at +liberty to put me on one side, and to manage the matter himself, +according to his own wishes, without me. But so long as he gives +me his confidence as a friend, it is my duty to serve him as a +discreet friend--and this I cannot do otherwise than by giving no +ear to transactions of that kind, and letting people gossip as +much as they like. Don't say anything more about it for the +present in your paper. The matter goes deeper than many +inexperienced friends of Wagner's imagine. I will explain it to +you more clearly by word of mouth. Meanwhile I remain passive-- +for which Wagner will thank me later on. + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +N. B.--Pohl wishes his Minnesinger article not to be signed with +the name Hoplit, but with the letters R. P., when it appears in +your paper. + + + +126. To Anton Rubinstein + +Your "Dialogue Dramatique" a propos of your "Ocean" is a little +chef-d'oeuvre, and I shall keep it, in order, later on, to put it +at the disposal of some future Lenz, who will undertake your +Catalogue and the analysis of the three styles of Van II. We +laughed with all our hearts, a deux, in the little blue room of +the Altenburg, and we form the most sincere wishes that Gurkhaus, +[Principal of the music firm F. Kistner in Leipzig.] the deus ex +machine, may have come to put you out of the uncomfortable state +of suspense in which the Gewandhaus public did you the honor to +leave you. To tell the truth, this decrescendo of applause, at +the third movement of your Symphony, surprises me greatly, and I +would have wagered without hesitation that it would be the other +way. A great disadvantage for this kind of composition is that, +in our stupid musical customs, often very anti-musical, it is +almost impossible to appeal to a badly informed public by a +second performance immediately after the first; and at Leipzig, +as elsewhere, one only meets with a very small number of people +who know how to apply cause and effect intelligently and +enthusiastically to a piece out of the common, and signed with +the name of a composer who is not dead. Moreover I suspect that +your witty account is tainted with a species of modesty, and I +shall wait, like the general public, for the accounts in the +newspapers in order to form an opinion of your success. Whatever +may come of it, and however well or ill you are treated by the +public or criticism, my appreciation of the value that I +recognize in your works will not vary, for it is not without a +well-fixed criterion, quite apart from the fashion of the day, +and the high or low tide of success, that I estimate your +compositions highly, finding much to praise in them, except the +reservation of some criticisms which almost all sum up as +follows--that your extreme productiveness has not as yet left you +the necessary leisure to imprint a more marked individuality on +your works, and to complete them. For, as it has been very justly +said, it is not enough to do a thing, but it must be completed. +This said and understood, there is no one who admires more than I +do your remarkable and abundant faculties, or who takes a more +sincere and friendly interest in your work. You know that I have +set my mind upon your "Ocean" being given here, and I shall beg +you also to give us the pleasure of playing one of your +Concertos. In about ten days I will write and tell you the date +of the first concert of our orchestra. + +Meanwhile your "Chasseurs de Siberie" will be given again on +Wednesday next (the 22nd). I will tell Cornelius to give you +tidings of it, unless the fancy takes you to come and hear it, in +order to make a diversion from your "Voix interieures" [internal +voices] of Leipzig. + +Write to me soon, my dear Van II., and believe me wholly your +very affectionate and devoted friend, + +F. Liszt + +November 19th, 1854 + + + +127. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Kahnt [The subsequent publisher, for many years, of the Neue +Zeitschrift.] is only known to me by name, as an active and not +too moderately Philistine publisher. Personally I have never met +him, and therefore I cannot give a decided opinion as to his +fitness and suitability for the post of publisher of the Neue +Zeitschrift--yet, on the grounds you give me, it seems quite +right. Nothing is to be expected from Bussenius until he has made +a firm footing at Gotha, which can only come to pass in the +course of the next months; besides this, he has such gigantic +plans for his new establishment in Gotha that the affairs of the +Neue Zeitschrift might be left somewhat in the background. I +entirely agree with you on this point, that you cannot put the +Neue Zeitschrift in the market and offer it to just any publisher +who has shown himself up to now hostile to our tendencies. To do +such a thing as that could never lead to a satisfactory result. I +would, however, remark that the next few years will probably set +our party more firmly on their legs; the invalidity of our +opponents vouches pretty surely for that, apart from the fact, +which is nevertheless the principal point, that powerful talent +is developing in our midst, and many others who formerly stood +aloof from us are drawing near to us and agreeing with us. +Consequently it seems to me that it is not to your interest to +conclude at once a contract for too many years with Kahnt, +unless, which is scarcely likely, he were to make you such an +offer that you would be satisfied with it under the most +favorable conditions. If Kahnt shows the necessary perception and +will for the matter, try to get him to have a consultation with +me about it at Weymar. As he is also a music publisher I could +tell him some things, and make others plainer, which would not be +without interest to him. He need not be afraid that I shall +belabor him with manuscripts or urge him to untimely or useless +sacrifices...(I need not waste more words over the purity of my +intentions!) But I think it is desirable that, if Kahnt consents +to become editor of the Neue Zeitschrift, I should put him on his +guard about several things beforehand which do not come exactly +within the sphere of your activity, but which may essentially +help to the better success of the undertaking. A couple of hours +will be ample for it, and as I shall not be absent from Weymar +during the coming weeks Kahnt will find me any day. Perhaps it +could be arranged for you to come to Weymar with him for a day, +and then we three can make matters perfectly clear and +satisfactory. + +Although it is very difficult to me to make time for the more +necessary things, yet I am quite at your service with a short +article for the trial-number on Wagner's "Rheingold." I had +arranged the article so as to do for the New Year's number--you +shall have it in four to five days. Dispose of it as suits you +best. In case the "Clara Schumann" article does not appear in the +next number of the paper, and we do not have to wait too long for +the trial-number, it would be well perhaps to put it in there. +Possibly it might also be reprinted in the trial-number. + +I am glad that you, dear friend, after some "jerks and wrenches," +have come together again with the pseudo-Musician of the Future, +Rubinstein. He is a clever fellow, possessed of talent and +character in an exceptional degree, and therefore no one can be +more just to him than I have been for years. Still I do not want +to preach to him--he may sow his wild oats and fish deeper in the +Mendelssohn waters, and even swim away if he likes. But sooner or +later I am certain he will give up the apparent and the +formalistic for the organically Real, if he does not want to +stand still. Give him my most friendly greetings; as soon as our +concert affairs are settled here I shall write and invite him to +give one of his orchestral works here. + +Do not let yourself be grieved at the ever-widening schism in +Leipzig about which you write to me. We have nothing to lose by +it; we must only understand how to assert our full rights in +order to attain them. That is the task, which will not be +accomplished in a day nor in a year. Indeed, it is as it is +written in the Gospel, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the +laborers are few!" Therefore we are not to make ourselves over- +anxious--only to remain firm, again to remain firm--the rest will +come of itself!-- + +I will do my utmost for Fraulein Riese, [Pianoforte teacher in +Leipzig, who for years went every Sunday to Weimar to study with +Liszt; died 1860] that she may not repent the somewhat trying +journey. It is a splendid and plucky determination of hers to +come regularly to Weymar, and I hope she will gain thereby much +pleasure and satisfaction. + +Nauenburg's proposal of a Tonkunstler-Versammlung (meeting of +musicians) in Weymar is very flattering to me; the same was +written to me from several other sides. Hitherto I have always +abstained from it, because I thought it was more prudent not to +sell the bear's skin before the bear is shot. Moreover the +ordinary fine talk without deeds ["much cry and little wool"] is +very distasteful to me: let friend Kuhmstedt [Professor at a +school, and Music Director at Eisenach; died 1858] sing that kind +of philosophical fiortures in Eisenach; I have no talent for it. +None the less we can return to the Nauenburg proposition at a +convenient opportunity, and see how it could be best carried out. +According to my opinion, Leipzig would be the most suitable +place--and the summer a good time for it. + +I consider Raff's polemic entirely harmless. Your readers will +get a lesson in history from it, for which they can but be +grateful to you--and we need not be anxious about Pohl. It will +not puzzle him to eat his way out suitably and wittily. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt December 1st, 1854 + + + +128. To J.W. von Wasielewski in Bonn + +[Formerly Conductor of the Town Vocal-Union at Bonn (born 1822), +afterwards at Dresden; then again in Bonn as Music Director, and +living since 1884 in Sondershausen. Widely known as a literary +man through his biographies of Schumann and Beethoven, and also +through his book "The Violin and its Masters," etc.] + +Dear Friend, + +Owing to the somewhat long detour of the "Pesther Lloyd," in +which the friendly lines of remembrance have been reprinted which +you dedicated to the "Altenburg" in the Cologne paper, I only +heard of these a few days ago. [Written on the occasion of a +week's visit to Liszt at the Altenburg at Weimar, at which time +A. Rubinstein was also the Master's guest.] Please therefore to +excuse the delay in my thanks, which are none the less sincere +and heartfelt. + +I have heard many accounts of your most successful concert +performances in Bonn, all of which unite in giving you due praise +for your excellent conducting. At the beginning of January +concert affairs here, which have hitherto been in a vacillating +and fluctuating condition, owing to various local circumstances, +will take a more settled turn; I will send you the complete +programme shortly. By today's post you will receive the "Songs +and Sayings" from the last period of the "Minnesang," arranged +for four voices by W. Stade (of Jena). It is an interesting work, +and the editors would be very much indebted to you if you would +have the kindness to give a couple of numbers of them at your +concerts. The little pieces make quite a pretty effect, and one +peculiar to themselves, which will prove still more intense with +the beautiful Rhine Voices. Perhaps you would also find time and +inclination to make the public favorably disposed towards the +work by a few lines in the Cologne paper. + +How is Hiller? Has his "Advocate" [an opera, "The Advocate." It +had no success, and was publicly ridiculed at the Cologne +Carnival.] won his requisite suit, as I wish from my heart may be +the case? It would be very kind of you to let me know your plain, +unvarnished opinion of the performance. I should like to +recommend an early performance of the opera in Weymar if Hiller +has nothing against it. As you frequently have occasion to see +Hiller I beg you to ask him whether it would be agreeable to him +to send me the text-book and the score, so that I may make the +proposal to the management to give the opera here very soon.-- +Should the matter be then so arranged that he himself conducts +the first performance I should be very glad indeed, and I will +write to him more fully about it. + +The opera Repertoire here will be rather at a stand-still this +winter. Frau von Milde is in an interesting condition: +consequently there can be no Wagner operas from three to four +months; for Frau von Milde is for us, and for these operas in +particular, not to be replaced. Berlioz's "Benvenuto Cellini" +must also be left unperformed; all the more because Beck, the +tenor, has entirely lost his upper notes, and is less able than +ever to sing the part of Cellini. But Berlioz will come here in +January to conduct his oratorio "L'Enfance du Christ," etc. +(German translation by Cornelius), and his "Faust." I on my side +have also finished my "Faust Symphony" (in three parts--without +text or voice). The entity or non-entity has become very long, +and I shall in any case have the nine "Symphonic Poems" printed +and performed first, before I set "Faust" going, which may not be +for another year. Rubinstein's "Ocean Symphony" is to figure in +one of our next programmes. If it were not the rule to keep these +concerts exclusively instrumental, I should have begged Hiller +for his "Loreley." Probably a good opportunity will occur for +giving this work when he himself comes to Weymar, as he promised +me he would do. + +Joachim sent me, together with his Hamlet Overture, which is in +print, two others--to "Demetrius" (by Hermann Grimm), and to +"Henry IV." (of Shakespeare)--two remarkable scores composed with +lion's claws and lion's jaws!-- + +Have you any news of Schumann? Give me some good tidings of his +recovery. "Genoveva" will be given here in April at latest.-- + +Once more best thanks, dear friend, for the very pleasant days +you gave us here, which the inhabitants of the Altenburg most +agreeably remember; they send you most friendly greetings. I have +not forgotten about the Weimar orchestra matter--a half-prospect +has already appeared of realizing my wish, which is in accord +with your own. I cannot help, however, always doubting whether it +will be for your advantage to exchange Bonn for Weymar, for your +position in Bonn appears to me to offer you decidedly improving +chances from year to year, and in these regions so much is +wanting...that I am constrained to be satisfied with small +things. Well, what must be will be. Meanwhile keep in kind +remembrance + +Yours in sincere friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 14th, 1854 + + + +129. To William Mason in New York + +[A pupil of Liszt's, born 1828 at Boston, esteemed as a first- +rate piano virtuoso in America] + +My dear Mason, + +Although I do not know at what stage of your brilliant artistic +peregrinations these lines will find you, yet I want you to know +that I am most sincerely and affectionately obliged to you for +the kind remembrance you keep of me, and of which the papers you +send me give such good testimony. "The Musical Gazette" of New +York, in particular, has given me a real satisfaction, not only +on account of the personally kind and flattering things it +contains about me, but also because that paper seems to ingraft a +superior and excellent direction on to opinion in your country. + +Now you know, my dear Mason, that I have no other pride than to +serve, as far as in me lies, the good cause of Art, and whenever +I find intelligent men conscientiously making efforts for the +same end I rejoice and am comforted by the good example they give +me. Will you please give my very sincere compliments and thanks +to your brother, who, I suppose, has taken the editorship-in- +chief of, the Musical Gazette, and if he would like to have some +communications from Weymar on what is going on of interest in the +musical world of Germany I will let him have them with great +pleasure through Mr. Pohl, who, by the way, no longer lives in +Dresden (where the numbers of the Musical Gazette were addressed +to him by mistake), but in the Kaufstrasse, Weymar. His wife, +being one of the best harpists whom I know, is, now among the +virtuosi of our orchestra, which is a sensible improvement both +for opera and concerts.-- + +A propos of concerts, I will send you in a few days the programme +of a series of Symphonic performances which ought to have been +established here some years ago, and to which I consider myself +in honor as in duty bound to give a definite impetus at the +beginning of the year 1855.--Toward the end of January I expect +Berlioz. We shall then hear his trilogy of "L'Enfance du Christ," +[The Childhood of Christ] of which you already know "La Fuite en +Egypte," [The Flight into Egypt] to which he has added two other +little Oratorios called "Le Songe d'Herode" [Herod's Dream] and +"L'Arrivee a Sais." [The Arrival at Sais]--His dramatic Symphony +of Faust (in four parts, with solos and chorus) will also be +given entire while he is here. + +As regards visits of artists last month which were a pleasure to +me personally, I must mention Clara Schumann and Litolff. In +Brendel's paper (Neue Zeitschrift) you will find an article +signed with my name on Madame Schumann, whom I have again heard +with that sympathy and thoroughly admiring esteem which her +talent commands. As for Litolff, I confess that he made a great +impression on me. His Fourth Symphonic Concerto (in manuscript) +is a very remarkable composition, and he played it in such a +masterly manner, with so much verve, such boldness and certainty, +that it gave me very great pleasure. If there is something of the +quadruped in Dreyschock's marvelous execution (and this +comparison should by no means vex him: is not a lion as much a +quadruped as a poodle?), there is certainly something winged in +Litolff's execution, which has, moreover, all the superiority +over Dreyschock's which a biped with ideas, imagination, and +sensibility has over another biped who fancies that he possesses +a surfeit of them all--often very embarrassing! + +Do you still continue your intimate relations with old Cognac in +the New World, my dear Mason?--Allow me again to recommend you +measure, which is an essential quality for musicians. In truth, I +am not very much qualified to preach to you the quantity of this +quantity; for, if I remember rightly, I employed a good deal of +Tempo rubato in the times when I was giving my concerts (a +business that I would not begin again for anything in the world), +and again, quite lately, I have written a long Symphony in three +parts entitled "Faust" (without text or vocal parts), in which +the horrible measures of 7/8, 7/4, 5/4, alternate with C and +3/4.-- + +In virtue of which I conclude that you ought to limit yourself to +7/8ths of a small bottle of old Cognac in the evening, and never +to go beyond five quarters!-- + +Raff, in his first volume of the "Wagner-Frage," has realized +something like five quarters of doctrinal sufficiency; but that +is an example that can hardly be recommended for imitation in a +critical matter, and especially in Cognac and other spirituous +matters. + +Pardon me, my dear Mason, for these bad jokes, which however my +good intentions justify, and try to bear yourself valiantly both +morally and physically, which is the heartfelt wish of + +Your very affectionate + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 14th, 1854 + +You did not know Rubinstein at Weymar. [Liszt was mistaken about +this. Mason had even done the principal honors to Rubinstein at +his first visit to Weimar, in the absence of the Master.] He +stayed here some time, and notoriously cuts himself off from the +thick mass of so-called pianist composers who don't know what +playing means, and still less with what fuel to fire themselves +for composing--so much so that with what is wanting to them in +talent as composers they think they can make themselves pianists, +and vice versa. + +Rubinstein will constantly publish a round fifty of works-- +Concertos, Trios, Symphonies, Songs, Light pieces--and which +deserve notice. + +Laub has left Weymar; Ed. Singer has taken his place in our +orchestra. The latter gives great pleasure here, and likes being +here also. + +Cornelius, Pohl, Raff, Pruckner, Schreiber, and all the new +school of new Weymar send you their best remembrances, to which I +add a cordial shake hand. [Written thus in English by Liszt] + +F. L. + + + +130. To Rosalie Spohr + +Pray pardon me, dear artist and friend, that I am so late in +expressing the hearty sympathy which your Weymar friends take in +the joyful event of your marriage. [To Count Sauerma.] You know +well that I am a poor, much-bothered mortal, and can but seldom +dispose of my time according to my wishes. Several pressing +pieces of work, which I was obliged to get ready by this New +Year's Day, have prevented me up to now from giving you a sign of +life--and I am employing my first free moment to assure you that +the changing date of the year can bring with it no variation in +my sincere, friendly attachment. Remember me most kindly to the +papa and sister, and write to me when you can and tell me where +you are going to live henceforth. Possibly I might happen to be +in your neighborhood, in which case I should hasten to come and +see you. + +I have but little news to give you of Weymar. That Litolff has +been to see me here, and played his two Symphony-Concertos +capitally, you doubtless know. Probably he will come back after +his journey to Brussels, in the course of next month, when I also +expect Berlioz here. Our orchestra now also possesses a very +first-rate harpist, Frau Dr. Pohl, with a good double-movement +harp of Erard. It seems that poor Erard is no better, and his +"cure" at Schlangenbad has not had the desired result. I +frequently get very sad tidings of his condition through my +daughter. + +I thank you warmly for the friendly reception you accorded to +Herr Wolf as a Weymarer. I hope he did not inconvenience you by +too long visits. His wife brought me some weeks ago the original +sketch of your portrait, which is to become my possession. + +The Frau Furstin [Princess] and Princess Marie commission me to +give you their most friendly greetings and wishes, to which I add +once more the expression of my friendly devotion. + +A thousand respects and homage. + +F. Liszt + +January 4th, 1855 + + + +131. To Alfred Dorffel in Leipzig + +[Writer on music, born 1821; custodian of the musical section of +the town library of Leipzig: the University there gave him the +degree of Dr. phil. honoris causa.] + +Dear Sir, + +Allow me to express to you direct my most cordial thanks for the +conscientious and careful pains you have taken in regard to my +Catalogue. ["Thematic Catalogue of Liszt's Compositions."] I am +really quite astonished at the exactitude of your researches, and +intend to repeat my warm thanks to you in person in Leipzig, and +to discuss with you still more fully the motives which lead me +not entirely to agree with your proposal, and only to use a part +of your new elaboration of my Catalogue. To avoid diffuseness, I +can for today only state a couple of points. + +The standpoint of your new arrangement is, if I have rightly +understood you, as follows:--There are still being circulated in +the music-shops a certain number of copies of my works, +especially of the "Studies," "Hungarian Rhapsodies," and several +"Fantasiestucke" (under the collective title of "Album d'un +Voyageur"), etc., that I have not included in my Catalogue, which +I gave into Dr. Hartel's hands for printing;--and you have taken +upon yourself the troublesome task of arranging these different +and somewhat numerous works in what would be, under other +circumstances, a most judicious manner. + +However gratifying to me this interest of yours in the production +of a suitable Catalogue can but be, yet I must declare myself +decidedly for the non-acceptance of the portions added by you +(with certain exceptions). + +1. The Hofmeister edition of the twelve Studies (with a +lithograph of a cradle, and the publisher's addition "travail de +jeunesse"!) is simply a piracy of the book of Studies which was +published at Frankfort when I was thirteen years old. I have long +disowned this edition and replaced it by the second, under the +title "Etudes d'execution transcendante," published by Haslinger +in Vienna, Schlesinger in Paris, and Mori and Lavener in London. +But this second edition has now been annulled several years ago, +and Haslinger has, by my desire, put aside my copyright and +plates, and bound himself by contract not to publish any more +copies of this work henceforth. After a complete agreement with +him I set to work and produced a third edition of my twelve +Studies (very materially improved and transformed), and begged +Messrs. Hartel to publish it with the note "seule edition +authentique, revue par l'auteur, etc.," which they did. +Consequently I recognize only the Hartel edition of the twelve +Studies as the SOLE LEGITIMATE ONE, which I also clearly express +by a note in the Catalogue, and I therefore wish that the +Catalogue should make no mention of the earlier ones. I think I +have found the simplest means of making my views and intentions +clear by the addition of the sign (+). + +2. It is the same case with the Paganini "Etudes" and the +"Rhapsodies Hongroises;" and after settling matters with +Haslinger I completely gained the legal right to disavow the +earlier editions of these works, and to protest against eventual +piracy of them, as I am once more in possession both of the +copyright and the entire engraving plates. + +These circumstances will explain to you the reappearance (in a +very much altered conception and form) of many of my +compositions, on which I, as piano player and piano composer, am +obliged to lay some stress, as they form, to a certain extent, +the expression of a closed period of my artist-individuality. + +In literature the production of very much altered, increased, and +improved editions is no uncommon thing. In works both important +and trivial, alterations, additions, varying divisions of +periods, etc., are a common experience of an author. In the +domain of music such a thing is more minute and more difficult-- +and therefore it is seldom done. None the less do I consider it +very profitable to correct one's mistakes as far as possible, and +to make use of the experiences one gains by the editions of the +works themselves. I, for my part, have striven to do this; and, +if I have not succeeded, it at least testifies to my earnest +endeavour. + +3. In the "Annees de Pelerinage" (Schott, Mainz) several of the +pieces are again taken from the "Album d'un Voyageur." The Album +brought out by Haslinger must not be quoted in the Catalogue, +because the work has not been carried out according to its +original plan, and Haslinger has given me back, in this case +also, the copyright and plates. + +As the natural consequence of what I have said I beg you +therefore, dear sir, not to undertake any alteration in the +disposition and arrangement of my Catalogue, and only to add the +various enlargements and improvements, for which I have to thank +your overlooking and corrections, as I have now given them and +marked them.-- + +The title of the Catalogue might sound better thus in German:-- + +F. Liszt + +"Thematischer Catalog." ["Thematic Catalogue"] + +And the letters of the headings "Etudes--Harmonies--Annees de +Pelerinage--Ungarische Rhapsodien--Fantaisies on Airs from +Operas, etc.," must be rather large, and these headings separated +from the special title of the works. + +I cannot agree with the admission of a supplementary Opus- +number,--but it is of consequence to me that the Catalogue should +come out speedily, in order to get as clear a survey as possible +of my works up to the present time (which, however, are by no +means sufficient for me). + +Accept once more my best thanks, dear Sir, as also the assurance +of high esteem of + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +January 17th, 1855. + +P.S.--I take the liberty of keeping your edition of the Catalogue +here meanwhile, as it cannot be used for the arrangement of the +Hartel edition. + + + +132. To Anton Rubinstein + +Your fugue of this morning, my dear Rubinstein, is very little to +my taste, and I much prefer to it the Preludes that you wrote at +an earlier date in this same room, which, to my great surprise, I +found empty when I came to fetch you for the Berlioz rehearsal. +Is it a fact that this music works on your nerves? And, after the +specimen you had of it the other time at the Court, did the +resolution to hear more of it seem to you too hard to take? Or +have you taken amiss some words I said to you, which, I give you +my word, were nothing but a purely friendly proceeding on my +part? Whatever it may be, I don't want any explanations in +writing, and only send you these few lines to intimate that your +nocturnal flight was not a very agreeable surprise to me, and +that you would have done better in every way to hear the "Fuite +en Egypte" and the "Fantaisie sur la Tempete" of Shakespeare. + +Send me tidings of yourself from Vienna (if not sooner), and, +whatever rinforzando of "murrendo" may happen, please don't do a +wrong to the sentiments of sincere esteem and cordial friendship +invariably maintained towards you by + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 21st, 1855. + + + +133. To Louis Kohler + +My very dear Friend, + +Hans von Bulow will bring you these lines. You must enjoy +yourself in the artist who, above all other active or dying out +virtuosi; is the dearest to me, and who has, so to speak, grown +out of my musical heart.--When Hummel heard me in Paris more than +twenty-five years ago, he said, "Der Bursch ist ein +Eisenfresser." [The fellow is a bravo."] To this title, which was +very flattering to me, Hans von Bulow can with perfect justice +lay claim, and I confess that such an extraordinarily gifted, +thorough-bred musical organism as his has never come before me. + +Receive him as an approved and energetic friend, and do all you +can to make his stay in Konigsberg a pleasant one. + +Yours in friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 16th, 1855 + +The engraving of my Symphonic Poems is in progress, and in the +course of this summer five or six of them will be ready. There is +a good bit of work in it. + +At the present time I am exclusively engaged in the composition +of a "Missa Solemnis." You know that I received, from the +Cardinal Primate of Hungary, the commission to write the work for +the consecration of the cathedral at Gran, and to conduct it +there (probably on the 15th of August). + + + +134. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Sunday, March 18th, 1855 + +A few words in haste, dear friend, for I am over head and ears in +work. First and foremost, my best thanks for your communications, +with the request to continue them, even if I cannot always answer +the different points thoroughly. + +I send you herewith the title of "The Captive" [Song, by Berlioz, +for alto voice with orchestra or piano.]--the words must be +written under the notes both in French and German. There can be +no copyright claimed for this Opus in Germany, as it appeared +years ago in Paris. It is to be hoped, however, that Kahnt will +not lose by it, as he has only to bear the cost of printing--and +in any case it is a suitable work for his shop..--. + +To be brief--Panofka's [A well-known teacher of singing and +writer on music (1807-88); collaborator of the Neue Zeitschrift.] +letter, in your last number, must be regarded as a mystification. +In the first few lines a glaring falsehood, founded on facts, is +conspicuous, for the Societe de Ste. Cecile has been in existence +for years, and was formerly [1848-54] conducted by Seghers [Pupil +of Baillot (1801-81)]--not to mention that Berlioz conducted the +Societe Philharmonique, where "many Symphonies were performed," +for at least a season (of something like four years)--and then as +regards Scudo, [Musical critic and journalist in Paris (1806-64)] +it must appear incredible to see a man like that mentioned with +approval in your paper. It is well known that Scudo has, for +years past, with the unequivocal arrogance of mediocrity, taken +up the position of making the most spiteful and maliciously +foolish opposition, in the revue des Deux Mondes (the +"Grenzboten" only gives a faint impression of it), to our views +of Art, and to those men whom we honor and back up. (I can tell +you more about this by word of mouth.) If Panofka calls that +"persuasion and design," I give him my compliments...on his +silliness.-- + +Your views on the characteristic motives are right, and for my +part I would maintain them very decidedly against the bornes +attacks which they have to bear--yet I think it is advisable not +to discuss Marx's book ["The Music of the Nineteenth Century," +1855.] at present. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + + + +135. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +April 1st, 1855 + +Dear Friend, + +The question of criticism through creative and executive artists +must some time come on the tapis, and Schumann affords a +perfectly natural opportunity for it. [Liszt's article on Robert +Schumann, "Gesammelte Schriften," Vol. iv.] By the proofs of the +second article (which I thank you much for having corrected with +the necessary exactitude) you will observe that I have modified +several expressions, and have held them in more just bounds. +Believe me, dear friend, the domain of artists is in the greater +part guilty of our sluggish state of Art, and it is from this +side especially that we must act, in order to bring about +gradually the reform desired and pioneered by you. + +Tyszkiewicz's [Count Tyszkiewicz, writer on music, collaborator +of the Neue Zeitschrift.] letter gave me the idea of asking you +to make him a proposal in my name, which cannot be any +inconvenience to him. In one number of Europe artiste he +translated the article on "Fidelio." [By Liszt, "Gesammelte +Schriften," Vol. iii., I.] Should he be disposed to publish +several of my articles in the same paper, I am perfectly ready to +let him have the French originals, [Liszt's articles were, as +already mentioned, written in French and translated into German +by Cornelius.] whereby he would save time and trouble. He has +only to write to me about it; for, after his somewhat capricious +behaviour towards me, I am not particularly inclined to apply to +him direct, before he has written to me. I am in perfect +agreement with his good intentions; it is only a question how far +he is able and willing to carry them out, and how he sets about +it. His "Freischutz-Rodomontade" is a student's joke, to which +one can take quite kindly, but which one cannot hold up as a +heroic feat. If he wishes to be of use to the good cause of +musical progress, he must place and prove himself differently. +For my part I have not the slightest dislike to him, only of +course it seemed rather strange to me that, after he had written +to me several times telling me that he was coming to see me at +Weymar, and had also allowed Wagner to write a letter of +introduction for him, which he sent to me, he should ignore me, +as it were, during his long stay in Leipzig. This does not of +course affect the matter in hand, and I am not in the least angry +at his want of attention, but I simply wait till it occurs to him +to behave like a reasonable man. + +I thank you for your tidings about Dietrich--although I am +accustomed to expect less, rather than more, from people. + +On the 9th April Schumann's "Genoveva" will be given here--and I +think I may venture to promise before-hand that the performance +will be a far better one than that at Leipzig. Fraulein Riese +will tell you about the "Transfiguration of the Lord." [Oratorio +by Kuhmstedt] Of this kind there should certainly be no more +[oratorios The word is missing in the original, as the corner of +the letter is cut off] composed. + +Yours in friendship, + +F. Liszt + + + +136. To Anton Rubinstein + +My dear Rubinstein, + +Gurkhaus has just sent me a copy of your "Persian Songs," on the +title-page of which there is a mistake which I beg you to get +corrected without delay. The Grand Duchess Sophie is no longer +"Hereditary Grand Duchess," but "Grand Duchess" pure and simple, +and I think it would not do to send her the dedicatory copy with +this extra word. Please write therefore to Gurkhaus to see to it. + +In the number of the Blatter fur Musik which has come to me I +have read with great pleasure and satisfaction Zellner's article +on your first concert in Vienna. It is not only very well written +but thoroughly well conceived, and of the right tone and manner +to maintain for criticism its right and its raison d'etre. I +second it very sincerely for the just eulogy it gives to your +works; and, if you have the opportunity, make my compliments to +Zellner, to whom I wrote a few lines the other day. This article +coincides rather singularly with that which appeared in the Neue +Zeitschrift (No. II.) on Robert Schumann, in which I probed +rather deeply into the question of criticism. If you believe me, +my dear Rubinstein, you will not long delay making yourself of +the party; for, for the few artists who have sense, intelligence, +and a serious and honest will, it is really their duty to take up +the pen in defense of our Art and our conviction--it matters +little, moreover, on which side of the opinions represented by +the Press you think it well to place yourself. Musical literature +is a field far too little cultivated by productive artists, and +if they continue to neglect it they will have to bear the +consequences and to pay their damages. + +With regard to Weymar news, I beg to inform you that this evening +Kulhmstedt's oratorio "The Transfiguration of the Lord" will be +given at the theater, under the very undirecting direction of the +composer. I cannot, unfortunately, return him the compliment he +paid you at Wilhelmsthal--"Young man, you have satisfied me"; +for, after having heard it at three rehearsals, I found no +satisfaction in it either for my ears or my mind: it is the old +frippery of counterpoint--the old unsalted, unpeppered sausage, +[Figure: Musical example] + +etc., rubbish, to the ruin of eye and ear! I will try to leave it +out in my Mass, although this style is very usual in composing +Church music. In five or six weeks I hope to have finished this +work, at which I am working heart and soul (the Kyrie and Gloria +are written). Perhaps I shall still find you at Vienna (or in the +outskirts, which are charming), when I come to Gran in the month +of July. + +If not, we shall see each other again at Weymar, for you owe me a +compensation for your last fugue, which is no more to my taste +than Kuhmstedt's counterpoint. When are you going to send me the +complete works of Anton Rubinstein that you promised me, and +which I beg you not to forget? Your idea of a retrospective +Carnival seems to me excellent, and you know how to write +charming and distinguished pieces of that kind. + +Farewell, dear friend; I must leave you to go and have a +rehearsal of Schumann's "Genoveva," which is to be given next +Monday. It is a work in which there is something worthy of +consideration, and which bears a strong impress of the composer's +style. Among the Operas which have been produced during the last +fifty years it is certainly the one I prefer (Wagner excepted-- +that is understood), notwithstanding its want of dramatic +vitality--a want not made up for by some beautiful pieces of +music, whatever interest musicians of our kind may nevertheless +take in hearing them. + +A thousand cordial greetings, and yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, April 3rd, 1855 + +When you write to me, please add your address. I beg you will +also return my best compliments to Lewy. [Pianist in St. +Petersburg; a friend of Rubinstein's.] + +A thousand affectionate messages to Van II. from the Princess. + + + +137. To Freiherr Beaulieu-Marconnay, Intendant of the Court +theater at Weimar + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Hermann Scholtz, Kammer- +Virtuosos in Dresden. The addressee died in Dresden.] + +Dear Baron, + +It is not precisely a distraction, still less a forgetfulness, +with which I might be reproached as regards the programme of this +evening's concert. The indications which Her Royal Highness the +Grand Duchess condescends to give me are too precious to me for +me not to be most anxious to fulfill at least all my duties. If, +then, one of Beethoven's Symphonies does not figure in today's +programme, it is because I thought I could better satisfy thus +the intentions of H.R.H., and that I permitted myself to guess +that which she has not taken the occasion to explain this time. +The predilection of His Majesty the King of Saxony for +Beethoven's Symphonies assuredly does honor to his taste for the +Beautiful in music, and no one could more truly agree to that +than I. I will only observe, on the one side, that Beethoven's +Symphonies are extremely well known, and, on the other, that +these admirable works are performed at Dresden by an orchestra +having at its disposal far more considerable means than we have +here, and that consequently our performance would run the risk of +appearing rather provincial to His Majesty. Moreover if Dresden, +following the example of Paris, London, Leipzig, Berlin, and a +hundred other cities, stops at Beethoven (to whom, while he was +living, they much preferred Haydn and Mozart), that is no reason +why Weymar--I mean musical Weymar, which I make the modest +pretension of representing--should keep absolutely to that. There +is without doubt nothing better than to respect, admire, and +study the illustrious dead; but why not also sometimes live with +the living? We have tried this plan with Wagner, Berlioz, +Schumann, and some others, and it would seem that it has not +succeeded so badly up to now for there to be any occasion for us +to alter our minds without urgent cause, and to put ourselves at +the tail--of many other tails!-- + +The significance of the musical movement of which Weymar is the +real center lies precisely in this initiative, of which the +public does not generally understand much, but which none the +less acquires its part of importance in the development of +contemporary Art. + +For the rest, dear Baron, I hasten to make all straight for this +evening by following your advice, and I will ask Messrs. Singer +and Cossmann to play with me Beethoven's magnificent trio (in B- +flat--dedicated to the Archduke Rudolph), as No. 3 in the +programme. + +A thousand affectionate compliments, and + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Monday, May 21st, 1855 + + + +138. To Anton Rubinstein + +My dear Rubinstein, + +On my return from the Musical Festival at Dusseldorf, where I +hoped to meet you, I found the parcel of oeuvres choisies and the +portrait, which is very successful, of Van II. I hasten to give +you my best thanks for this first sending, begging you not to +forget your promise to complete, in the course of their +publication, the collection of your works, which have for me +always a double interest of Art and friendship. This morning we +had a taste, with Singer and Cossmann, of the Trio in G minor, of +which I had kept a special recollection--and afterwards Princess +Marie Wittgenstein (who commissions me to give all her thanks to +you, until she can have the pleasure of giving them to you in +person) demanded the pieces dedicated to her, which had complete +success. A propos of dedications, the Grand Duchess Sophie is +enchanted with the "Persische Lieder" ["Persian Songs"], and this +she has probably already intimated to you. Shortly before her +departure for Dusseldorf she sang several of them over again, +taking more and more liking to them. Decidedly the first +impression that these "Lieder" made on me, when you showed them +to me, and when I begged you to publish them without delay, was +just, and I have not been deceived in predicting for them a +quasi-popular success. Mdlle. Genast, who has returned from +Berlin, tells me that she made a furor there with "Wenn es doch +immer so bliebe!" ["Oh, could it remain so for ever!"] But, +unfortunately, as an older song has it, "it cannot remain so for +ever under the changing moon!" The last time I was passing +through Leipzig (where they gave my "Ave Maria" exceedingly well +at the Catholic Church), I told Gotze to appropriate to himself +three or four of your "Persische Lieder," which he will sing +splendidly; and, as he comes here pretty often, I will beg him to +give us the first hearing of them at some Court concert. The +Grand Duchess Olga is expected for the day after tomorrow; and +if, as is probable, they treat her to a little concert, I shall +take advantage of the opportunity to make her become better +acquainted with the Trios you dedicated to her, and which I +consider as among your best works. In the parcel I noticed the +absence of "L'Album de Kamennoi-Ostrow," which I should like to +make known, or, better still, to offer from you to H.I.H. the +Dowager Grand Duchess, and which I want you to send me for this +purpose. + +If by chance you pass through Bonn, do not forget to go and see +Professor Kilian, who has been interested in you from very old +times, and with whom we talked much of you and your works during +the journey from Cologne to Dusseldorf. + +Write me word soon what you are doing now. I, for my part, shall +spend the summer at Weymar, up to the time of my journey to Gran +(June-August). I count on your promise to come and see me in the +autumn, unless your road should lead you into these parts sooner. +You may be very sure of being always most welcome at the +Altenburg--and, even if a number of those holding our musical +opinions should meet still less often than in the past, that +would not in any way influence the very sincere feelings of +friendship and esteem which I bear towards you and keep towards +you invariably. When we see each other again, you will find my +"Divina Commedia" pretty far advanced; I have sketched a plan of +it (a Symphony in three parts: the two first, "Hell" and +"Purgatory," exclusively instrumental; the third, "Paradise," +with chorus): but I cannot set myself entirely to this work until +I have finished the new score of my choruses from Herder's +"Prometheus," which I am rewriting in order to have it printed +shortly after the publication of my Symphonic Poems, six of which +will come out next October. + +I am very curious to see what your new case of manuscripts will +contain. Have you set to work on "Paradise Lost"? I think that +would be the most opportune work for taking possession of your +fame as a composer. + +A thousand cordial expressions of friendship, and + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +June 3rd, 1855 + + + +139. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +[Weimar, June 1855] + +Dear Friend, + +Best thanks for your munificence. The weed [Cigars] is very +welcome, and you will have to answer for it if it induces me to +importune you with some more columns. Meanwhile I send you the +proofs of the second Berlioz article, together with a fresh +provision of manuscripts, and with the next proofs you will get +the end. + +I will also send you very soon a report of the Dusseldorf Musical +Festival (not by me), the authorship of which I beg you to keep +strictly anonymous. Probably he will be piquant and forcible. On +the whole, and also in detail, the Dusseldorf Musical Festival +can only be described as a great success, and I, for my part, +rejoice in this and every success without particularly envying +it. My task is quite a different one, the solution of which is by +no means troubled thereby. + +If you should by any chance have read that I am going to America +(!--there are many people who would be glad to have me out of +sight!), and that a Leipzig virtuoso (in Leipzig such animals as +virtuosi are seldom to be met with!) is going to take my place +here, you can simply laugh, as I have done, at this old canard-- +but don't say anything to contradict it in your paper; such bad +jokes are not worth noticing, and are only good as finding food +for inquisitive Philistines. In a few days I hope to be able +again to do something serious with my work, and shall not leave +Weymar until my journey to Hungary (at the end of August). +Gutzkow's appointment is still in suspense, but is not +impossible. Have you read Frau Marr's (Sangalli's) brochure, +brought out by Otto Wigand? The pages which she devotes to my +work here may perhaps interest you, and I have absolutely nothing +to complain of in them, especially in view of the fact that I +have not hitherto been able to go "hand in hand" with Marr. Marr +has, moreover, according to what he told me, given in his +resignation as artistic Director, [At the Weimar Court theater] +and one cannot get clear about the entire theater-management for +some weeks to come. I keep myself very passive in the matter, and +don't fish in troubled waters. Thus much is certain--that if +Weymar wants to do anything regular, it cannot do without my +ideas and influence. About the rest I don't need to trouble +myself. Last Sunday we held a satisfactory performance of +"Tannhauser" in honor of the Princess of Prussia--and next Monday +the opera will be repeated. + +Friendly greetings to your wife from your almost too active +fellow-worker and friend, + +F. Liszt + +I am writing to Fraulein Riese one of these next days, to invite +her to the performance of my Mass at Jena. [The Mass for male +voices was performed there in the latter half of June.] + + + +140. To Dr. Franz Brendel. + +[The first sheet of the original is missing] + +Evers' [Doubtless Carl Evers (1819-75), composed Sonatas, Salon +pieces, etc.] letter has amused me, and it will cost you but +little diplomacy to conciliate the sensitive composer. You know +what I think of his talent for composition. From people like that +nothing is to be expected as long as they have not learned to +understand that they are uselessly going round and round in what +is hollow, dry, and used up. That good Flugel [Music writer and +composer; at that time teacher in a school at Neuwied; now +organist at the Castle at Stettin.] has also little power of +imagination, although a little more approach to something more +earnest, which has at least this good in itself--that it checks a +really too naive productiveness...His letter on the Dusseldorf +Musical Festival is again a little bit of Barenzucker +[Liquorice.] (reglisse in French), and W.'s article in comparison +with it quite a decent Pate Regnault. When we see each other +again I will make this difference clear to you--meanwhile make +the Rhinelanders happy with the latter, and don't be afraid of +the whispers which it may perhaps call forth; for, I repeat, it +contains nothing untrue or exaggerated, and in your position of +necessary opposition it would be inconsistent if you were to keep +back views of that kind from the public. + +With the most friendly greeting, your + +F. Liszt + +June 16th, 1855. + +My Mass for male voices and organ (published by Hartel two years +ago) will be given next week at the church in Jena. As soon as +the day is fixed I will let Fraulein Riese know. + +Once more I recommend you to keep the W. article strictly +anonymous. + + + +141. To Concertmeister [Leader of orchestra] Edmund Singer. + +Dear Singer, + +If I write but seldom to my friends there is, besides other +reasons, one principal cause for it, in that I have but seldom +anything agreeable or lively to tell them. Since your departure +very little has happened here that would interest you. One half +of our colleagues of the Neu-Weymar-Verein [New Weymar Union] is +absent--Hoffmann in Holland, Preller in the Oldenburg woods, +Pruckner and Schreiber at Goslar, etc., etc.--so that our +innocent reunions (which finally take place in the room of the +shooting-house) are put off for several weeks. Cornelius is +working at a Mass for men's voices--on the 15th of August we +shall hear it in the Catholic Church. I, on my side, am working +also at a Psalm (chorus, solos, and orchestra), which will be +ready by your return, in spite of all interruptions which I have +to put up with by constant visits. An exceptionally agreeable +surprise to me was Hans von Bulow, who spent a couple of days +here, and brought with him some new compositions, amongst which I +was particularly pleased with a very interesting, finely +conceived, and carefully worked-out "Reverie fantastique." Until +the 15th of August (when his holidays end) he remains in +Copenhagen, where he will certainly meet with a friendly +reception. Perhaps next summer you would be inclined to go there. +You would find it a very pleasant neighborhood, and many pleasant +people there, who have also been agreeably remembered by me. If I +had time, I would gladly go there again for a couple of weeks, to +find a little solitude in the Zoological Gardens and to forget +somewhat other bestialities. [Probably a play on the words +Thiergarten (beast-garden) and Bestialitaten] This satisfaction +is not so easily attainable for me elsewhere. + +I envy you immensely about Patikarius [Hungarian gipsy +orchestras] and Ketskemety. [Hungarian gipsy orchestras] This +class of music is for me a sort of opium, of which I am sometimes +sorely in need. If you should by chance see Kertbeny, who has now +obtained a logis honoraire, please tell him that my book on the +Gipsies and Gipsy Music is already almost entirely translated by +Cornelius, and that I will send it to him by the autumn. But beg +him at the same time not to write tome, as it is impossible for +me to start a detailed correspondence with K. + +I sent the pianoforte arrangement (with the voices) yesterday to +Herr von Augusz, with the request that he would present them, +when he had an opportunity, to His Eminence Cardinal Scitowsky. +The Mass [Liszt's Graner Messe.] will not take up an excessively +long time, either in performance or studying. But it is +indispensable that I should conduct the general rehearsal as well +as the performance myself; for the work cannot be ranked amongst +those in which ordinary singing, playing, and arrangement will +suffice, although it offers but small difficulties. It is a +matter of some not usual trifles in the way of accent, devotion, +inspiration, etc. + +When are you coming back, dear Singer? Only bring home with you +an orderly packet of manuscripts, that is to say to Weymar, where +I hope that you will feel yourself more and more at home. + +The members of our Club who are still here send you the most +friendly greetings by me, to which I add a cordial "auf baldiges +Wiedersehen" ["May we soon meet again!"]. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +August 1st, 1855 + +P.S.--Joachim is going to make a walking tour in Tyrol. I hope he +will come and see us on his return. Berlioz proposes to give some +concerts in Vienna and Prague next December. I shall probably +postpone my journey to Wagner (at Zurich) until November. I shall +remain here for the next few months, in order to write several +things in readiness for the winter. + + + +142. To Bernhard Cossmann In Baden-Baden + +Wilhelmsthal, August 15th, 1855 + +Here am I really on the road to Baden-Baden, dear friend; but +that does not advance matters at all, and in spite of myself I +must resign myself to remain en route. Tomorrow morning I return +to Weymar, where I have promised to meet my two daughters, as +well as Mr. Daniel [Liszt's son], who has pretty well +distinguished himself at the general competition. After passing +ten days or so with me the girls will take up their abode with +Madame de Bulow at Berlin, who is good enough to take charge of +them, and Daniel will return to Paris to continue his studies +there. I was hoping also to be able to spend a week or two there- +-but that cannot possibly be arranged, and on reflection I was +obliged to limit myself to conducting the Princess W[ittgenstein] +as far as Eisenach, whence she has continued her journey to Paris +with her daughter (with the special view of seeing the exhibition +of pictures there); and for my exhibition I shall content myself +with that to the north, which I can enjoy from the windows of my +room!--This picturesque solemnity is almost up to the height of +the musical solemnities of Baden which you describe to me in such +bright and lively colors, but with this difference, that at +Wilhelmsthal we are very much favored by the element of damp, +whereas at Baden the artists who give concerts are drained dry. + +At Weymar all the world is out of doors, and the town is pretty +full of nothing, offering to the curiosity of travelers only the +trenches and practical circumvallations in honor of gas-lighting +which they are going to start in October. Singer is bathing in +the Danube (at Ofen), and tells me he shall be back by the roth +of September; Raff is promenading amid the rose and myrtle +shrubberies of his "Sleeping Beauty" at Wiesbaden; Stor is +returning with his pockets full of new nuances which he has +discovered at Ilmenau, where he has composed (as a pendant to my +Symphonic Poem) "Ce qu'on entend dans la vallee"! ["What is heard +in the valley." Liszt's work bears the title "Ce qu'on entend sur +la montagne" ("What is heard on the mountain.")] Preller +[Friedrich Preller, the celebrated painter of the Odyssey +pictures] has found beautiful trees in the Duchy of Oldenburg +which serve him as a recovery of the "Recovery" [Or a "recreation +of the Recreation." I do not know which is meant. The original is +"qui lui servent d'Erholung von der 'Erholung.'"--Translator's +note.]; Martha Sabinin [A pupil of Liszt's, a Russian] is +haunting the "Venusberg" in the neighborhood of Eisenach in +company with Mademoiselle de Hopfgarten; Bronsart [Hans von +Bronsart, Liszt's pupil, now General-Intendant at Weimar] is gone +to a sort of family congress at Konigsberg; and Hoffman [Hoffmann +von Fallersleben, the well-known poet] is running through Holland +and Belgium to make a scientific survey of them; whilst Nabich is +trying to gain the ears of England, Scotland, and Ireland with +his trombone! + +I, for my part, am in the midst of finishing the 13th Psalm (for +tenor solo, chorus, and orchestra), "How long wilt Thou forget +me, O Lord?" which you will hear this winter; and I shall not +leave Weymar till November to go and pay a few days' visit to +Wagner at Zurich. Don't altogether forget me, my dear Cossmann, +in the midst of your solemnities----[The end of the letter was +lost.] + + + +143. To August Kiel, Court Conductor in Detmold + +[Autograph (without address) in the possession of M. Alfred +Bovet, of Valentigney. The contents lead to the conclusion that +the above was the addressee (1813-71).] + +I have been prevented until now, by a mass of work and little +outings, from sending you my warmest thanks for your kind +forwarding of the opera text of "Sappho," and I beg that you will +kindly excuse this delay. The manner in which Rietz's composition +to the Schiller dithyramb is to be interwoven with the poem I +cannot venture fully to explain. I confess also that the +dramatico-musical vivifying of the antique is for me a sublime, +attractive problem, as yet undecided, in the solution of which +even Mendelssohn himself has not succeeded in such a degree as to +leave nothing further to be sought for. Some years ago "Sappho" +(in three acts--text by Augier, music by Gounod) was given at the +Paris Opera. This work contains much that is beautiful, and +Berlioz has spoken of it very favorably in the Journal des +Debats. Unfortunately it did not appear in print, and up to the +present time no other theater has performed it, although it made +a sensation in Paris and ensured a first-rate position to the +composer. If it would interest you, dear sir, to get to know the +score, I will willingly write to Gounod and beg him to give me +the work to send to you. + +I have repeatedly heard the most gratifying tidings of the +sympathy and care which you bestow in Detmold upon the works of +Wagner and Berlioz. Regardless of the many difficulties, +opposition, and misunderstandings which meet these great +creations, I cherish with you the conviction that "nothing truly +good and beautiful is lost in the stream of Time," and that the +pains taken by those who intend to preserve the higher and the +divine in Art do not remain fruitless. In the course of this +autumn (at the end of November at latest) I am going to see +Wagner, and I promise to send you from Zurich a little autograph +from his hand. I would gladly satisfy your wish sooner, but that +the letters which Wagner writes to me are a perfectly inalienable +benefit to me, and you will not take it amiss if I am more than +avaricious with them. + +Accept, my dear sir, the assurance of my highest esteem, with +which I remain + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 8th, 1855 + +Enclosed are Berlioz' letter and the manuscript of "Sappho." + + + +144. To Moritz Hauptmann + +[The celebrated theorist and cantor of the Thomashirche in +Leipzig (1792-1868)] + +Very dear Sir, + +By the same post I send you, with best and warmest thanks for +your friendly letter, the volume of Handel's works which contains +the anthems. The second of them, "Zadok the Priest and Nathan the +Prophet anointed Solomon King," is a glorious ray of Handel's +genius, and one might truly quote, of the first verse of this +anthem, the well-known saying, "C'est grand comme le monde." ["It +is as great as the world."]-- + +The cantata "L'Allegro, il Pensieroso," etc., enchants me less, +yet it has interested me much as an important contribution to +imitative music; and, if you will kindly allow me, I want to keep +the volume here a few days longer and to send it back with the +two others. + +I agree entirely, on my side, with your excellent criticism of +Raimondi's triple oratorio ["Joseph," an oratorio by the Roman +composer, consisting of three parts, which was given with great +success in the Teatro Argentina in Rome in 1852]. There is little +to seek on that road, and still less to find. The silver pfennig +(in the Dresden Art-Cabinet), on which ten Pater Noster are +engraved, has decidedly the advantage of harmlessness to the +public over such outrages to Art, and the Titus Livius, composed +by Sechter, will probably have to moulder away very +unhistorically as waste-paper. Later on Sechter can write a +Requiem for it, together with Improperias over the corruption of +the taste of the times, which have found his work so little to +their taste. + +With the pleasant expectation of greeting you soon in Leipzig, +and of repeating to you my best thanks, I remain, my dear sir, +with the highest esteem, + +Yours truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 28th, 1855 + + + +145. To Eduard Liszt + +I have just received your last letter, dearest Eduard, and will +not wait till Vienna to give you my warm thanks for your faithful +friendship, which you always prove to me so lovingly on all +possible occasions. The Mozart Festival seems to me now to have +taken the desired turn--that which I suggested from the +beginning--and to shape itself into a festival of "concord, +harmony, and artistic enthusiasm of the combined Art-fellowships +of Vienna." [Liszt was invited by the magistrate of the city of +Vienna to conduct two concerts on the 27th and 28th of January, +1856, for the celebration of the centenary of Mozart's +birth.] + +It is to be hoped that I shall not stick fast in my task, and +shall not let this opportunity go by without attaining the +suitable standpoint in Vienna. + +Meanwhile I rejoice at the satisfactory prospects which present +themselves for the Mozart Festival, and greet you heartily. + +F. L. + +Berlin, December 3rd, 1855 + +You will have the most favorable news from Berlin. + + + +146. To Frau Meyerbeer in Berlin + +[The wife of the composer of the Huguenots (1791-1864), with whom +Liszt stood all his life in such friendly relations that it is +very extraordinary that there are no Liszt letters extant among +Meyerbeer's possessions.] + +Madame, + +Your gracious lines only reached me at the moment of my leaving +Berlin, so that it was no longer possible for me to avail myself +of the kind permission you were good enough to give me. +Nevertheless, as it is to be presumed that neither the brilliant +departure of which I was the hero a dozen years ago, nor the less +flattering dismissal with which the infallible criticism of your +capital has gratified me this time, will prevent me from +returning from time to time, and without too long an interval, to +Berlin (according to the requirements of my instructions and of +my artistic experiments), I venture to claim from your kindness +the continuation of your gracious reception, and thus venture to +hope that the opportunity will soon arise for me to have the +honor of renewing viva voce, Madame, the expression of my +respectful homage. + +Your very devoted servant, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December. 14th, 1855 + +The Princess Wittgenstein is much pleased with your remembrance, +and would be delighted to have the opportunity of thanking you +personally. + + + +147. To his worship Dr. Ritter von Seiler, mayor of the city of +Vienna, etc. + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet, of Valentigne--. +VOL. I.] + +Your worship and dear Mr. Mayor, + +The willingness which I had already expressed, at the first +mention of the impending Mozart Festival, becomes to me, by your +kind letter of the 19th of December (which I only received +yesterday, owing to the delay from its having gone to Berlin), a +duty, which it is equally my honor and pleasure to fulfill. With +the utmost confidence and conviction that the resolution of the +Town Council will meet with the fullest assent and most +gratifying recognition among all circles of society--the +resolution is as follows: "That all undertakings in connection +with the Mozart Secular Festival shall be conducted and carried +out in the name of the city of Vienna,"--and in agreement with +the honorable motives of the Town Council "to lend to the +festivities the worthy and higher expression of universal +homage," I, for my part, undertake with the most grateful +acknowledgments the commission to conduct the Festival Concert on +the 27th January, 1856, and its repetition on the 28th according +to your desire; and I hope to fulfill quite satisfactorily every +just claim which is made on the musical director of such a +celebration. + +Although the excellent orchestra, chorus, and staff of singers in +Vienna--long intimate with Mozart's works--afford the complete +certainty of a most admirable performance, yet I think it is +desirable that I should come a couple of weeks before the concert +is to take place, in order to have time for the necessary +rehearsals; and immediately on my arrival. I shall have the honor +of paying my respects to you, dear Mr. Mayor, and of placing +myself at the service of the Festival Committee. + +In the programme which has been sent to me, the music of which +will take about three hours in performance, I am pleased with the +prospect before us, that the glories which Mozart unfolds in the +different domains of Art--Symphony, Opera, Church, and Concert +music-are taken into account, and that thus the manifold rays of +his genius are laid hold of, as far as is possible in the limits +of a concert programme. Whilst thoroughly agreeing with the +performance of the different items as a whole, I have +nevertheless one request to make--namely, that you would be good +enough to excuse me from the performance of the Mozart Pianoforte +Concerto which has been so kindly designed for me, and that this +number may be given to some other pianist of note. Apart from the +fact that for more than eight years I have not appeared anywhere +in public as a pianist, and that many considerations lead me to +adhere firmly to my negative resolve in this respect, the fact +that the direction of the Festival will require my entire +attention may prove, in this case, my sufficient excuse. + +Accept, Your Worship, the assurance of the high esteem with which +I have the honor to remain, + +Dear Mr. Mayor, yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 26th, 1855. + + + +148. To Eduard Liszt + +My very dear Eduard, + +Scarcely had I returned to Weymar [From the Mozart Festival at +Vienna.] when I again put on my travelling coat to help in +Berlioz' concert at Gotha, which took place the day before +yesterday--and the whole day yesterday was spent in rehearsals of +"Cellini;" followed by a Court concert in the evening (in honor +of H.R.H. the Prince Regent of Baden); so that this morning is +the first leisure moment I have had to take up my pen again and +my position...at my writing-table. I profit by it first of all to +tell you how happy I am in this earnest intimacy, as sincerely +felt as it is conscientiously considered--this real intimacy of +ideas and feelings at the same time--which has been cemented +between us in these latter years, and which my stay in Vienna has +fully confirmed. All noble sentiments require the full air of +generous conviction, which maintains us in a region superior to +the trials, accidents, and troubles of this life. Thanks to +Heaven, we two breathe this air together, and thus we shall +remain inseparably united until our last day! + +I am sending you after this the document which serves as a basis +to the Bach-Gesellschaft [Bach Society], from which it will be +easy to make out an analogous one for the publication of Mozart's +complete works. I earnestly invite and beg you to carry out this +project to its realization. + +According to my ideas, the "Friends of Music in Austria" should +constitute and set the matter going, and the Royal State Press +should be employed for it, especially as one can foresee that +special favors might be obtained from the Ministry. Probably the +whole Festival Committee of the Mozart Celebration will also +consent to this undertaking, in the sense that, by an edition of +Mozart's works, critically explained, equally beautifully +printed, and revised by a committee appointed for it, a +universally useful, lasting, and living monument to the glorious +Master will be formed, which will bring honor and even material +gain to all Austrian lovers of music and to the city of Vienna +itself. Without doubt, if the matter is rightly conducted, it +will also pay well and be pretty easy to carry through. In about +twelve years the whole edition can be completed. In the +composition of the Committee of Revision I stipulate to call your +attention to a few names. Spohr, Meyerbeer, Fetis, Otto Jahn, +Oulibicheff, Dr. Hartel--among foreigners these ought especially +to have a share in the matter; and a special rubric must be given +to the cost of revision. The work of proof-correcting, as well as +the special explanations, commentaries, comparisons of the +different editions, ought not to be expected gratis; therefore a +fixed sum should be applied to it. Haslinger, Spina, and Gloggl, +being Vienna publishers, ought specially to be considered, and +would be the best to direct the propagation and regular sending +out of the volume, which is to appear on the 27th of January +every year. + +At Spina's you would find several volumes of the Bach- +Gesellschaft, to which is always added a list of the subscribers +and a statement of accounts for the past year. + +I advise you to keep on good terms with Zellner, who was the +first to air the subject in his paper (after I had invited him to +do so), and to get him into the proposed Committee, if the matter +be taken up in earnest. In the Committee of Revision Schmidt (the +librarian) and Holz must not be forgotten. With regard to my +humble self, I don't want to be put forward, but simply to take +my place in alphabetical order; but please explain beforehand +that I am ready to undertake any work which they may think fit to +apportion to me. I likewise undertake to invite the Grand Duke of +Weimar, the Duke of Gotha, etc., to become subscribers. + +The whole affair must bear the impress of an Art enterprise--and +in this sense the invitation to a Mozart-Verein [Mozart Union] +must be couched. (I leave you to decide whether you prefer the +word Mozart-Gesellschaft [Mozart Society] or Mozart-herein for +the Publication of the Complete Works of Mozart, or any other +title.) Together with this I repeat that certainly there is no +need to fear any loss in this matter, but that probably there +will be a not insignificant gain. This gain, according to my +ideas, should be formed into a capital, until the edition is +completed, to be then employed, or perhaps not till later, by the +Society of Austrian Lovers of Music for some artistic purpose to +be decided upon. + +.--. Be so good as to give Herr Krall the sum (24 florins) for +the four seats kindly placed at my disposal for the two concerts +of the Mozart Festival. Although I have only paid in cash six +gulden of the amount, because the other gentlemen insisted on +sending me several gulden, yet I expressly wish that the receipts +should not be any smaller through me--any more than that the +performance should suffer by my conducting!--Therefore please +don't forget the twenty-four gulden. + +Berlioz arrived here yesterday evening, and I shall be over head +and ears in work with Cellini, the great Court concert on the +17th, and the performance of Berlioz' Faust in the course of next +week, the preparations for which I have undertaken. + +Cellini I shall conduct--with the two others I only direct the +rehearsals. + +In faithful friendship thy Saturday, February 9th, 1856. +F. Liszt + + + +149. To Dr. von Seiler, Mayor of Vienna. [Autograph in the +possession of M. Alfred Bovet, of Valentigney.] + +Dear Sir, + +As it was not permitted me to see Your Worship again at home +before my departure, I venture to express once more in these few +lines my warmest thanks for the very great kindness shown to me +during my stay in Vienna, the remembrance of which will not fade +from my grateful thoughts. + +The worthy example which you, dear Mr. Mayor, and the Town +Council of Vienna have given on the occasion of the Mozart +Festival, guaranteed and attained the desired prosperity and +success of the affair. This example will doubtless bring forth +fruit in other places, so that the whole artist society will owe +you the most grateful acknowledgments for it. As regards myself +and my modest services on that occasion, I am very happy to think +from the kind letter signed by yourself and Herr Councillor +Riedel von Riedenau, that what I did so gladly was well done--and +I only cherish the wish that coming years may offer me an +opportunity of devoting my poor, but seriously well-intentioned +services in the cause of music to the city of Vienna, whose +musical traditions shine forth so gloriously. Accept, dear sir, +the assurance of high esteem with which I have the honor to +remain + +Your most obliged + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 10th, 1856 + + + +150. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Before everything else I must give you my warmest thanks for the +manifold proofs of your friendship and attachment which you have +given me lately; especially has the article in the last number +but one of the paper, taken from the concluding chapter of your +musical history, truly rejoiced me, and I should have written you +at once a couple of lines in grateful acknowledgment had I not +been so very much engaged, on my return here, that I have had no +leisure hour until now. In Leipzig I could only stay from the +time of one train to the other, and could not go to see any one +except Hartel, whom it was necessary for me to see. Scarcely had +I arrived here than I had to go to Gotha (where I was present at +Berlioz' concert), and the previous week we had enough to do with +the preparations and rehearsals of "Cellini" and the Court +concert. The performance this time was really capital. Caspari +had studied his part admirably, and made a good thing of it; the +opera, thanks to him, made quite a different impression from what +it did formerly, when poor Beck (now the proprietor of a cafe in +Prague, where I saw him lately) had to fit himself as best he +could into the Cellini jacket!--Probably Pohl will send you a +full account, and also mention the concert which took place the +day before yesterday at the Castle. Berlioz conducted it, and +Fraulein Bianchi very much pleased the nobility as well as the +rest of the audience--so that she is again engaged for a small +concert next Thursday. + +In contrast to many other artists of both sexes, Fraulein Bianchi +is well-bred, without being stupidly stuck up, and, in addition, +a pleasant and well-trained singer whom one can safely recommend. + +The few lines which she brought me from you were her best +introduction to me--only I will beg you, another time, not to be +in doubt as to "whether I still think of you with the old +friendship." Once for all, you may be perfectly certain on this +point, that I shall not develop any talent for Variations towards +you, but be always ready to give a proof, on every opportunity, +of how highly I prize your services in matters musical, and how +sincerely friendly I am to you personally. + +F. Liszt + +February 19th, 1856 + +Next Sunday "Lohengrin" will be given (with Fraulein Marx from +Darmstadt as Ortrude)--and on Thursday, the 28th February, the +entire "Faust" of Berlioz. + + + +151. To Dionys Pruckner in Vienna + +[Liszt's pupil; has been a professor at the Stuttgart +Conservatorium since 1858.] + +Dearest Dionysius, + +The joyful tidings of your success ever find the most joyful echo +in Weymar, and I thank you much for the pleasant tidings in your +letter. Haslinger, on his side, was so kind as to write me a full +account of your first concert, as well as the Court soiree at +H.R.H. the Archduchess Sophie's--and yesterday evening v. +Dingelstedt gave me also full details of your concert ravages in +Munich. All this plainly shows dass man Bock-Bier trinken kann, +ohne deswegen Bocke zu schiessen! [A play on words: that one may +drink "Bock" beer, without thereby making blunders.] + +I entirely approve of your intention of spending some months in +Vienna and its charming environs--also of your closer intercourse +with the Master Czerny, whose many-sided musical experiences may +be of the greatest use to you practically and theoretically. Of +all living composers who have occupied themselves especially with +pianoforte playing and composing, I know none whose views and +opinions offer so just an experience. In the twenties, when a +great portion of Beethoven's creations was a kind of Sphinx, +Czerny was playing Beethoven exclusively, with an understanding +as excellent as his technique was efficient and effective; and, +later on, he did not set himself up against some progress that +had been made in technique, but contributed materially to it by +his own teaching and works. It is only a pity that, by a too +super-abundant productiveness, he has necessarily weakened +himself, and has not gone on further on the road of his first +Sonata (Op. 6, A-flat major) and of other works of that period, +which I rate very highly, as compositions of importance, +beautifully formed and having the noblest tendency. But +unfortunately at that time Vienna influences, both social and +publishing, were of an injurious kind, and Czerny did not possess +the necessary dose of sternness to keep out of them and to +preserve his better ego. This is generally a difficult task, the +solving of which brings with it much trouble even for the most +capable and those who have the highest aims. + +When you see Czerny remember me to him as his grateful pupil and +devoted, deeply respectful friend. When I pass through Vienna +this summer, I shall rejoice to have a couple of hours with him +again. I shall probably find you still there. According to what +has been written to me, the consecration of the Gran Cathedral +will take place at the beginning of September, in which case I +shall start from here at the beginning of August. + +Excuse me for not having been willing to send you the orchestral +parts to the "Turkish Capriccio." It seemed to me, on the one +hand, unsuitable to ask Hans for it--apart from the fact that the +sending of the parts backwards and forwards from Berlin to Vienna +is very roundabout--and, on the other hand, I could not but +suppose that you would find first-rate copyists in Vienna, who +would do the copying for you far better in a fortnight. +Principles of economy are UTTERLY WORTHLESS in copying, and, if +you will believe my experience, always choose therefore the best, +and consequently most expensive, copyists for transcribing the +parts that you want. Recommend them, into the bargain, to do them +with great care, and to add the cues (which are a great help +towards a good performance). + +Bronsart wrote to you at my direction, to let you know in good +time that you should get the parts copied out in Vienna yourself, +and should look them over carefully with the copyist before the +rehearsal--a work which I have often done in earlier years, and +in which I generally make a rule of not sparing myself. + +Please find out for me at Spina's, on a convenient opportunity, +how far the engraving of the Schubert Fantasia [Fantasia in C +major, on the Wanderer.] (instrumented by me) has progressed, and +whether he can soon send me the proofs. Bronsart played the +Fantasia with orchestral accompaniment lately at Jena. + +Fare you well, dearest Dionysius, and send soon some good tidings +of yourself to + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 17th, 1856. + + + +152. To Breitkopf & Hartel + +Dear Sir, + +Whatever fate may be in store for my Symphonic Poems, however +much they may be cut up and pulled to pieces and found fault with +through their performances and reviews everywhere, yet the sight +of the beautiful manner in which these first six numbers are +published and got up will always be a pleasant satisfaction to +me, for which I give you my warmest and heartiest thanks..--. The +two scores still wanting (Nos. 1 and 9) I will send you at the +end of this month, and will request you to publish them in the +same size and manner. Although there is somewhat of the +SPECULATIVE in these things, yet [I] by no means seek + +to make a speculation of it, and only expect your friendly favor +in so far as a favorable pecuniary result may arise from it in +future years. I am expecting next time the proofs of the two- +piano arrangements, and you shall receive the two remaining piano +arrangements at the same time as the two last scores..--. + +In the matter of the Handel-Gesellschaft, [Handel Society] the +scheme of which you have sent me, pray be assured of my most +complete readiness. The choice of Messrs. Hauptmann, Dehn, +Chrysander (Otto Jahn?), as the musical directors proper, I +consider thoroughly suitable--as also of Messrs. Gervinus and +Breitkopf and Hartel as members of the committee--and, as soon as +the pecuniary basis of the undertaking is fixed, I shall not fail +to get you some subscriptions, as I did for the Bach- +Gesellschaft. + +With warm thanks and esteem, + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 15th, 1856 + +If it is possible to you to send me soon the proofs of the five +piano arrangements I shall be glad, as they make the +comprehension and spread of the scores easier. + + + +153. To Louis Kohler + +Dear Friend, + +After I had seen about your commission to Dr. Hartel, and he had +sent me your Methode, [Systematic method of teaching for +pianoforte playing and music, 1857 and 1858.] I delayed writing +to you, because the result (favorable, as might be expected) of +the little business had been already communicated to you through +Hartel, and I wished at the same time to send you somewhat of my +wares. Unfortunately, I have been hindered by multifarious +occupations from getting through the proofs of my Symphonic Poems +quickly; and, besides this, these proofs have taken up a great +deal of my time; for although I had not omitted, in the first +proofs, to have things altered in the scores many times, yet many +things looked different to me in print from what I wished them to +be, and I had to try them over again plainly with the orchestra, +have them written out again, and ask for fresh proofs. At last +the six first numbers have come out, and even if they are very +badly done I can no longer do them otherwise or better. No doubt +you have already received from Hartel the copy destined for you, +and within a short time you will receive the somewhat freely +arranged pianoforte edition--for two pianos--of the same things. +I tried at first a four-hand arrangement of them, which would be +much more practicable for sale, but gave up this mutilation, as I +saw that in four-hand pieces the working into one another of the +hands stands too much in the way of my tone-picture. The two- +piano arrangement sounds passable, if I mistake not. Bulow, +Bronsart, Pruckner, etc., have played it several times, and you +will assuredly find in Konigsberg a partner (masculine or +feminine) who will beguile you into it. I shall be very glad if +the things please you somewhat. I have labored too much in order +to realize the requisite proportion and harmony, for them to be +able to give me any other pleasure if some sympathy, and also +some understanding of the spirit of them on the part of my few +friends, does not fall to my share. However that may be, tell me, +dear friend, quite candidly, without any compliments, what +impression the pieces have made on you. The three numbers which +will appear next are still longer, worse, and more venturesome. +But I cannot let matters rest there, for these nine numbers serve +only as Prolegomena [Prologue, preface] to the "Faust" and +"Dante" Symphonies. The former is already settled and finished, +and the second more than half written out. "Away, away," [Written +in English.] with Mazeppa's horse, regardless of the lazy hack +that sticks in the mud of old patterns! + +Let me soon hear from you how you dispose of your time in +Konigsberg. In Frau Knopp you have got an excellent Ortrude. What +have you been giving this winter? Do you keep on a good +understanding with Marpurg? Is Pabst remaining in K.? + +Don't forget also to let me have your Methode (I forget the exact +title) through Hartel. Although I have grown too old and too lazy +to improve my piano-playing, yet I will get some good out of it +for my pupils, amongst whom are two or three really brave, +earnest fellows. Beyond that I have very little to tell you of +Weymar. Since Berlioz' stay here, which gave occasion for the +Litolff cudgel-smashing newspaper rubbish, Carl Formes and +Johanna Wagner have been playing here; the latter with well- +deserved and extraordinary success in Gluck's "Orpheus" and +"Iphigenia in Aulis" (in Wagner's translation and arrangement). +This evening the "Sleeping Beauty" (a fairy-tale epic), by +Joachim Raff, will be given. According to my opinion, this is +Raff's most successful and grateful work. + +Farewell, dear friend, and bear in friendly remembrance + +Your very sincere and obliged + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 24th, 1856 + + + +154. To Louis Kohler + +My Very Dear Friend, + +At last I have come out of my "Purgatory"--that is to say that I +have come to the end of my symphony to Dante's "Divina Commedia." +Yesterday I wrote the final bars of the score (which is somewhat +smaller in bulk than my "Faust" Symphony, but will take pretty +nearly an hour in performance); and today, for rest and +refreshment, I can allow myself the pleasure of giving you my +friendliest thanks for your friendly letter. The dedication of +your work "Systematic Method of Teaching for Pianoforte Playing +and Music" (the latter must not be forgotten!) pleases me much, +and you will allow me to take a modest revanche [revenge] +shortly, in dedicating one of my latest works to you. Probably +Schlesinger will bring out several books of my songs next winter, +in which you will perhaps find much that is in sympathy with your +ideas of the melody of speech. Hence I wish that you would not +refuse me the pleasure of using your name in connection with +them, and of letting it precede them, as an interpretation, as it +were, of the intention of the songs. Hartel will send you in a +couple of days the first seven numbers of the arrangements for +two pianofortes of my Symphonic Poems which have already +appeared. An arrangement of that kind is not so easy to make use +of as a four-hand one. Nevertheless, after I had tried to compass +the score of Tasso plainly into one pianoforte, I soon gave up +this project for the others, on account of the unadvisable +mutilation and defacement by the working into and through one +another of the four-hand parts, and submitted to doing without +tone and color and orchestral light and shade, but at any rate +fixing an abstract rendering of the musical contents, which would +be clear to the ear, by the two-piano arrangement (which I could +arrange tolerably freely). + +It is a very agreeable satisfaction to me that you, dear friend, +have found some interest in the scores. For, however others may +judge of the things, they are for me the necessary developments +of my inner experiences, which have brought me to the conviction +that invention and feeling are not so entirely evil in Art. +Certainly you very rightly observe that the forms (which are too +often changed by quite respectable people into formulas) "First +Subject, Middle Subject, After Subject, etc., may very much grow +into a habit, because they must be so thoroughly natural, +primitive, and very easily intelligible." Without making the +slightest objection to this opinion, I only beg for permission to +be allowed to decide upon the forms by the contents, and even +should this permission be withheld from me from the side of the +most commendable criticism, I shall none the less go on in my own +modest way quite cheerfully. After all, in the end it comes +principally to this--WHAT the ideas are, and HOW they are carried +out and worked up--and that leads us always back to the FEELING +and INVENTION, if we would not scramble and struggle in the rut +of a mere trade. + +When is your Method of teaching coming out? I rejoice beforehand +at all the incitement and forcible matter contained in it. You +will shortly receive a circular with a letter from E. Hallberger +(Stuttgart), who asks me to undertake the choice of pieces to +appear in his edition of the "Pianoforte." Do send something soon +to it; it is to be hoped that the establishing and spreading of +this collection will prove quite satisfactory. + +Fare you well in your work, dear friend, and think affectionately +of + +Yours ever sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 9th, 1856. + +P.S.--In your next letter send me your exact address. + + + +155. To Hoffmann von Fallersleben + +[The well-known poet (1798-1874), who was living at that time in +Weimar; was an intimate friend of Liszt, and in 1854 founded, +with him, the Neu-Weimar-Verein, which, under the presidency of +Liszt, was joined by all the most distinguished musicians, +authors, and painters of Weimar.] + +Dear Friend, + +In your [The second person singular is employed in this letter] +pleasant villeggiatura, where you will find no lack of the +Beautiful and Good, let yourself also be welcomed by a friend of +the New-Weymar + +School, who is truly yours. It is true I have nothing new to tell +you. You already know that the Grand Duke received your poem on +the morning of his birthday, and said the kindest things about it +to me later on. Most of our colleagues of the Neu-Weimar-Verein +are away and scattered in various countries;--Singer in Pesth; +Soupper [Eugen v. Soupper, concert singer, a countryman of +Liszt's, was in Weimar in 1855-56.] in Paris, where he is trying +the solitude of a crowd (according to Chateaubriand's expression, +"the crowd, that vast desert--not dessert--of men"); Stor [Music +director in Weimar; died 1889.] at the bathing-place Heringsdorf, +probably drawn there by a secret affinity between his herring +form and the name of the place; Winterberger in Holland, to +inspect the Haarlem and other organs, which he will certainly do +in a masterly way; and Preller goes today to Kiel. On the +Altenburg no change worth mentioning has taken place: visits of +strangers to me fail not summer or winter, and, still less, works +which have become my life's task. I might almost sing, like +Hoffmann von Fallersleben, + +"Hier sitz ich fest, ein Fels im Meer, Woran die Wellen toben; 's +geht drunter, dran and druber her--Ich bleibe fortan oben"-- + +["Here firm I sit, a rock sea-girt, On which the waves are +dashing, But I remain above, unhurt, Nor heed the waters' +lashing."] + +if only there were more waves and less marsh!-- + +My travelling plans are still somewhat vacillating, because I +cannot yet decide whether I shall go to Hungary or not. In any +case I shall go and see R. Wagner, in the middle of September at +latest, at Zurich, where Stahr at present is with his wife (Fanny +Lewald). Stahr will shortly publish a new volume of Paris Letters +(about the Exhibition), and is translating Suetonius for the +Classical Library coming out at Stuttgart. He told me that there +is a passage in Suetonius which one can quite apply to the +baptism of the Prince Imperial in Paris! After this precedent, +why might not everything in the Horoe belg, and the Weymar Year- +Book be proved as referring to something? + +Remember me most warmly to your dear Amphitrion, whom I +unfortunately did not manage to see again before her departure, +and, if the Mildes are in the same house as you, give them my +best greetings, woven into a toast. + +Fare thee well, dearest friend, and do not remain too long away. + +Thine in heartfelt friendship, + +F. Liszt Weymar, July 14th, 1856 + + + +156. To Wilhelm wieprecht, General Music Director of the Military +Corps of the State of Prussia + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Otto Lessmann at +Charlottenburg. The addressee (1802-72) was one of the inventors +of the bass-tuba, and improved many of the wind instruments.] + +Dear Friend, I learn from several Berliners, who have passed +through here, that you have had the great kindness to instrument +my march "Vom Fels zum Meer" ["From the Rock to the Ocean."] +splendidly, and have had it performed several times. Permit me to +express my warmest thanks to you for this new proof of your +friendship, and at the same time to remind you of a promise the +fulfillment of which is very much desired by me. + +It is that, in my last visit to Berlin, you were so kind as to +say that the Symphonic Poem Tasso would not be amiss arranged by +you for a military band, and you, with your well-known readiness +for action, expressed your willingness to arrange the +instrumentation accordingly. Allow me today to lay claim to half +your kind offer, and to beg you to strike out forty-two pages of +this long score, and so to dispose your arrangement that, after +the last bar of page 5 (score), you make a skip to the second bar +of page 47 (Lento assai), by this means shortening the lamento of +Tasso and of the public also. + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt of the last +bar of page 5.] + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with another musical score excerpt, from +the second bar of page 47.] + +By the same post I send you the score and the piano arrangement +(for two pianofortes) for convenience in looking it over. If the +concluding figure (Letter M., Moderato pomposo) seems to make a +better effect in the instrumentation by following the piano +arrangement with the simple quaver figure [Liszt illustrates with +a brief musical score excerpt] instead of the triplets, according +to the score, I have not the slightest objection to it, and beg +you altogether, dear friend, to feel quite free to do as you like +in the matter. The flattering thing for me would be just this-- +that the work should please you sufficiently for you to be +allowed to take what liberties you wish with it. + +Some years ago Dahlmann gave a lecture at Bonn upon immature +enthusiasm. God preserve us rather from untimely pedantry! +Certainly no one shall have to suffer from this from my side! + +I am sending you, together with the "Tasso" score, that of +"Mazeppa" also. Take an opportunity of looking at the concluding +"March" (beginning page 89 of the score):-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt] + +(N.B--It must begin with the 4/6 chord, perhaps after a couple of +introductory bars roll on the drum--without any distinct tone.) + +Perhaps the subject may suit for some occasion or other. + +Forgive me, dear friend, for being so pressing, and behold in +this only the joy which the fulfillment of your promise will give +me. Next winter I hope to give you my thanks in person in Berlin. + +Meanwhile accept the expression of high esteem of yours truly and +with all friendly acknowledgments, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 18th, 1856 + +If, as I imagine, the Finale from "Tasso" could be so arranged +that moderate military bands could play it fairly well, I should +of course be glad. However I leave it entirely in your hands to +do with it whatever seems best to you, and give you my best +thanks beforehand for your kindness. + + + +157. To Concertmeister Edmund Singer + +Dear Friend, + +In consequence of the definite decision which was made known to +me yesterday by T. R. the Titular Bishop and the Cathedral Cantor +Fekete, my Mass is to be performed on the day of the +consecration. [Of the Cathedral of Gran] I shall therefore get to +Pest by the 11th or 12th August, as I had previously arranged, +and shall be very glad to see you and two or three others of my +friends again. I am also reckoning on you for certain as leader +of the orchestra at the rehearsals and performance of the Mass. I +am writing tomorrow to Winterberger, who is making a tremendous +sensation in Holland, to beg him to undertake the organ part, and +to be in Pest by the middle of August. + +While speaking of Holland, I may add that Herr Vermeulen (General +Secretary of the "Maatschappy" ["Maatschappy tot bevordering der +toonkunst."]) is coming to see me here early in August. This +offers me a good opportunity of being of service to you in regard +to your concert arrangements in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, etc., of +which I will not fail to make use. More of this viva voce. +Meanwhile, it would be better for you not to write there. + +I enclose several notes of acknowledgment for E., Dr. F., B. and +K., to which I beg you will kindly attend. + +And now one more commission, which you can easily fulfill through +Rosavoegly, [Music publisher in Budapest] with my best greetings +to him. In my reply to the official letter of H. R. von Fekete +yesterday I forgot to repeat that, in order to avoid loss of +time, it is easy to have the voice parts (solos and chorus) +written out before my arrival, and as carefully as possible, +clean and clearly. I will willingly discharge the copyist's fee, +and the orchestral parts I will bring with me together with the +score, so that the rehearsals may begin as soon as the performers +taking part in it are assigned to me. + +I confidently hope that we shall have a very fine performance, +without trouble and worry, and one in which musicians as well as +audience will find pleasure and edification. The length of the +Mass will also fulfill the required dimensions, and yesterday I +hunted out a couple of "cuts," which could be made, if necessary, +without any essential harm to the work. You know, dear Singer, +that I am a special virtuoso in the matter of making cuts, in +which no one else can easily approach me!-- + +I am simply not disposed, in spite of much prudent advice, to cut +my Mass and myself altogether, all the less so as my friends and +countrymen have on this occasion shown themselves so kind and +good to me. I therefore owe it to them to give them active proof +that their confidence and sympathy in me are not wholly +undeserved--and with God's help this shall be irrefragably +proved! + +For the rest I want to keep very quiet and private this time in +Pest. Composers of my sort write, it is true, plenty of drum and +trumpet parts, but by no means require the too common flourish of +trumpets and drums, because they are striving after a higher aim, +which is not to be attained by publicity. + +"Auf baldiges Wiedersehen," ["To a speedy meeting"] dear friend-- +I leave here by the 9th August at latest. Meanwhile best thanks +for your letter,--and + +Ever yours, + +F. Liszt + +July 28th, 1856. + + + +158. To Joachim Raff + +[Raff (1822-82) lived, as is well known, for some years in Weimar +(first of all as Liszt's secretary), and at that time joined the +Liszt tendencies as a composer, afterwards going other ways.] + +Dear Sir and Friend, + +It is very pleasant to me to find from your letter that you have +taken aright the recognition in my article on the "Sleeping +Beauty," and see unequivocally in its attitude a fresh proof of +the high estimation in which I hold your artistic powers, as well +as of my readiness to be of use to you as far as my insight and +loyalty in Art matters will permit me. In this first discussion +of a work so much thought of and so widespread, it was most +important that I should draw the attention of Art-fellowship to +your entire works and higher endeavors during the past six years. +You will still give me the opportunity, I hope, later on, of +spreading much deserved praise and of placing more in the shade +any chance differences in our views. If I have not placed you +this time so completely as I should have wished among the musical +fellowship of the time, like a Peter Schlemihl,[The man without a +shadow--German fable.] this was partly in consequence of your own +oft-repeated advice that "one should not exclusively praise men +and works if one wishes to be useful to them."[Neue Zeitschrift +fur Musik. Later "Gesammelte Schriften," vol. v.] + +I do not always agree with you in this view, but on this occasion +I hope I have hit the happy medium. + +Accept my best thanks for the friendly interest you have shown in +my orchestral compositions in the concert direction of Wiesbaden. +Whether I shall be able to comply with several invitations for +concerts in the coming winter depends on a good many +circumstances which I cannot quite settle beforehand. But in any +case I shall be glad if my compositions become more widely +spread, and perhaps during your present stay in Wiesbaden the +opportunity may offer of conducting one or two numbers of the +Symphonic Poems, in accordance with your previous intentions. + +At the end of next week at latest I set out for Gran, to conduct +my Mass on the 31st of August (in celebration of the consecration +of the Basilica). Toward the middle of September I go to Zurich, +where, if I am not prevented by any special hindrances, for which +I always have to be prepared, I think of spending a couple of +weeks with Wagner. + +Fare you well, dear Raff, and send soon some tidings of yourself +to + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 31st, 1856. + +Hans von Bulow has been with me a couple of days, and goes to +Baden-Baden the day after tomorrow. Winterberger is scoring an +extraordinary triumph by his organ-playing in Holland, and played +the Prophete and BACH Fugue [Fugue on the name of Bach] before an +audience of two thousand people with immense success. + +Do not forget to give my friendly greetings to Genast [the +celebrated Weimar actor, afterwards Raff's father-in-law] and my +homage to Mademoiselle Doris [Afterwards Raff's wife, an +excellent actress]. + + + +159. To Anton Rubinstein + +It is a very great regret to me, my dear Rubinstein, to have to +miss your visit the day after tomorrow, of which you sent me word +by Mr. Hallberger. You know what a sincere pleasure it always is +to me to see you again, and what a lively interest I take in your +new works. This time in particular I am at high tension about the +completion of your Paradise Lost. If the continuation and the end +correspond with the beginning which you showed me, you have +reason to be really and truly satisfied with yourself, and you +may sleep in peace conscious of having written a grand and +beautiful work. + +Unfortunately, whatever curiosity I have to be quite assured of +this, I cannot stay here any longer, and must start tomorrow +morning for Gran, where, in spite of a lot of useless talk, the +thread of which you have perhaps followed in the papers, they +will end after all by giving my Mass on the 31st of August (the +day of the consecration of the Basilica). You see that I have +only just time to set the thing on foot, and cannot, without the +risk of unpleasantness, defer my arrival beyond the day which, +moreover, I officially fixed about a week ago. + +Please excuse me then, my dear Rubinstein, for my involuntary +fugue, and allow me to make up for it without too much delay. On +my return from Hungary I shall come through Stuttgart (towards +the middle of September). Perhaps I shall find you still there, +which would be a very great pleasure. We would sing together the +choruses, solos, and orchestra of your new score with all our +might! And Winterberger (who has just had a fabulous success at +Rotterdam, Haarlem, etc., where he has given several organ +concerts largely attended) might also be one of the party, for I +expect to make the journey from Zurich with him, and on our way +we shall explore the organs of Ulm, Stuttgart, Friburg, and +Winterthur. + +Will you let me know by a few lines what your plans are for the +end of the summer and autumn? Shall you return to Leipzig? Will +it suit you to try your Oratorio first at Weymar? In this latter +case, which you may be sure will be the most agreeable to me, I +will try to facilitate the arrangements that have to be made as +regards copies, and to save you the expense of copying. Toward +the end of October, at latest, I shall be back here; and, if we +do not meet before, I count on your not letting this year elapse +without coming again for a few days to your room at the +Altenburg, where you are certain of being always most cordially +welcome, for we shall make no changes. + +If you have a quarter of an hour to spare do write a piece of a +few pages for Hallberger, without making him wait any longer, for +I especially want one of your loose works to appear in the first +copy of the "Pianoforte." + +The Princess bids me give you her best compliments, to which I +add the expression of frank and cordial friendship of your very +devoted + +F. Liszt + +August 6th, 1856. + +Have you received my things in score? Continue to address me at +Weymar. + + + +160. To Joachim Raff + +You would be making a great mistake if you put any mistrust in my +conduct, and I can assure you with a perfectly good conscience +that to me there is nothing more agreeable and more to be desired +than to rely entirely on one's friends. With regard to the +Wiesbaden affair, I must necessarily await a definite invitation +from the concert directors before I can give a definite answer. I +think I have too often shown that I am ready and willing, for it +to be necessary for me to say more on that point. I was again at +Sondershausen last Sunday, and promised to go there again in the +course of next winter. The orchestra there, under its conductor +Stein (whose acquaintance I had not made until now), has +performed two of my Symphonic Poems--"Les Preludes" and +"Mazeppa"--with really uncommon spirit and excellence. Should +there be a similar willingness in Wiesbaden, it will of course be +a pleasure to me to accept the invitation of the concert +directors; so also I am greatly obliged to you for being so +helpful toward the spread and sympathetic understanding of my +works. But from your letter I see that you will not be staying +much longer in Wiesbaden, and as I am not acquainted with the +present circumstances there I cannot reckon beforehand on the +friendly reception without which public performances always prove +very unfruitful for composers. According, therefore, to whether +these circumstances show themselves favorable or unfavorable to +my honest endeavors, I will come, or I will remain at home. + +I give you my heartiest good wishes for the performance of your +"King Alfred" [an opera of Raff's]. Your two "Tanz-Capricen" +(bolero and valse) have been sent me by Hallberger, and I have +already recommended a speedy edition of both. + +This afternoon I start for Gran. In the middle of September I +shall get to Stuttgart and go to Zurich. Letters can be always +addressed to me at Weymar, and before the end of October I shall +be back here again. + +With best greetings and thanks, yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, August 7th, 1856 + + + +161. To Anton Rubinstein + +I much regret, dear Rubinstein, to have missed your visit to +Weymar, and, while thanking you most sincerely for your kind +intention, I am going to beg you to grant me full reparation by a +second visit when I return. + +By the news which reaches me from the Altenburg I learn that you +think of spending part of the winter in Berlin, and will there +give your "Paradise Lost," which will doubtless be a piece well +found, and from which you will derive benefit. Please do not fail +to let me know in good time which day it is to be performed, for +I am set upon being present at this first performance, and shall +certainly come to Berlin unless anything absolutely unavoidable +prevents me. + +I expect to be back at Weymar towards the end of October, and to +set seriously to work again, a thing which is not possible +elsewhere. The rehearsals of my Mass are going on here admirably, +and I expect we shall have a very fine performance at Gran on the +31st, where, moreover, there will be so many other things and +people of quite a different importance to be seen and heard, that +they will scarcely hear three bars of my Mass. Happily my work +has the good luck to have two general preliminary rehearsals, +public ones, at Pest next week, and a final rehearsal at Gran +itself. Zellner will probably be there, and you will hear about +it from him. Possibly also the same Mass will be given on the +28th September (the day of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of +Bohemia) at Prague, whence they have just written to me to that +effect. You will give me great pleasure, my dear Rubinstein, if +you will write me something about your autumn and winter plans; +and if by chance I can be of use to you in any way show me the +friendship of disposing entirely of me, as of one who is your +very sincerely affectionate and devoted + +F. Liszt Pest, August 21st, 1856 + +Address always to Weymar. + +I am still expecting to go by Stuttgart to Zurich towards the +middle of September, but it is possible that Prague may occasion +me a fortnight's delay. + + + +162. To Eduard Liszt + +[Pest,] Friday, September 5th, 1856 + +Dearest Eduard, + +Yesterday's performance of my Mass was quite according to my +intentions, and was more successful and effective by far than all +the preceding ones. Without exaggeration and with all Christian +modesty I can assure you that many tears were shed, and that the +very numerous audience (the church of the Stadtpfarrei [I.e., the +parish church] was thronged), as well as the performers, had +raised themselves, body and soul, into my contemplation of the +sacred mysteries of the Mass...and everything was but a humble +prayer to the Almighty and to the Redeemer!--I thought of you in +my heart of hearts, and sought for you--for you are indeed so +very near and dear to me in spirit!--Next Monday, the 8th +September, at the consecration of the Hermine-Kapelle (which the +Cardinal Prince Primate of Hungary will consecrate), my Mass for +four men's voices will be sung. Winterberger will accompany it on +a Physharmonica of the organ genus. On the same evening (Monday) +the concert for the benefit of the Pension Fund will take place +at the theater: Singer and Pruckner will play at it, and two of +my Symphonic Poems--"Les Preludes" and "Hungaria" (Nos. 3 and 9)- +-will be given. + +On the 14th September at latest I shall get to Vienna, and I will +write to Haslinger more definitely about it. Meanwhile will you +please tell Haslinger, as I cannot write to him until the concert +in the Hungarian theater is over. + +.--. I expect to leave here before the end of next week. + +God be with you and with your + +F. L. + +At the rehearsal this morning I was told that you have got such +an excellent article on the Mass in the Wanderer. I suppose you +sent the number to Weymar? If possible let me have one here also. + + + +163. To Louis Kohler + +Bravo, dear friend, for the three very graceful and charmingly +conceived melody-dialogues! I have pleasure in them, and am +certain of the success of this charming selam. [Meaning a musical +bouquet.] As an old laborant [Worker in a laboratory] at piano +music allow me merely to lay before you a slight alteration in +the two bars before the return of the motive (No. I). According +to my conception one bar more would have a beneficial effect +there, thus:-- + +[Here Liszt writes out a 5-measure excerpt of piano music] + +If you agree with this version, write me simply Yes to the +address of Richard Wagner, Zeltweg, Zurich. I shall get there +next Sunday, and stay some days with our great friend. At the +beginning of November I shall be back in Weymar. + +Hearty greetings from yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Stuttgart, October 8th, 1856. + +In No. 3 (in the first two bars) the F seems to me the right +sound in the bass, and that was what you had first written:-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt] + +instead of:-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with another musical score excerpt] + +Will you leave these little alterations to me in the proof? + + + +164. To Dr. Gille, Councillor of Justice at Jena + +[An ardent friend of Liszt's, a promoter of musical endeavors, a +co-founder and member of the Committee (General Secretary) of the +Allgemeine Deutsche Musikverein, is at the head of the Liszt +Museum in Weimar, and lives in Jena, where he is Prince's Council +and Councillor of Justice.] + +Zurich, November 14th, 1856 + +My very dear Friend, + +I am heartily rejoiced at the honorable proof of the sympathy and +attachment of our Circulus harmonicus Academiae Jenensis, which +was prepared for me for the 22nd October by your kindness, and I +give you my warmest thanks for it, begging you to be so good as +to pass them on also to our friends Stade and Herr Schafer, whose +names strengthen the diploma. + +It touches me deeply that you join the Gran Basilica and my +"Missa Solemnis" in this diploma. You may be sure, dear friend, +that I did not compose my work as one might put on a church +vestment instead of a paletot, but that it has sprung from the +truly fervent faith of my heart, such as I have felt it since my +childhood. "Genitum, non factum"--and therefore I can truly say +that my Mass has been more prayed than composed. By Easter the +work will be published by the Royal State Printing Office at the +cost of the Government, thanks to the kind instructions of His +Excellency Minister von Bach, and I am looking forward to the +pleasure of presenting one of the first copies to the Circulus +harmonicus. The Mass has been given a second time at Prague since +I left, and, as Capellmeister Skraup writes, "with increasing +interest"; a couple more performances, in Vienna, etc., are +pending. + +Pray excuse me, dear friend, for not having sent you my thanks +sooner. Your letter found me in bed, to which I am still confined +by a somewhat protracted illness, which will delay my return to +Weymar some weeks. Next week I am to begin to get out into the +air again, and I hope to be able to get away in about ten days. +At the beginning of December I shall be at Weymar, and shall then +soon come to you at Jena.-- + +I shall have a great deal to tell you verbally about Wagner. Of +course we see each other every day, and are together the livelong +day. His "Nibelungen" are an entirely new and glorious world, +towards which I have often yearned, and for which the most +thoughtful people will still be enthusiastic, even if the measure +of mediocrity should prove inadequate to it!-- + +Friendly greetings, and faithfully your + +F. Liszt + + + +165. To Dr. Adolf Stern in Dresden + +[Poet and man of letters, now professor at the Polytechnikum at +Dresden, a member of the Committee of the Allgemeine Deutsche +Musikverein since 1867.] + +Very Dear Sir and Friend, + +A long and protracted illness has kept me in bed for a fortnight +past--and I owe you many apologies for my delay in sending you my +warmest thanks for the very kind remembrance with which you +adorned the 22nd of October. The beautiful poem, so full of +meaning, and soaring aloft with its delicately powerful flight, +goes deeply to my heart, and my dreams hear the charm of your +poetry through Lehel's magic horn tones! Perhaps I shall be able +shortly to tell you what I have heard, when the disjointed sounds +have united in shaping themselves harmoniously into an artistic +whole, from which a second part of my Symphonic Poem "Hungaria" +might well be formed. + +Meanwhile I have ventured to send your poem to a couple of my +friends in Pest, who will delight in it like myself. + +In spite of my illness I am spending glorious days here with +Wagner, and am satiating myself with his Nibelungen world, of +which our business musicians and chaff-threshing critics have as +yet no suspicion. It is to be hoped that this tremendous work may +succeed in being performed in the year 1859, and I, on my side, +will not neglect anything to forward this performance as soon as +possible--a performance which certainly implies many difficulties +and exertions. Wagner requires for the purpose a special theater +built for himself, and a not ordinary acting and orchestral +staff. It goes without saying that the work can only appear +before the world under his own conducting; and if, as is much to +be wished, this should take place in Germany, his pardon must be +obtained before everything.--I comfort myself with the saying, +"What must be will be!" And thus I expect to be also standing on +my legs again soon, and to be back in Weymar in the early days of +December. It will be very kind of you if you will not let too +long a time elapse without coming to see me. For today accept +once more my heartfelt thanks, and the assurance of sincere +friendship of your + +F. Liszt + +Zurich, November 14th, 1856 + + + +166. To Louis Kohler + +Enclosed, dear friend, is a rough copy of the Prelude to +"Rheingold," which Wagner has handed me for you, and which will +be sure to give you great pleasure. + +After having been obliged to keep my bed for a couple of weeks, +which has lengthened out my stay here, I am now making ready to +go with Wagner the day after tomorrow to St. Gall, there to +conduct a couple of my Symphonic Poems with a very respectable +orchestra (twenty violins, six double basses, etc.). Toward the +middle of December I shall be back in Weymar, and shall continue +to write my stuff!-- + +A thousand friendly greetings. + +F. Liszt + +Zurich, November 21st, 1856 + + + +167. To Eduard Liszt + +St. Gall, November 24th, 1856 + +.--. A really significant concert took place yesterday at St. +Gall. Wagner conducted the Eroica Symphony, and I conducted in +his honor two of my Symphonic Poems. The latter were excellently +given--and received. The St. Gall paper has several articles on +the subject, which I am sending you. + +By Christmas I will send you the new copies of my Mass (which I +think I have considerably improved in the last revision, +especially by the concluding Fugue of the Gloria and a +heavenward-soaring climax of the subject. + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a vocal score excerpt at the point +where the singer sings: "et u-nam sanctam catho-li-camet a-po - +sto - - - - li-cam"] + +Probably the work will be ready to appear by Easter. If you write +by return of post, you can send the ministerial answer to my +letter to Bach to me here. The contents, of which you have told +me, please me much, and I reckon with confidence that the +publishing of the score will fix the sense and meaning of my work +in public opinion. The work is truly "of pure musical water (not +in the sense of the ordinary diluted Church style, but like +diamond water) and living Catholic wine." + +.--. Farewell, dearest Eduard, and remain true to me in heart and +spirit, as is also to you your + +F. Liszt + + + +168. To Alexander Ritter, Music Director in Stettin + +Munich, December 4th, 1856 + +Dear Friend, + +I received your letter on a day when I again greatly missed your +presence. We were together with Wagner at St. Gall, and the +Musical Society there had distinguished itself by the production +of an orchestra of ten first, ten second violins, eight violas, +six celli and double basses. Wagner conducted the Eroica, and I +two of my Symphonic Poems--"Orpheus" and "Les Preludes." The +performance and reception of my works were quite to my +satisfaction, and the "Preludes" had to be repeated (as they were +in Pest). Whether such a production would be possible in Stettin +I much doubt, in spite of your friendly advances. The open, +straightforward sense of the public is everywhere kept so much in +check by the oft-repeated rubbish of the men of the "But" and +"Yet," who batten on criticism, and appear to set themselves the +task of crushing to death every living endeavour, in order +thereby to increase their own reputation and importance, that I +must regard the rapid spread of my works almost as an imprudence. +You desire "Orpheus," "Tasso," and "Festklange" from me, dear +friend! But have you considered that "Orpheus" has no proper +working out section, and hovers quite simply between bliss and +woe, breathing out reconciliation in Art? Pray do not forget that +"Tasso" celebrates no psychic triumph, which an ingenious critic +has already denounced (probably mindful of the "inner camel," +which Heine designates as an indispensable necessity of German +aestheticism!), and the "Festklange" sounded too confusedly noisy +even to our friend Pohl! And then what has all this canaille to +do with instruments of percussion, cymbals, triangle, and drum in +the sacred domain of Symphony? It is, believe me, not only +confusion and derangement of ideas, but also a prostitution of +the species itself! + +Should you be of another opinion, allow me at least to keep you +from too greatly compromising yourself, so near to the doors of +the immaculate Berlin critics, and not to drag you with myself +into the corruption of my own juggling tone-poems. Your dear wife +(to whom I beg you to remember me most kindly) might be angry +with me for it, and I would not on any account be put into her +bad books. Instead of conducting my Symphonic Poems, rather give +lectures at home of the safe passport of Riehl's "Haus-Musik," +and take well to heart the warning, + +"Ruckkehr zum Mass." ["A returning within bounds." A footnote by +Liszt follows: "Dabei wird naturlich das Mass der +Mittelmassigkeit als einzig massgebend verstanden." ("By this is +of course understood the bounds of mediocrity as the one +limitation.") A play on the words, "Mass," "Massigkeit," and +"Massgebend."] + +On this road alone can you soon attain a conductor's post, and +the "esteem" due to you as a music director, both from musicians +and people of rank. + +For the rest you would entirely misconstrue my good advice if you +thought you could see in it only a pretext for not keeping my +former promise of coming to see you at Stettin. I shall most +certainly come to you on the first opportunity, and shall be +delighted to spend a couple of days with such excellent friends. +But first of all I must stop in Weymar for a while, in order to +finish some works begun, and to forget altogether my lengthy +illness in Zurich. + +I had some glorious days with Wagner; and "Rheingold" and the +"Walkure" are incredibly wonderful works. + +To my great sorrow, I only saw your brother Carl [A musician, a +friend of Wagner's.] a couple of times in the early days of my +stay in Zurich. I will tell you vaud voce how this happened, so +entirely against my wish and expectation, through a provoking +over-sensitiveness on the part of your brother. I am sure you +don't need any assurance that I did not give occasion in any way +to this. But for the future I must quietly wait till Carl thinks +better and more justly of it. + +Farewell, dear friend, and let me soon hear from you again. + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Bronsart is going shortly to Paris, where he will stay some time. +Cornelius is working at a comic opera [This would be the Barber +of Baghdad.--Translator's note.] in the Bernhard's-Hutle. Raff is +to finish his "Samson" for Darmstadt. Tausig is giving concerts +in Warsaw. Pruckner will spend the winter in Vienna and appear at +several concerts. Damrosch composed lately an Overture and Entre- +acte music to the "Maid of Orleans." Stor plunges himself into +the duties of a general music director. Thus much have I learned +of our Neu-Weymar-Verein. + + + +169. To Professor L. A. Zellner in Vienna + +[General Secretary of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde ("Society +of Lovers of Music") in Vienna; composer and writer on music.] + +To my letter of yesterday I have still to add a postscript, my +dear friend, concerning the information in your new +Abonnement,[The Blatter fur Musik, Theater, and Kunst ("Pages of +Music, theater, and Art"), edited by Z.] in which I was struck +with the name of Bertini among the classics, which does not +seem to me suitable. As far as I know, Bertini is still living, +[He did not die till 1876.] and according to the common idea, to +which one must stick fast, only those who are dead can rank as +classic and be proclaimed as classic. Thus Schumann, the +romanticist, and Beethoven, the glorious, holy, crazy one, have +become classics. Should Bertini have already died, I take back my +remark, although the popularity of his Studies is not, to me, a +satisfactory reason for making his name a classic.--Moscheles' +and Czerny's Studies and "Methods" would have a much more just +claim to such a thing, and your paper has especially to set +itself the task of counteracting, with principle and consistency, +the confusion of ideas from which confusion and ruin of matters +arise. Hold fast then to this principle, both in great and small +things, for the easier understanding with the public, that the +recognition of posterity alone impresses the stamp of "classical" +upon works, in the same way as facts and history are established; +for thus much is certain, that all great classics have been +reviled in their own day as innovators and even romanticists, if +not bunglers and crazy fellows, and you yourself have commented +on, and inquired into, this matter many times..--. + +In your number of today I read an extract from my letter to +Erkel, [A well-known Hungarian composer ("Hunyadi Laszlo")] in +which, however, the points are missing. Erkel shall show you the +letter on the first opportunity, for he has not left it lying +idle in his desk. Of course no public use is to be made of it. + +Yours ever, F. L. + +January 2nd, 1857 + + + +170. To Herr von Turanyi, Musical Conductor of the Town of Aix- +la-Chapelle + +[Published in the Allgemeine Musikzeitung, July 11th, 1890] + +Weymar, January 3rd, 1857 + +Dear Herr Capellmeister, + +Although I am still kept to my bed by a long-continued +indisposition, yet I will not delay giving you my warmest thanks +for the active pains you have so kindly taken to place my +endeavors in the cause of Art in a better light than I could +otherwise have expected in your neighborhood. + +The result of the choice of myself as conductor of the Musical +Festival at Aix-la-Chapelle this year--a result which was +notified to me yesterday by the letter of the Committee of the +Lower-Rhine Musical Festival--is a welcome sign to me of the +gradual recognition which an open and honestly expressed, +consistent, and thoroughly disinterested conviction may meet with +in different places. Whilst feeling myself especially indebted to +you for having brought about this result, I would express to you +at the same time the fact of my readiness to answer your very +flattering wishes to the best of my powers, and to put aside any +hindrances that may be in the way, in order to fulfill the task +entrusted to me, if the following remarks are brought to the +attention of the Committee, as I consider them essential to the +success and also to the importance of the Musical Festival. + +My conducting in Aix-la-Chapelle can only have such significance +as attaches to the less-known and newer works, and those which +are more nearly allied to the Art-interests of today; its +justification would be strengthened by an excellent performance +of such works. I was on this account completely in accordance +with the programme you so kindly sent me (with the addition of +one or two numbers), as I am unable to be with the other +programme, received in the letter of the Committee yesterday. The +latter is as follows:-- + +First day: Messiah by Handel.--Second day: Mass (in D major) by +Beethoven. + +The former as follows:-- + +First day: Mass by Beethoven (preceded by one of the shorter +works of Handel--or possibly by a Cantata by Bach [?]). + +Second day: Schubert's Symphony (in C); one of the larger choral +works of Schumann (say, perhaps, "The Rose's Pilgrimage"--or one +of the Ballades), and, as I should propose, one of the longer +scenes from Berlioz' "Faust," and one or other of my Symphonic +Poems. + +You will not expect of me, dear Herr Capellmeister, that I should +go off into a great panegyric about Handel and, if you caught me +doing it, you might stop me immediately with the words of the +ancient Greek who did not want any more praises of Homer--"You +praise him, but who is thinking of blaming him?" The fullness and +glory of this musical majesty is as uncontested as the pleasant, +emulating, easily attainable performance of the "Messiah," a +chef-d'oeuvre, which has been for years the "daily bread," so to +speak, of great and small vocal societies both in England and +Germany. With the exception of Haydn's "Creation" there is +scarcely a work of that kind existing which could show such +countless performances. I, for my part, chose the "Messiah" for +performance again in Weymar (in August 1850)--partly because +Herder had interested himself in the preparation of the German +text--and in the previous August they celebrated the Middle-Rhine +Musical Festival at Darmstadt with it. This latter circumstance +enhances my general consideration as to the artistic +judiciousness of a repeated performance of the Messiah, up to a +special point in regard to the Aix-la-Chapelle Festival, and +therefore I should like the question put to the Committee +"whether they consider that, in the interests of the 'fresher +life of the Musical Festival there,' it can be advantageous for +the Lower-Rhine to repeat it after the Middle-Rhine." + +The sentence in the letter of the Committee, in which the hope is +cherished and expressed that "the celebrated Frau Lind- +Goldschmidt may be engaged," leads me to an almost more serious +consideration.-- + +Do not be alarmed, dear sir, and do not be in the least afraid +that I am going to struggle, in the usual style of our +unchivalrous Don Quixote of musical criticism, with the windmill +of virtuosity. You could not fairly expect this of me either, for +I have never concealed that, since the grapes of virtuosity could +not be made sour for me, I should take no pleasure whatever in +finding them sour in somebody else's mouth. + +Frau Land-Goldschmidt stands as incomparable in her glittering +renown as a singer as Handel in his as a composer, with the +difference--which is in Frau Lind's favor to boot--that Handel's +works weary many people and do not always succeed in filling the +coffers, whereas the mere appearance of Frau Lind secures the +utmost rapture of the public, as well as that of the cashier. If, +therefore, we place the affairs of the Musical Festival simply on +the satisfying and commercial debit and credit basis, certainly +no artist, and still less any work of Art, could venture to +compete with, and to offer an equal attraction to, the high and +highly celebrated name of Frau Lind. Without raising the +slightest objection to this, I must express my common-sense +opinion that with this magnet all others would be quite +superfluous, which, however, cannot be quite so indifferent to +me; for, as Louis XIV. represented the State, so Frau Lind would +constitute the Musical Festival proper. This avowal (for which I +deserve, at the very least, stoning with the usual ingredients of +operations of that kind in our civilized age, if I did not happen +to implore grace of the divine Diva herself)--this avowal I +already made last year, on occasion of the Dusseldorf Musical +Festival, to my esteemed friend of many years, Ferdinand Hiller. +What is the use of orchestra and singers, rehearsals and +preparations, pieces and programmes, when the public only want to +hear the Lind, and then hear her again--or, more correctly +speaking, when they must be able to say they leave heard her, in +order to be able to wallow at ease in their enthusiasm for Art? +What I foresaw then was also confirmed to a hair, for it proved, +as everybody knows, that all the sympathy of the public went in +favor of whatever Frau Lind did, so that the so-called Artist- +concert on the third day was the most fully attended, because in +it there were an aria from "Beatrice di Tenda" and Swedish songs +as special attraction--for which marvels the very simplest +pianoforte accompaniment was no doubt sufficient.--Should the +Committee of Aix-la-Chapelle be minded to take to heart the motto +of Hiller's Symphony, "Es muss doch Fruhling werden," ["The +spring will surely come."] in all its artistic endeavour, and, as +you write, to steer clear towards the goal of a "fresher +rekindling of the Musical Festival," we shall be obliged, alas! +to do without the Swedish Nightingale and Europe's Queen of Song. + +In short, the point of the matter of this year's Musical Festival +at Aix-la-Chapelle is, as concerns myself, as follows:- + +If they decide on having the "Messiah," I must beg to be pardoned +for having to excuse myself from coming. [Liszt finally dropped +his objection to the "Messiah." He had it performed at the +Musical Festival, conducted by him.] + +If the Committee accepts the programme I have drawn (Schubert +Symphony, etc., including the last numbers) for the second day, +then it will be a pleasing duty to me to accept the honor of the +invitation, always supposing that the means for a brilliant +performance of the Beethoven Mass and the other works are +forthcoming, as one cannot doubt will be the case in Aix-la- +Chapelle--if my share in the Festival does not in any way give +offence to the neighboring towns, in which case I should of +course gladly and quietly retire, in order not to occasion any +disturbance, or unsatisfactorily prepared discord in the customs +of the musical Rhine-lands. I think there is no need for me to +accentuate the fact that a musical conductor cannot blindly +subscribe to just every programme that is put before him, and I +hope that the honorable Committee will not consider that there is +any assumption in my proposition to place the Aix-la-Chapelle +programme more in accord with my own collective endeavors. + +I am writing a few lines of thanks by the next post to President +Herr Van Houten for the distinction shown to me about the +consideration contained in this letter, which I beg that you will +communicate to him verbally. + +Awaiting further communications from the Committee, I remain, +dear Herr Capellmeister, with warm acknowledgements and high +esteem, + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + + + +171. To J. W. von Wasielewski in Dresden + +Dear Friend, + +Your letter reached me, after some delay, in Zurich, where I had +to keep my bed for several weeks--and today I write to you still +from my bed, and sulking because the geographical change which I +have made has not brought about any improvement in my +pathological condition (which, by the way, is quite without +danger). + +How are you, dear Wasielewski? Have you settled yourself +pleasantly in Dresden? Are you working at music industriously and +methodically?--How far have you got in your biography of R. +Schumann? With regard to this work, the publication of which I am +awaiting with great interest, I am sorry to be unable to follow +the wish you so kindly express. Many letters addressed to me by +Schumann in earlier years are lost, and since my residence in +Weymar (from the year 1848) we certainly wrote to one another +from time to time, but only when theater or concert performances +of his works gave a sort of business occasion for it. Weymar does +not deserve the reproach of having kept itself too much in the +background in this respect. At the Goethe Festival in 1849 I had +the great closing scene to the second part of "Faust" given, +which was, later on, repeated; at the beginning of 1852 the music +to Byron's "Manfred," with a stage performance of the drama such +as he desired, was given several times, and, as far as I know, up +to now no other theater has made this attempt. [Liszt was +actually the first.] The Weymar theater is likewise the only one +which contains in its repertoire Schumann's "Genoveva" (which was +indeed given here for the first time in April 1855). It goes +without saying that, during the years of my work here, most of +his chamber music--Quartets, Trios, Sonatas--as well as his +Symphonies, Overtures, and Songs, have been cherished with +particular preference and love, and have been frequently heard in +various concerts, with the exception of one of the most +important; but the very slight amount of public activity of our +Vocal Union has prevented, as yet, any performance of the "Peri," +which, however, has already been partly studied, and will ere +long be given at last. + +As a contribution to your biographical studies, dear Wasielewski, +I should like to tell you truly with what sincere, heartfelt, and +complete reverence I have followed Schumann's genius during +twenty years and faithfully adhered to it. Although I am sure +that you, and all who know me more intimately, have no doubt +about this, yet at this moment the feeling comes over me--a +feeling which I cannot resist--to tell you more fully about my +relations with R. Schumann, which date from the year 1836, and to +give them you here plainly in extenso. Have a little patience, +therefore, in reading this letter, which I have not time to make +shorter. + +After the buzz and hubbub called forth by my article in the Paris +Gazette Musicale on Thalberg (the meaning of which, be it said in +passing, has been quite distorted), which was re-echoed in German +papers and salons, Maurice Schlesinger, the then proprietor of +the Gazette Musicale, took the opportunity of asking me to insert +in his paper a very eulogistic article on anything new that came +out in the world of Art. For months Schlesinger sent me with this +object all sorts of novelties, among which, however, I could not +find anything that seemed to me deserving of praise, until at +last, when I was at the Lake of Como, Schumann's "Impromptu" in C +major (properly variations), the "Etudes symphoniques," and the +"Concert sans orchestre" [Concerto without orchestra] (published +later, in the second edition, under the more suitable title +Sonata in F minor) came into my hands. In playing these pieces +through, I felt at once what musical mettle was in them; and, +without having previously heard anything of Schumann, without +knowing how or where he lived (for I had not at that time been to +Germany, and he had no name in France and Italy), I wrote the +critique which was published in the Gazette Musicale towards the +end of 1837, and which became known to Schumann. + +Soon afterwards, when I was giving my first concerts in Vienna +(April to May 1838), he wrote to me and sent me a manuscript +entitled "Gruss an Franz Liszt in Deutschland" ["Greeting to +Franz Liszt in Germany"]. I forget at this moment under what +title it was afterwards published; the opening bars are as +follows:-- + +[Here, Liszt hand-writes the score for the opening bars. It is +the beginning of the second Novelette Op. 21, but not quite +correctly quoted by Liszt] + +At about the same time followed the publishing of the great +"Fantasia" (C major) in three movements, which he dedicated to +me; my dedication to him in return for this glorious and noble +work was only made three years ago in my "Sonata" in B minor. + +At the beginning of the winter of 1840 I traveled from Vienna +back to Paris by way of Prague, Dresden, and Leipzig. Schumann +paid me the friendly attention of welcoming me immediately on my +arrival in Dresden, and we then travelled together to Leipzig. +Wieck, afterwards Schumann's father-in-law, had at that time a +lawsuit against him to prevent his marriage with Clara. I had +known Wieck and his daughter from Vienna days, and was friendly +with both. None the less I refused to see Wieck again in Dresden, +as he had made himself so unfriendly to Schumann; and, breaking +off all further intercourse with him, I took Schumann's side +entirely, as seemed to me only right and natural. Wieck without +delay richly requited me for this after my first appearance in +Leipzig, where he aired his bitter feelings against me in several +papers. One of my earlier pupils, by name Hermann Cohen--a native +of Hamburg, who in later years aroused much attention in France, +and who, as a monk, had taken the name of Frere Augustin (Carme +dechausse [Barefooted Carmelite])--was the scapegoat in Leipzig +for Wieck's publicly inflamed scandal, so that Cohen was obliged +to bring an action for damage by libel against Wieck, which +action Hermann won with the assistance of Dr. Friederici, +barrister-at-law. + +In Leipzig Schumann and I were together every day and all day +long--and my comprehension of his works became thereby more +familiar and intimate. Since my first acquaintance with his +compositions, I have played many of them in private circles in +Milan, Vienna, etc., but without being able to win over my +hearers to them. They lay, happily, much too far removed from the +insipid taste, which at that time absolutely dominated, for it to +be possible for any one to thrust them into the commonplace +circle of approbation. The public did not care for them, and the +majority of pianists did not understand them. In Leipzig even, +where I played the "Carneval" at my second concert in the +Gewandhaus, I did not succeed in obtaining my usual applause. The +musicians, together with those who were supposed to understand +music, had (with few exceptions) their ears still too tightly +stopped up to be able to comprehend this charming, tasteful +"Carneval," the various numbers of which are harmoniously +combined in such artistic fancy. I do not doubt that, later on, +this work will maintain its natural place in universal +recognition by the side of the "Thirty-three Variations on a +Waltz of Diabelli" by Beethoven (to which, in my opinion, it is +superior even in melodic invention and importance). The frequent +ill-success of my performances of Schumann's compositions, both +in private circles and in public, discouraged me from including +and keeping them in the programmes of my concerts which followed +so rapidly on one another--programmes which, partly from want of +time and partly from carelessness and satiety of the "Glanz- +Periode" ["Splendor period"] of my pianoforte-playing, I seldom, +except in the rarest cases, planned myself, but gave them now +into this one's hands, and now that one, to choose what they +liked. That was a mistake, as I discovered later and deeply +regretted, when I had learned to understand that for the artist +who wishes to be worthy of the name of artist the danger of not +pleasing the public is a far less one than that of allowing +oneself to be decided by its humors + +--and to this danger every executive artist is especially +exposed, if he does not take courage resolutely and on principle +to stand earnestly and consistently by his conviction, and to +produce those works which he knows to be the best, whether people +like them or not. + +It is of no consequence, then, in how far my faint-heartedness in +regard to Schumann's pianoforte compositions might possibly be +excused by the all-ruling taste of the day, but I did without +thinking of it thereby set a bad example, for which I can hardly +make amends again. The stream of custom and the slavery of the +artist, who is directed to the encouragement and applause of the +multitude for the maintenance and improvement of his existence +and his renown, is such a pull-back, that, even to the better- +minded and more courageous ones, among whom I am proud to reckon +myself, it is intensely difficult to preserve their better ego in +the face of all the covetous, distracted, and--despite their +large number--backward-in-paying We. + +There is in Art a pernicious offence, of which most of us are +guilty through carelessness and fickleness; I might call it the +Pilate offence. Classical doing, and classical playing, which +have become the fashion of late years, and which may be regarded +as an improvement, on the whole, in our musical state of things, +hide in many a one this fault, without eradicating it:--I might +say more on this point, but it would lead me too far. + +For my part I need not, at least, reproach myself with having +ever denied my sympathy and reverence for Schumann; and a hundred +of the younger companions in Art in all lands could bear witness +that I have always expressly directed them to a thorough study of +his works, and have strengthened and refreshed myself by them. + +If these particulars have not wearied you, dear Wasielewski, I +will gladly continue them, and tell you about everything from my +second visit to Leipzig (at the end of 1841) which was brought +about by Schumann, up to my last meeting with him at Dusseldorf +(in 1851). Friendly greetings + +From yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 9th, 1857. + + + +172. To General Alexis von Lwoff in St. Petersburg + +[1799-1877; in addition to his military position, he was a +celebrated violinist, and conductor of the Imperial Court-Singers +at St. Petersburg.] + +Your Excellency and My Honored Friend, + +Permit me to think that I am not quite effaced from your +recollection, and to avail myself of the medium of Mdlle. Martha +de Sabinin to recall myself to you more particularly. It being +her wish to find herself in pleasant relations with the chief +representatives of music in St. Petersburg, it was natural that I +should introduce her in the first instance to you, and recommend +her to you first and foremost as the protegee of Her Imperial +Majesty the Grand Duchess Marie Pawlowna, as well as of the +reigning Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weymar (in whose service she has +been for several years as Court Pianist and Professor at the +Institute for Young Ladies of the Nobility),--and, secondly, as a +clever woman and excellent musician and pianist, who, after +having gone through the most conscientious study, is perfectly +fitted to teach others in a most agreeable manner. She +especially excels in her execution of classical music and +ensemble; and, this side of music being, from what I hear, more +and more cultivated at St. Petersburg, especially through your +care, I am pleased to think that Mdlle. de Sabinin will easily +find an opportunity of coming out advantageously in this line. I +much regret that you have, as yet, neglected Weymar since I have +been settled here. It would have been a pleasure to me to place +at your disposal a musical personnel, which has been justly +spoken of with praise, for the performance of your "Stabat Mater" +and other of your compositions, which we should have great +pleasure in applauding. Let me hope that you will not always be +so rigorous towards us, and pray accept the expressions of high +esteem and respect with which I shall always be, dear and honored +friend, + +Your Excellency's very obedient servant, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 10th, 1857 + + + +173. To Johann Von Herbeck in Vienna + +[Hofcapellmeister (Court conductor), and an excellent conductor +(1831-1877).--The above letter, as well as a later one addressed +to the same musician, was published in "Johann Herbeck. Ein +Lebensbild von seinem Sohne Ludwig." Vienna, Gutmann, 1885.--Date +in Herbeck's handwriting.] + +[Received January 12th, 1857] + +Dear Sir, + +On my somewhat delayed return to Weymar I find your friendly +letter, for which I send you my + +sincere and warmest thanks. I am very much pleased to learn from +you that you have succeeded, thanks to your careful and +intelligent preparation, in making such a good effect with the +"Faust" (Student) Chorus. [It was the first choral composition +which was conducted by Liszt in Vienna, and with the very same +Mannergesangverein which Herbeck conducted.] This light little +piece has been pretty successfully given several times by +Mannergesangvereinen [Vocal societies of male voices] in Cologne, +Berlin, etc., and even in Paris. When I published it fifteen +years ago, I did not think much about making allowance for any +possible laxity in the intonation of the singers; but today, when +my experience has taught me better, I should probably write the +somewhat steep and slippery passage as follows:-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a vocal score musical excerpt at +the point where the singer sings "Die Ko-chin hat ihr Gift +gestellt, da ward zu eng ihr in der Welt, etc."] + +Probably this version would also be more effective--with the +alteration in the last verse (in honor of prosody!):-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a vocal score musical excerpt at +the point where the singer sings "ha, sie pfeift auf dem letzten +Loch."] + +I shall venture shortly to send you (by Herr Haslinger), my dear +sir, a couple of other Quartets for male voices to look through. +If, after doing so, you think you may risk a public performance +of them, I leave the matter entirely in your hands. + +There is not the slightest hurry about the Mass, [For men's +voices. On the occasion of the Mozart Festival in Vienna in 1856, +conducted by Liszt, he had played portions of this Mass to +Herbeck, and the latter felt himself, as he wrote to Liszt, +"electrified by the spirit of this work and its creator," and set +himself "at the same time the artistic duty of a worthy rendering +of this Song of Praise."] and I fear that the preparation of this +work will cost you and your singers some trouble. Before all else +it requires the utmost certainty in intonation, which can only be +attained by practicing the parts singly (especially the middle +parts, second tenor and first bass)--and then, above all, +religious absorption, meditation, expansion, ecstasy, shadow, +light, soaring--in a word, Catholic devotion and inspiration. The +"Credo," as if built on a rock, should sound as steadfast as the +dogma itself; a mystic and ecstatic joy should pervade the +"Sanctus;" the "Agnus Dei" (as well as the "Miserere" in the +"Gloria") should be accentuated, in a tender and deeply elegiac +manner, by the most fervent sympathy with the Passion of Christ; +and the "Dona nobis pacem," expressive of reconciliation and full +of faith, should float away like sweet-smelling incense. The +Church composer is both preacher and priest, and what the word +fails to bring to our powers of perception the tone makes winged +and clear. + +You know all this at least as well as I do, and I must apologize +for repeating it to you. If the extent of the chorus allows of +it, it might perhaps be desirable to add a few more wind +instruments (clarinets, bassoon, horns, indeed even a couple of +trombones) to support the voices more. If you think so too, +please send me a line to say so, and I will at once send you a +small score of the wind instruments. [Herbeck himself undertook, +at Liszt's desire (which, as he wrote, filled him with joy and +pride), to write the instrumental accompaniment to the Mass.] You +shall have the vocal parts from Jena immediately. For today +accept once more my best thanks, together with the assurance of +the highest esteem of + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + + + +174. To Professor Franz Gotze in Leipzig + +[The celebrated singer in Leipzig (1814-88); was a pupil of +Spohr's, and was first violinist in the Weimar Hofcapelle, then +went on to the stage, and both as a lyric tenor and as a singer +of Lieder was incomparable. He was the first who publicly went in +for Liszt's songs, in which his pupils imitated him.] + +Dear Friend, + +In consequence of an invitation of the directors, I shall have +the honor of having several of my works performed at the concert +on the 26th February for the Orchestral Pension Fund in Leipzig, +and very much wish that you would do me the kindness to sing two +of my songs ("Kling leise, mein Lied" and "Englein du mit blondem +Haar"), and to rejoice the public with your ardent and +beautifully artistic rendering of these little things. + +Fraulein Riese is so good as to bring you the new edition of my +six first songs (amongst which is the "Englein" in A major)--a +couple more numbers will shortly follow. + +Grant me my request, dear friend, and rest assured beforehand of +the best thanks, with which I remain, + +Yours in most sincere friendship, F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 1st, 1857 + + + +175. To Dionys Pruckner in Vienna + +Weymar, February 11th, 1857 + +From all sides, dearest Dionysius, I hear the best and most +brilliant accounts of you. Without being surprised at this I am +extremely pleased about it. To make a firm footing in Vienna as a +pianoforte player is no small task, especially under present +circumstances! If one succeeds in this, one can, with the utmost +confidence, make a name throughout Europe. It is very important +for you, dear friend, to appear often in public, so as to make +yourself feel at home with them. In production the public have +far more to care about the artist than he has to care about them, +or indeed to let himself be embarrassed by them. At home, our +whole life through, we have to study and to devise how to mature +our work and to attain as near as possible to our ideal of Art. +But when we enter the concert-room the feeling ought not to leave +us, that, just by our conscientious and persevering striving, we +stand somewhat higher than the public, and that we have to +represent our portion of "Menschheits-Wurde," [Manhood's dignity] +as Schiller says. Let us not err through false modesty, and let +us hold fast to the true, which is much more difficult to +practice and much more rare to find. The artist--in our sense-- +should be neither the servant nor the master of the public. He +remains the bearer of the Beautiful in the inexhaustible variety +which is appointed to human thought and perception--and this +inviolable consciousness alone assures his authority. + +Through your father I learn that you are thinking of going to +Munich in the course of the spring. I, on my side, had also the +intention of giving you a rendez-vous there. But yesterday I +definitely accepted the conductorship of the Musical Festival of +the Lower-Rhine, which will take place this year in Aix-la- +Chapelle at Whitsuntide, on the 31st May, and could not undertake +a long journey before then, in order not to break in on my work +too much. + +At the beginning of September we shall have grand festivities +here in honor of the centenary of Carl August. Rietschel's +Schiller and Goethe group will then be put up, and there will be +a great deal of music on this occasion at the theater, for which +I must prepare. I hope we shall see each other before then. + +Bronsart is in Paris. You shall have his Trio very soon. Bulow is +playing in Rostock, Bremen, and Hamburg. The Aix-la-Chapelle +Committee have also invited him to the Musical Festival. Singer +goes next week to Rotterdam, and on the 26th February a couple of +my Symphonic Poems will be given at the Gewandhaus (directed by +myself). I yesterday finished the score of another new one, Die +Hunnenschlacht, [The Battle of the Huns] which I should like to +bring out in Vienna when there is an opportunity. + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + + + +176. To Joachim Raff + +[February 1857] + +You may rest assured, dear friend, that it was very much against +the grain to me that I could not accept the kind invitation of +the Wiesbaden Concert Committee, for which I have to thank your +intervention; and your letter, in which you explain to me some +other circumstances, increases my sincere regret. But for this +winter it is, frankly, impossible for me to accept any +invitations of that kind, and I think I have told you before now +that I have had to excuse myself in several cities (Vienna, +Rotterdam, etc.). Even for Leipzig, which is so near me (although +I might appear somewhat far-fetched to many a one there!), it was +difficult to find a day that would suit me. On the 26th of this +month the "Preludes" and "Mazeppa" are to be given in the +Gewandhaus under my direction (for the Orchestral Pension Fund +Concert). Perhaps this performance will serve as a definite +warning for other concert-conducting, which might have been +thought of, to question my "incapability as a composer," so often +demonstrated (see the proof number of the "Illustrirte + +Monatsheft" of Westermann, Brunswick, the National Zeitung, and +the "thousand and one" competent judges who have long since been +quite clear on the matter!). + +How far are you in your Opera? When will one be able to see and +hear something of it? As far as I have heard, you intend to +perform "Samson" first in Darmstadt. If this does not happen at +too awkward a time for me I shall come. + +After having twice renounced the honor of conducting the +approaching Musical Festival of the Lower-Rhine (to be held this +year at Aix-la-Chapelle) a deputation of the Committee arrived +here yesterday. In consideration of their courtesy I shall +therefore go to Aix-la-Chapelle at Whitsuntide, and perhaps you +will let yourself be beguiled into visiting me there. By that +time also the Mass [The Gran Festival Mass] will probably have +already come out, and you must have a copy of it at once. By the +many performances, which have been of great use to me in this +work, many additions, enlargements, and details of performance +have occurred to me, which will enhance the effect of the whole, +and will make some things easier in performance. An entirely new +concluding fugue of the "Gloria," with this motive:-- + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a vocal score musical excerpt at +the point where the singer sings "Cum sanc-to spi-ri-tu, in +Gloria."] + +may not be displeasing to you. + +Very shortly I will send you also the three numbers still wanting +(1, 8, and 9) of the Symphonic Poems, so that you may again have +some (for you) light reading as a rest from your work. The "Berg" +Symphony was given, in its present form, a short time ago at +Bronsart's farewell concert. Bronsart played the same evening a +Trio of his own composition in four movements, which I esteem as +a successful and very respectable work. + +Once more best thanks for the fresh proof of your friendly +attachment which your letter gives me, and don't let too long a +time elapse without sending good news to + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + + + +177. To Concertmeister Ferdinand David in Leipzig + +[Printed in Eckardt's "F. David and the Mendelssohn Family," +Leipzig, Dunker & Humblot, 1888.] + +Leipzig, February 26th, 1857, 10 o'clock + +[Preceding the body of the letter, Liszt illustrates with a vocal +score musical excerpt with the words "Away! Away!" written in +English by Liszt. It is a quotation from Liszt's Symphonic Poem +"Mazeppa," which he had conducted in the Leipzig Gewandhaus on +the same day as the "Preludes," and with which he had had ill- +success. David, who was present as leader of the orchestra, +"disapproved"--according to Eckardt--of Liszt's composing +tendency, but continued, till his life's end, "filled with +admiration for the incomparable artist and genial man," in the +friendliest relations with Liszt.] + +Before I go to bed let me give you my most sincere and heartfelt +thanks, my very dear friend, which I owe you for this evening. +You have proved yourself anew such a thorough gentleman +[Gentleman, put in English by Liszt] and high-standing artist at +this evening's concert. + +That is nothing new in you, but it gives me pleasure, as your old +friend, to repeat old things to you, and to remain ever yours +most gratefully, + +Franz Liszt + + + +178. To Wladimir Stassoff in St. Petersburg + +[A Russian writer, a musical and art critic, at present director +of the Imperial Public Library at St. Petersburg.] + +An illness, not in the least dangerous, but very inconvenient, +since it obliges me to keep my bed rather often (as at this +moment), has deprived me of the pleasure of replying sooner to +your very kind letter, firstly to thank you for it, and also to +tell you how delighted I shall be to make acquaintance with Mr. +Scroff's manuscripts, which you kindly introduce to me in so +persuasive a manner. Many people who have the advantage of +knowing Mr. Seroff, among others Mr. de Lenz and Prince Eugene +Wittgenstein, have spoken of him to me with great praise, as an +artist who unites to real talent a most conscientious +intelligence. It will be of great interest to me to estimate the +work to which he has devoted himself with such praiseworthy +perseverance, and thus to avail myself of the opportunity offered +to me of hearing those sublime works of the LAST PERIOD (I +purposely put aside + +the inappropriate word MANNER, and even the term STYLE) of +Beethoven--works which, whatever Mr. Oulibicheff and other +learned men may say who succeed more easily in POURING FORTH in +these matters than in being well versed [A play on words--verser +and verse.] in them, will remain the crowning point of +Beethoven's greatness. + +With regard to the edition of these scores of Mr. Seroff's for +two pianos, I will willingly do what you wish, though at the same +time confessing to you that my credit with the editors is not +worth much more than my credit with the above-mentioned learned +men, as these latter do their best to keep all sorts of cock-and- +bull stories going, which prevent the editors from running any +risk in mad enterprises they have so peremptorily been pointed +out to be! And, more than this, you are not ignorant that +arrangements for two pianos--the only ones adapted to show the +design and the grouping of ideas of certain works--are but little +in favor with music-sellers and very unsaleable, as the great +mass of pianists is scarcely capable of PLAYING ON the piano, and +cares very little (except sometimes for form's sake and human +respect) for the interest of intelligence and feeling which might +attach to the promenades of their fingers. In spite of all this, +please rest assured, sir, that I shall neglect nothing that can +justify the confidence you place in me, and pray accept the very +sincere regards of + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 17th, 1857 + +I am awaiting with impatience the parcel you promise me, and beg +you to make it as large as possible, so that I may make a +thorough acquaintance with Mr. Seroff's work. Especially be so +good as not to forget the arrangement of Beethoven's latter +Quartets. + + + +179. To Wilhelm von Lenz in St. Petersburg + +For pity's sake, dear friend, don't treat me like Moscheles; +don't think I am dead, although I have given you some little +right to think so by my long silence. But there are so many +"demi"-people, and demi-clever people (who are at least as +dangerous to Art as the demi-monde is to morals, according to +Alexandre Dumas), who say such utter stupidities about me in the +papers and elsewhere, that I really should not like to die yet, +if only not to disturb their beautiful business. You were even +complaining of one single whistling blackbird [Merle; means also +a whistling or hissing fellow.] pastorally perched on your book-- +what shall I say then of the croaking of that host of ravens and +of obliques hiboux [Oblique owls; the term is repeated +afterwards, and evidently refers to some joke, or else to some +remark of Lenz's.--Translator's note.] that spreads like an +"epidemic cordon" all the length of the scores of my Symphonic +Poems?--Happily I am not made of such stuff as to let myself be +easily disconcerted by their "concert," and I shall continue +steadfastly on my way to the end, without troubling about +anything but to do what I have to do--which will be done, I can +promise you. The rest of your "Beethoven," of which you speak, +has never reached me, and for six months past I have not had any +news of B., who, I am afraid, finds that he is clashing with some +rather difficult editorial circumstances, but from which I +presume he will have the spirit to free himself satisfactorily. A +propos of Beethoven, here is Oulibicheff, who has just hurled +forth a volume which I might well compare with the dragons and +other sacred monsters in papier-mache, with which the brave +Chinese attempted to frighten the English at the time of the last +war.--The English simply replied by bombs, which was the best +mode of procedure. If I find time in the course of the summer, I +shall answer Oulibicheff very respectfully in a brochure which +may be a pretty big one. For the moment I am still pinned to my +bed by a lot of boils which are flourishing on my legs, and which +I consider as the doors of exodus for the illness which has been +troubling me rather violently since the end of October. + +Mr. Stassoff, having written to me about Mr. Seroff, I wrote him +word quite lately that I should have real pleasure in making +acquaintance with the arrangement for two pianos of Beethoven's +later Quartets, etc. As soon as he lets me have them I will +examine them with all the attention that such a work merits, and +will write him my opinion, such as it is, with sincerity. As to +the question of the edition, that is not so easy to solve as you +seem to think. I wrote to Mr. Stassoff that arrangements for two +pianos, which are the only ones that give a suitable idea of +certain works, have very little currency with the public, as it +is very rare to find two instruments with most amateurs. In spite +of this, if, as I am inclined to think, Mr. Seroff's work answers +to the eulogies you pronounce on it, I shall try to find him a +publisher, and ask you only to get Mr. Seroff to let me know what +sum he expects. + +Why, dear friend, don't you decide to make a trip to Germany, and +to come and see me at Weymar? I asked you this three years ago, +and I again assure you that such a journey would not be without +use to you. It is in vain for you and Oulibicheff to enumerate +the advantages and improvements of Russia in musical matters; +people who know anything of the matter will beware of taking you +literally. Art at Petersburg can only be an accessory and a +superfluity for a long time to come, in spite of the very real +distinction and, if you will, even the superiority of some +persons who work at it with predilection, and who reside there. +Proofs abound in support of this opinion, and could not be so +soon changed. + +Believe me, my dear Lenz, if you wish to get to know the heart of +the musical question, come to Germany and come and see me. + +Meanwhile don't trouble yourself any more than I do about either +"merles" or "obliques hiboux"; go on familiarizing yourself with +the smiles and glances of your "chimera," and believe me your +most sincerely affectionate and devoted + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 24th, 1857 + + + +180. To Eduard Liszt + +Best and excellent Eduard, + +At last I send you the pianoforte edition of the Mass, which I +could not get in order sooner, much as I wished to do so, partly +owing to the excess of matters, letters, and business which have +been pressing upon me, and partly also on account of my illness, +which has obliged me to keep my bed for more than three weeks +past. As regards the edition, which can be got up in two styles, +according to whether one wants it to be economical or luxurious, +I send you word of all that is necessary on the accompanying +note-sheet (first page of the score--written by my hand), and beg +you, best friend, to use your influence to get the proofs sent to +me and to get the work published as quickly as possible. [The +Gran Mass.] + +Your last letter was again a great pleasure to me, owing to your +loving comprehension of my works. That in composing them I do not +quite work at haphazard and grope about in the dark, as my +opponents in so many quarters reproach me with doing, will be +gradually acknowledged by those among them who may be honest +enough not to wish entirely to obstruct a right insight into the +matter through preconceived views. As I have for years been +conscious of the artistic task that lies before me, neither +consistent perseverance nor quiet reflection shall be wanting for +the fulfillment of it. May God's blessing, without which nothing +can prosper and bear fruit, rest on my work!-- + +I have read with attention and interest the discussions in the +Vienna papers, to which the performance of the Preludes and the +concert gave rise. As I had previously said to you, the +doctrinaire Hanslick could not be favorable to me; his article is +perfidious, but on the whole seemly. Moreover it would be an easy +matter for me to reduce his arguments to nil, and I think he is +sharp enough to know that. On a better opportunity this could +also be shown to him, without having the appearance of correcting +him. I suppose the initials C. D. in the Vienna paper mean +Dorffl--or Drechsler? No matter by whom the critique is written, +the author convicts himself in it of such intense narrowness that +he will be very welcome to many other people less narrow than +himself. His like has already often existed, but is constantly in +demand. The musician nowadays cannot get out of the way of all +the buzzing. Twenty years ago there were hardly a couple of +musical papers in Europe, and the political papers referred only +in the most rare cases, and then only very briefly, to musical +matters. Now all this is quite different, and with my "Preludes," +for instance (which, by the way, are only the prelude to my path +of composition), many dozen critics by profession have already +pounced on them, in order to ruin me through and through as a +composer. I by no means say that present conditions, taken as a +whole, are more unfavorable to the musician than the earlier +conditions, for all this talk in a hundred papers brings also +much good with it, which would not otherwise be so easy to +attain;--but simply the thinking and creative artist must not +allow himself to be misled by it, and must go his own gait +quietly and undisturbed, as they say the hippopotamus does, in +spite of all the arrows which rebound from his thick skin. An +original thinker says, "As one emblem and coat of arms I show a +tree violently blown by the storm, which nevertheless shows its +red fruit on all the boughs, with the motto, Dum convellor +mitescunt; or also, Conquassatus sed ferax." + +When you have an opportunity I beg you to give my best thanks to +my old friend Lowy for the letter he wrote me directly after the +performance of the "Preludes." I know that he means well towards +me, in his own way, which, unfortunately, cannot be mine, +because, to me, friendship without heart and flame is something +foreign; and I cannot understand, for instance, why at the +concert in question he did not take his customary place, but kept +back in a corner, as he tells me. Pray when have I given him any +occasion to be ashamed of me? Do I not then stand up in the whole +world of Art as an honest fellow, who, faithful to his +conviction, despising all base means and hypocritical stratagems, +strives valiantly and honorably after a high aim? Given that I, +deceived by my many-sided experiences (which really cannot be +estimated as very slight, since I have lived and worked through +the periods--so important for music--of Beethoven, Schubert, +Mendelssohn, as well as Rossini and Meyerbeer), led astray by my +seven years' unceasing labour, have hit upon the wrong road +altogether, would it be the place of my intimate friend, in the +face of the opposition which is set up against me because I bring +something new, to blush, hide himself in a corner, and deny me? +You did otherwise and better in this, dearest Eduard, and your +conduct with Castelli was, as ever, perfectly right. My few +friends may take a good example from you, for they assuredly need +not let themselves be frightened by the concert which the bullies +and boobies raise against my things. I have, as usual, thought +over your musical remarks and reflections. The fourth movement of +the Concerto, [No. I, in E flat major.] from the Allegro +marziale, + +[a score appears here] + +corresponds with the second movement, Adagio:-- + +[a score appears here] + +It is only an urgent recapitulation of the earlier subject-matter +with quickened, livelier rhythm, and contains no new motive, as +will be clear to you by a glance through the score. This kind of +binding together and rounding off a whole piece at its close is +somewhat my own, but it is quite maintained and justified from +the standpoint of musical form. + +The trombones and basses + +[a score appears here] + +take up the second part of the motive of the Adagio (B major):-- + +[a score appears here]The pianoforte figure which follows + +[a score appears here] + +is no other than the reproduction of the motive which was given +in the Adagio by flute and clarinet, + +[a score appears here] + +just as the concluding passage is a Variante [various reading] +and working up in the major of the motive of the Scherzo, + +[a score appears here] + +until finally the first motive + +[a score appears here] + +on the dominant pedal B flat, with a shake accompaniment, + +[a score appears here] + +comes in and concludes the whole. + +The Scherzo in E flat minor, from the point where the triangle +begins, I employed for the effect of contrast. + +[a score appears here] As regards the triangle I do not deny that +it may give offence, especially if struck too strong and not +precisely. A preconceived disinclination and objection to +instruments of percussion prevails, somewhat justified by the +frequent misuse of them. And few conductors are circumspect +enough to bring out the rhythmic element in them, without the raw +addition of a coarse noisiness, in works in which they are +deliberately employed according to the intention of the composer. +The dynamic and rhythmic spicing and enhancement, which are +effected by the instruments of percussion, would in more cases be +much more effectually produced by the careful trying and +proportioning of insertions and additions of that kind. But +musicians who wish to appear serious and solid prefer to treat +the instruments of percussion en canaille, which must not make +their appearance in the seemly company of the Symphony. They also +bitterly deplore, inwardly, that Beethoven allowed himself to be +seduced into using the big drum and triangle in the Finale of the +Ninth Symphony. Of Berlioz, Wagner, and my humble self, it is no +wonder that "like draws to like," and, as we are treated as +impotent canaille amongst musicians, it is quite natural that we +should be on good terms with the canaille among the instruments. +Certainly here, as in all else, it is the right thing to seize +upon and hold fast [the] mass of harmony. In face of the most +wise proscription of the learned critics I shall, however, +continue to employ instruments of percussion, and think I shall +yet win for them some effects little known. + +I hear from Paris that at all the street corners there they are +selling a little pamphlet for a sou entitled "Le seul moyen de ne +pas mourir le 13 Juin a 1'apparition de la Comete." ["The only +means how not to die on the 13th of June at the appearance of the +comet."] The only means is to drown oneself on the 12th of June. +Much of the good advice which is given to me by the critics is +very like this seul moyen. Yet we will not drown ourselves--not +even in the lukewarm waters of criticism--and will also for the +future stand firm on our own legs with a good conscience. + +I had still much more to say to you, but the letter has become so +long that I should not like to take up any more of your time. It +is to be hoped that we shall see each other in the course of this +summer, when we shall be able again to talk over everything to +our hearts' content. Meanwhile I thank you again warmly for your +friendship, and remain yours from my heart. + +F. Liszt + +What you tell me of your idea for Daniel [Liszt's son] is very +agreeable and soothing. I must beg the Princess to correspond +with you in reference to the matter. My decision to send D. to +Vienna, in order to finish his law there, and to entrust him to +your protection, is pretty much unchanged. + +Weymar, March 26th, 1857 + +In the next number of Brendel's paper appears a long letter from +R. Wagner on my individuality as a composer, which will be of +interest to you. + + + +181. To Georg Schariezer, Vice-President of the Church Musical +Society at the St. Martin's Coronation Church in Pressburg + +[From a copy of Herr Stadthauptmann Johann Batka in Pressburg.-- +The Church Musical Society, which has been in existence since +1833, and which undertakes the performance of classical +instrumental Masses during the service every Sunday and saint's +day, performed Beethoven's Grand Mass as early as 1835, and many +times since, and has given Liszt's Gran Mass every year since +1872.] + +Dear Sir, + +The friendly intention of the highly renowned Pressburg +Kirchenmusikverein [Church Musical Society] to give a performance +of my "Missa Solemnis" is an uncommon pleasure to me, and I send +Your Honor my special thanks for the kind letter with which you +have honored me in the name of the Kirchenmusikverein. Much as I +should like to meet your wishes without any ceremony, and to send +you the score and parts at once, yet I am constrained to beg for +a long delay, for the reason that the score, together with the +pianoforte arrangement, is obliged to remain for some months +longer in the Royal State Printing House in Vienna, and I cannot +get the parts copied out afresh until the publication of the work +next September. The copies which were used at Gran and Prague +have been lost, and several essential alterations which I have +finally made in the score necessitate the making of an entirely +new copy. + +I hope, however, that you, dear sir, as well as the K.-M.-V, will +continue your kind intention towards me, whereby I may have the +prospect of my Mass being performed by you later on. If I am not +quite mistaken, the Church element, as well as the musical style +of this work, will be better understood and more spiritually felt +after frequent performances than can be the case at first in the +face of the prevailing prejudice against my later compositions, +and the systematic opposition of routine and custom which I have +to meet with on so many sides. Thus much I may in all +conscientiousness affirm, that I composed the work, from the +first bar to the last, with the deepest ardor as a Catholic and +the utmost care as a musician, and hence I can leave it with +perfect comfort to time to form a corresponding verdict upon it. + +As soon as the score comes out I shall have the pleasure of +sending Your Honor a copy; and should your present design perhaps +come to pass in the spring, I shall be delighted to be present at +the performance, and to conduct the final rehearsals myself. + +Accept, dear sir, my best thanks, together with the expression of +my high esteem. + +Yours most truly, + +Franz Liszt + +Weymar, April 25th, 1857 + + + +182. To Eduard Liszt + +Dearest Eduard, + +I have been thinking over the matter of supporting the voices by +some wind instruments and brass in my Mass for men's voices, +without being able to make up my mind to write out this +accompaniment. I ought properly to hear the Vienna chorus in +order to hit the right proportion, which is very various, +according to the size of the church, and also the class of +instruments, and the less or greater ability of the musicians. It +would be very agreeable to me if Herbeck, who appears to take an +interest in my work, would take the decision upon himself +according to what he thinks best, and would either keep in the +printed organ accompaniment, or write a small additional score as +support to the voices. In the latter case I think that horns, +clarinets, oboes, and bassoons cannot be dispensed with, and that +probably trombones would also make a good effect in the Kyrie and +Credo. + +Remember me most kindly to Herbeck, and tell him my idea as well +as my request. In the studying of the Mass he will best ascertain +which passages most require a supplement-accompaniment. + +Owing to my long-continued illness, which obliges me for the most +part to keep my bed, I have not yet been able to hear his +Quartet, which he was so good as to send me; but I shall shortly +give it over to our excellent Quartet Society (Singer, Cossmann, +Stor, Walbruhl) for a performance. + +By today's post I send you an alteration in the Agnus Dei of my +Gran Mass, which I beg you to hand to the compositor. The voice +parts remain as before, but in the pauses I make the first +subject come in again in the basses, which makes the movement +more completely one whole. The compositor must work by this proof +for the whole Agnus Dei, and only revert to the general score +where the "Dona nobis pacem" (Allegro moderato) comes in. + +Wagner's letter has been published in a separate form, and you +will receive several copies of it, as I believe you take interest +in it, and will make a good use of it. + +The Princess has been a prisoner to her bed for more than three +weeks, and is suffering from acute rheumatism. Princess Marie has +also been poorly, so that the whole house has been very dismal. +The last few days I have pulled myself together, and have had my +choruses to Herder's "Prometheus" performed, which have +unexpectedly made a very good impression, and were received with +unusual sympathy. In the course of the summer I shall have the +whole work printed. The eight choruses, together with the +[spoken] text, which has been skillfully compiled after Herder +and Aeschylus [By Richard Pohl], and the preliminary Symphonic +Poem (No. 5 of those published by Hartel), take about an hour and +a half in performance. If I am not mistaken, the work will, later +on, approve itself in larger concerts. + +About the 15th May I shall be going to Aix-la-Chapelle, to +conduct the Musical Festival there at Whitsuntide. That will be +another good opportunity for many papers to abuse me, and to let +off their bile!--If the programme which I shall put forward is +realized at the September Festival you must come here and hear it +with me. + +My mother writes from Paris that Blandine has been living with +the Countess d'A. since the 20th of this month. Cosima's marriage +with H. von Bulow will probably take place before September. +About Daniel the Princess will write to you fully when she is +better. + +God be with you and yours. Yours from my heart, + +F. Liszt + +Weimar, April 27th, 1857 + + + +183. To Frau von Kaulbach + +[The letter, together with the following one, written by Kaulbach +to Liszt in the fifties, was published in the Tagliche Rundschau +[Daily Review], and afterwards in the Neue Berline Musikzeitung +[Berlin New Musical Paper] of March 19th, 1891. It is well known +that Liszt derived his inspiration to write the Hunnenschlachl +[Battle of the Huns] from Kaulbach's celebrated picture on the +staircase of the New Museum in Berlin. He intended to work up the +six pictures of Kaulbach's which are there, in a similar +symphonic manner, probably for theatrical performance in Weimar. +Dingelstedt appears also to have planned an after-poem in verses. +Kaulbach's letter to his friend is as follows: "Your original and +spirited idea--the musical and poetic form of the historical +pictures in the Berlin Museum--has taken hold of me completely. I +much wish to hear yours and Dingelstedt's ideas of this +performance. The representation of these powerful subjects in +poetical, musical, and artistic form must constitute a harmonious +work, rounded off into one complete whole. It will resound and +shine through all lands!!--I shall therefore hasten to Weimar, as +soon as my work here will let me free.--With the warmest regards +to the Princess, that truly inspired friend of Art, and to her +charming daughter, from myself and my wife, I remain, in +unchangeable respect and friendship, Your faithful, W. +Kaulbach."] + +Dear Madam, + +I have been encouraged to send you what indeed truly belongs to +you, but what, alas! I must send in so shabby a dress that I must +beg from you all the indulgence that you have so often kindly +shown me. At the same time with these lines you will receive the +manuscript of the two-pianoforte arrangement of my Symphonic Poem +"Die Hunnenschlacht" (written for a large orchestra and completed +by the end of last February), and I beg you, dear madam, to do me +the favor to accept this work as a token of my great reverence +and most devoted friendship towards the Master of masters. +Perhaps there may be an opportunity later on, in Munich or +Weymar, in which I can have the work performed before you with +full orchestra, and can give a voice to the meteoric and solar +light which I have borrowed from the painting, and which at the +Finale I have formed into one whole by the gradual working up of +the Catholic chorale "Crux fidelis," and the meteoric sparks +blended therewith. As I already intimated to Kaulbach in Munich, +I was led by the musical demands of the material to give +proportionately more place to the solar light of Christianity, +personified in the Catholic chorale "Crux fidelis," than appears +to be the case in the glorious painting, in order thereby to win +and pregnantly represent the conclusion of the Victory of the +Cross, with which I, both as a Catholic and as a man, could not +dispense. + +Kindly excuse this somewhat obscure commentary on the two +opposing streams of light in which the Huns and the Cross are +moving; the performance will make the matter bright and clear-- +and if Kaulbach finds something to amuse him in this somewhat +venturesome mirroring of his fancy I shall be royally delighted. + +Through Dingelstedt, whom our Grand Duke is taking away from +Munich, you have heard the latest news from Weymar, and I have, +alas! only bad news to give you of the Princess W. For many weeks +she has been confined to bed with acute rheumatism, and it is +hardly likely that she will be restored to health before my +departure for Aix-la-Chapelle towards the middle of May. Allow +me, my dear lady, to beg you to give Kaulbach my warmest and most +hearty thanks for the wonderful sketch of Orpheus with which he +has honored and delighted me; and once more begging you to pardon +me for the dreadful scrawl of my manuscript, I remain yours with +all respect and devoted friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, May 1st, 1857 + + + +184. To Fedor von Milde, Kammersanger + +[A singer in the service of a prince] in Weimar [An excellent +Wagner singer. The first Telramund in Lohengrin.] + +Dear Friend, + +I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of letting you know of the +really extraordinary success, not made up, but thoroughly +effectual and brilliant, of your wife. [Rosa, nee Agthe, trained +by Franz Gotze.] Cologne, Dusseldorf, Bonn, Elberfeld, and the +entire neighborhood agree with Aix-la-Chapelle that your wife +made the festivity of the Musical Festival; and although success +cannot as a rule be considered as a criterion of artistic worth, +yet if it be attested so truly and de bon aloi as in this case, +and follow that artistic worth, it has something refreshing and +strengthening in which we, in trio, can fully rejoice. + +A speedy meeting to us, and friendly greetings and thanks from + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Aix-La-Chappelle, Wednesday, June 3rd, 1857 + + + +185. To Johann von Herbeck + +Weymar, June 12th, 1857 + +Dear Sir and Friend, + +On my return from the Aix-la-Chapelle Musical Festival--which may +be considered successful on the whole, from the very fact that +opponents do not conceal their dissatisfaction--I find here your +kind letter, for which I send you my warmest thanks. My excellent +cousin and friend, Dr. Eduard Liszt, had already informed me of +your kind willingness to undertake the instrumentation of my +Vocal Mass: I am entirely in accord with the various sketches you +so kindly lay before me in your letter, and only beg you, dear +sir, to complete this work according to your own best judgment, +without any small considerations. I certainly should not wish the +organ to be absent from it, but it is a perfectly correct idea to +give those passages in the Kyrie, Suscipe deprecationem, +Crucifixus, and others besides, + +[A score appears here] + +to the wind exclusively. When I expressed to my cousin my wish to +place the instrumentation of the Mass in your hands, it was +because I was convinced beforehand of the excellence of your +work. The examples which you have given me in your letter show me +that I was not wrong, and I shall rejoice most sincerely when the +moment arrives for us to go through the whole score together. +Eduard intends to visit me here towards the end of August, and if +it is possible for you to come to Weymar at the same time with +him, and to stay a few days in my house, it will be very +agreeable to me. + +On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th September the Jubilee festivities of the +Grand Duke Carl August will take place here, on which occasion I +propose to perform several of my later orchestral compositions, +and also the chorus "An die Kiinstler." ["To Artists."] Eduard +will give you a more detailed programme of the Festival later on. +Should you, however, be prevented from being present at it, it +needs no special assurance to you that your visit will be very +welcome to me any day, and I will do my best that you shall not +suffer from ennui in Weymar. [Herbeck accepted the invitation.] + +May I also beg you to send me, when you have an opportunity, and +if possible very soon, the parts of your Quartet, [D minor, +unpublished] which pleases me so much, and which, both in its +mood and in its writing of the different parts, is so eminently +noble and finely sustained. In case you have not been able to +arrange for the copying of the parts, it will be a pleasure to me +to get them copied here. Our Weymar quartet, Messrs. Singer, +Stor, Walbruhl, and Cossmann, is competent for this work, and you +will, I trust, be satisfied with the performance. Unfortunately +Cossmann's illness has prevented our usual quartet-productions +for some months past, and Cossmann was also unable to take part +in the Aix-la-Chapelle Musical Festival. But yesterday he told me +that in a few days he should be able to take up his bow again, +and therefore I want them to set to work on your Quartet at once. + +To our speedy meeting then, and once more best thanks from yours +in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + + + +186. To Countess Rosalie Sauerma, nee Spohr + +Your letter gave me great pleasure, dear Countess and admirable +artist, and, though still obliged to keep my bed (which I have +been able to leave so little during the whole winter), I hasten +to reassure you entirely about my state of health. As a fact, I +have never done my obstinate illness the honor of considering it +serious, and now less than ever, for I hope to have entirely got +over it by the end of the week. So do not let us talk about it +any more, and let me tell you at once how sincerely I rejoice in +your projects of being, so to say, in the neighborhood of +Dresden, for it seems to me that, among the towns of Germany, it +is the one in which you will find most charm. I shall certainly +come and pay you my visit there in the course of the winter, and +I hope also that you will not altogether forget your friends of +Weymar. + +When you come back here, you will find very little change, but +simply three more Weymarers--Goethe, Schiller, and Wieland--whose +statues will be inaugurated next September, on the occasion of +the celebration of the Jubilee fetes of the Grand Duke Carl +August. They are also planning music for the occasion; and I +predict to you beforehand that you will be able to read all sorts +of unflattering things on this subject, as the music in question +will be in great part my composition. However that may be, I +shall try to have always something better to do than to trouble +myself with what is said or written about me. + +How delighted I shall be to hear you again, and to rock myself as +in a hammock to the sound of your arpeggi. You have not, I am +sure, broken off your good habits of work, and your talent is +certain to be more magnificent than ever. Quite lately Madame +Pohl, who played Parish Alvars' Oberon Fantaisie charmingly, +recalled most vividly the remembrance of the delightful hours at +Eilsen and Weymar, which I hope soon to resume at Dresden...Be so +kind as to present my best compliments to your husband and all +your dear ones, and pray accept, dear Countess, the expression of +most affectionate homage from yours very sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, June 22nd, 1857 + +The Princess W. has been very seriously ill for more than two +months; she is only just convalescent, and bids me give her best +remembrances to you. + + + +187. To Ludmilla Schestakoff, nee Glinka, in St. Petersburg + +[sister of the celebrated Russian composer Glinka] + +Madame, + +I wish I were able to tell you how much I have been touched by +the letter you have done me the honor to address to me. Thank you +for having thought of me as one of the most sincere and zealous +admirers of the fine genius of your brother, so worthy of a noble +glory for the very reason that it was above vulgar successes. And +again thank you for the grace which prompts you to wish to +inscribe my name on one of his orchestral works, which are +certain to be valued and to obtain a sympathetic preference from +people of taste. + +I accept with a real gratitude the dedication with which you +honor me, and it will be at once my pleasure and duty to do my +best towards the propagation of Glinka's works, for which I have +always professed the most open and admiring sympathy. Of this I +beg you, Madame, to receive anew my assurance, and to accept the +most respectful homage of + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, October 7th, 1857 + +I am writing by the same post to Mr. Engelhardt in Berlin to +thank him for his letter, and to tell him that I feel quite +flattered at seeing my name attached to a score of Glinka's. + + + +188. To Carl Haslinger + +[autograph without address in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet +in Valentigney--The above was presumably the addressee.] + +Dear Friend, + +The writing of notes [music] draws me more and more away from the +writing of letters, and my friends have already much to pardon me +in this respect. With the best will in the world to fulfill my +obligations, it is nevertheless impossible for me, owing to the +countless claims that are made on me, to find time to do so. So +do not scold me, dear friend, for having left your last letter +unanswered. I had given myself a great deal to do with some +manuscripts; the final proofs of the Faust and Dante Symphonies, +in particular, which will now soon be engraved, had occupied me +much longer than I expected. The two works are now as well +finished as I am in a position to make them, and will, I hope, +hold their POSITION. + +I congratulate you most warmly on the performance of your opera. +You may safely expect various disagreeables in connection +therewith, which are inseparable from musical work. The great +thing is to remain cheerful, and to do something worth doing. The +cuckoo take the rest!-- + +Let me have a talk with you about the Zellner matter in Vienna, +if, as seems likely, I have to go there at the end of May for the +performance of my Mass. Meanwhile thank you very much for the +pains you have taken over the proof-sheets of this long- +protracted work, and I should be glad if the whole were ready to +come out by the time I reach Vienna. + +Tausig, who is to come out in Berlin at the beginning of January, +will probably come with me. There is again a real "bravo," +[Literally, iron-eater.] as Hummel said of me when he heard me in +Paris in the twenties. + +Will you be so kind as to give the enclosed letters to +Winterberger and Rubinstein? How is our friend Winterberger +getting on in the not very suitable atmosphere of Vienna? Let me +know something about him soon. Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 5th, 1857. + + + +189. To Hofcapellmeister Stein In Sondershausen. + +[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.-- +The addressee, a first-rate conductor (born 1818), lived from +1853 in Sondershausen; died 1864.] + +Let me give you once more my hearty thanks, dear friend, for the +delightful day you gave me at Sondershausen, which continues so +brightly and pleasantly in my recollection. The rare consummation +with which your orchestra solved one of the most difficult tasks, +and brought "what one hears on the mountains" [Liszt's Mountain +Symphony] to the impressive understanding of the ears in the +valley (if not indeed under the water and worse still), +strengthens me in my higher endeavors,--and you, dear friend, +will have to bear some of the responsibility if I go on writing +more such "confused," "formless," and, for the every-day critic, +quite "fathomless" things. + +Singer [A letter from this first-rate violinist is on the same +sheet with Liszt's.] needs no further recommendation from me, as +he is already known to you as an eminent virtuoso. Especially at +Court concerts his own refined and brilliant qualities are placed +in their most favorable light. + +If it is possible for you to take an opportunity of bringing out +my dear and extraordinary budding genius Carl Tausig ["The last +of the virtuosi;" as Weitzmann called him; born at Warsaw 1841; +died at Leipzig 1871.] at the Court, I promise you that he will +do honor to your recommendation. + +In all esteem and devotion, yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 6th, 1857 + + + +190. To Alexander Ritter in Stettin. + +Dear friend, + +Your tidings sound as incredible as they are pleasant. And I must +admit, what has long been proved to me, that you are a valiant +and excellent friend, and prove your friendship splendidly by the +success of your venturesome undertaking. Specially do I give you +my best thanks for the pregnant and poetic form which you gave to +the Tasso programme. Later on, as you have broken the ice in so +happy a fashion, we can push on with + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt of the +beginning of the Symphonic Poem "Festklange." + +and other such corrupt things in Stettin!-- + +I was not able to attend to your letter about the matter of the +parts of the Flying Dutchman until after my return to Weymar. +Herr von Dingelstedt spoke to me about the idea in regard to the +fee for Wagner (from the Stettin Directors), and the reply to you +from the Secretary Jacobi will be to that effect. If, as I +presume, you can so arrange that this idea is carried out, and +that Wagner receives his fee, the parts shall be sent you from +here. + +I visited your dear sisters many times in Dresden, and had some +delightful chats with them. + +In Carl's Sonatas [Carl Ritter], which I have read with much +interest, there is a decidedly musical germ; only I hope that by +degrees more juicy fruit may spring from it. + +Cornelius is bringing his completed opera back to Weymar at the +end of this month. [Doubtless "Der Barbier von Baghdad."] Lassen, +who is getting on splendidly with his ("Frauenlob "), has +composed several exquisite songs between whiles. "Landgraf +Ludwig's Brautfahrt" ["Landgrave Ludwig's Bridal Journey," an +unpublished opera of Lassen's.] will again be given next Sunday, +and from New Year (1858) Lassen will act as Grand Ducal Music +Conductor of Weymar. Gotze is retiring from work, and your friend +Stor undertakes his post as First Music Conductor. Damrosch, your +successor, has composed a quite remarkable Violin Concerto with a +Polonaise Finale, with which you will be pleased. + +Recall me most kindly to your wife's remembrance, as one who +remains ever + +Yours in all affection and devotion, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 7th, 1857 + + + +191. To Capellmeister Max Seifriz At Lowenberg + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Alexander Meyer Cohn in +Berlin. The addressee (1827-85) was, after 1854, conductor to +Prince Hohenzollern-Hechingen at Lowenberg in Silesia, until the +latter's death in 1869, when he became Court Conductor in +Stuttgart.] + +Dear Herr Capellmeister, + +With my very best thanks for your friendly letter I send you, +according to your wish, the score of the "Prometheus" choruses. +For the present I am not requiring it, and send it you with great +pleasure, so that you may be able to read it through at your +ease. I fear, alas! that the difficulty of some of the intonation +in the first choruses may make the studying of it a rather +detailed matter to you. Such irksomeness unfortunately attaches +to all my works, not excepting the Ave Maria, which I might +nevertheless venture to recommend to you next, if you have any +intention of performing a vocal work of my composition. It was +published by Breitkopf & Hartel (score and parts), and has been +pretty favorably received at various performances of it. + +I wrote yesterday to His Royal Highness, and expressed my special +thanks for the kind attention in inviting Herr von Bulow during +my stay at L. I rejoice immensely at the thought of these days, +in which musical matter will by no means be wanting to us. +Meanwhile remember me most kindly to your orchestra, which +preserves so well its high renown, and accept, my dear sir, the +assurance of high esteem with which I remain + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 24th, 1857 + +In the early part of April you shall hear when I am coming to +Lowenberg. + + + +192. To Alexander Seroff + +My dear Sir, + +By what I said in the Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik, [1858, No. 1, +in the article "Oulibicheff and Seroff."] on New Year's Day, of +your remarkable articles on Oulibicheff, you will have seen to +what point I take your ideas into consideration, and how closely +we meet in our musical convictions. To the sincere eulogies which +I have had much pleasure in addressing to you in public, it +remains to me to add those which I owe you for the conscientious +work that you have had the kindness to communicate to me by +sending me the pianoforte score of Beethoven's Quartet in C sharp +minor. Without the least exaggeration, I don't think anything of +its kind could have been better done, as much on account of the +intelligent division of the parts between the two pianos, as by +the skill with which you have appropriated to the piano the style +of this Quartet, without forcing or disfiguring anything. + +In this latter task there are without doubt some impossibilities +which one cannot fail to recognize, and, whatever effort we may +make, we shall never succeed in rendering on our instrument +either the intensity or the delicacy of the violin bow. In the +same manner the coloring, and the fine nuances of the violin, +viola, and violoncello will always escape us--but in spite of +this it is due to you in justice to recognize that your work +identifies itself as far as possible with the sentiment and +thought of the original, and that you have frequently succeeded +in supplementing the poverty and defects inherent in such an +arrangement. + +About six weeks ago I sent your manuscript to Mr. Schott, the +editor, at Mainz, recommending him to publish your arrangement. +Up to the present time I have received no reply, which, however, +seems to me a good sign. As soon as ever I hear his determination +I will let you know. Possibly in the course of the summer you +will find a few weeks' leisure to make a journey into these parts +and to bring us the complete collection of your arrangements of +Beethoven's latter instrumental works. In that case let me beg of +you, my dear sir, not to forget me, and to rest assured +beforehand of the lively interest that I shall take in your work, +which it would be doubly interesting to me to go through with +you. Bearing in mind the original, we should probably find, +between us, some details to modify previous to a definite +publication. + +For today allow me to thank you once more, my dear sir, very +cordially for having associated me in thought with your beautiful +work, and pray accept the expression of very sincere and +affectionate regard of + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 8th, 1858 + + + +193. To Basil von Engelhardt + +[A very intelligent musical amateur, a friend of Glinka's, and +publisher of several of his works] + +Sir, + +Whilst giving you my very sincere thanks for so kindly sending me +the Glinka scores published by your friends, I am much pleased to +be able at the same time to inform you that the Capriccio on the +melody of the "Jota Aragonese" has just been performed (on New +Year's Day) at a grand Court concert with most complete success. +Even at the rehearsal the intelligent musicians whom I am proud +to count among the members of our orchestra had been both struck +and delighted by the lively and piquant originality of this +charming piece, so delicately cut and proportioned, and finished +with such taste and art! What delicious episodes, cleverly joined +to the principal subject (Letters A and B)! What fine nuances and +coloring divided among the different timbres of the orchestration +(Letters C to D)! What animation in the rhythmic movement from +one end to the other! How the happiest surprises spring +constantly out of the logical developments! and how everything is +in its right place, keeping the mind constantly on the watch, +caressing and tickling the ear by turns, without a single moment +of heaviness or fatigue! This is what we all felt at this +rehearsal; and the day after the performance we promised +ourselves to hear it again speedily, and to make acquaintance, as +speedily as possible, with Glinka's other works. + +Will you, my dear musician, be so kind as to renew the expression +of my gratitude to Madame Schestakoff for the honor she has done +me in dedicating this work to me? And when you have time, do come +and hear it with your own ears at Weymar. I can assure you that +you will not have occasion to regret the troubles of a little +journey; and were it only the rhythm + +[FIGURE: Music example in 2 staves, the upper 'wind and brass', +the lower 'string quartet'] + +that would be enough to make ample amends for them. I beg you, +sir, to accept the assurance of my sincere regard. + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 8th, 1858 + +P.S.--I shall be much obliged if you will send me two +supplementary parts of the quartet (first and second violin, +viola, and bass) of each of Glinka's works. + + + +194. To Felix Draseke + +[Now professor at the Dresden Conservatorium, a well-known +composer of importance, also a writer on music (born 1835)] + +Your articles [Published in the paper started by Brendel, "Hints" +(or "Suggestions")], which were so universally suggestive, my +dear and valiant friend, have given great pleasure to us on the +Altenburg. I hope to have an opportunity of showing you my +gratitude in a lasting and abiding fashion. Meanwhile be +satisfied with a good conscience in having strengthened and +sustained an honest man in his better purpose. + +I have received through Brendel an invitation to Prague, which I +shall probably accept for the beginning of March. I am delighted +to think of seeing you again, dear friend, in passing through +Dresden, and perhaps you might make it possible to accompany me +to Prague. The "Dante Symphony" and the "Ideale" are again to be +given there, and, if I am not mistaken, you will rather like the +former work in its present shape. The Dresden performance was a +necessity to me, in order to realize its effect. As long as one +has only to do with lifeless paper one can easily make a slip of +the pen. Music requires tone and resonance!--I cannot at first +lay claim to effectual results, because I have to meet too much +opposition. The chief thing is that my present works should prove +themselves to be taking a firm footing in musical matters, and +should contribute something towards doing away with what is +corrupt... + +What is Reubke [A pupil of Liszt's.] doing, and how does he like +Dresden?--Take him most friendly greetings from me. By-the-by ask +him also to give me tidings as soon as possible (through Herr +Menert) about the copying of the orchestral parts of the +Rubinstein Oratorio "Paradise Lost," and to get Herr Menert to +send me these parts to Weymar by the end of this month at latest. +It is to be hoped that Reubke won't have left the score in his +box like Pohl! But if by chance he has committed such a +transgression I beg that he will make amends as speedily as +possible. + +Fischer (the organist) wrote to me lately, to ask me for a +testimonial to his musical ability, as he wants to have one to +show in Chemnitz. Please to make my friendly excuses to him for +not fulfilling his wish--possibly, in view of the enmity which I +have to bear on all sides, such a document would do him more harm +than good; apart from the fact that I very unwillingly set about +drawing up such testimonials. He must not, however, misconstrue +this disinclination on my part, and may rest assured of my +readiness to be of use to him.-- + +I would still draw your attention to Bronsart's concert in +Leipzig. It will take place in a few days, and if you can get +free I invite you to it. Bronsart is a very dear friend of mine; +I value him as a character and as a musician. If you go to +Leipzig go and see him; he will please you, and will receive you +in the most friendly manner. He is a friend of Bulow's. Both +names have the same initials, and for a long time Bronsart signed +himself "Hans II." in his letters to me.-- + +In the virtuoso line we have lately been hearing Sivori and +Bazzini here several times. The latter is now in Dresden; I told +him that Reubke would perhaps call on him. Get Reubke to do so, +and assure him that he will be most friendlily received. A well- +known piece of Bazzini's, "La Ronde des Lutins," was, by a +printer's error, called "Ronde des Cretins!" ["Rondo of Idiots."] +What an immeasurably large public for such a "Rondo"! If only +half of them would become subscribers to the Anregungen (Hints)! + +Once more a thousand thanks, dear friend, for your courageous +battling; I on my side will endeavour not to let us have to +acquiesce with too overpowering a modesty! [An untranslatable pun +on the words "beseheiden" and "Bescheidenheit." + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +[Weimar,] Sunday, January 10th, 1858 + + + +195. To Louis Koehler + +My very dear friend, + +A few days ago I received a letter from Koenigsberg, signed by a +gentleman unknown to me. By chance this letter has got lost, +and I cannot myself remember the exact name. But, as your name +was mentioned in it, I beg you to be so good as to let Herr * * * +know that I do not possess the arrangement of the second movement +of my Faust Symphony made by Zellner in Vienna for pianoforte, +violin, harp, and harmonium, and that consequently I cannot hand +it over to him. Besides this, I do consider such a fragmentary +performance of this work of mine, which stands in such bad credit +with the critics, as rather unsuitable, and would not advise any +concert-giver, and still less any concert-directors, to smuggle +into a programme my name so challenged as a composer. How long +this curious comedy of criticism will last I am unable to +determine; anyhow I am resolved not to trouble my head about the +cry of murder which is raised against me, and to go on my way in +a consistent and undeterred fashion. Whether I shall be +answerable for the scandal, or whether my opponents will entangle +themselves in the scandal, will appear later. Meanwhile they can +hiss and scribble as much as they please. In the course of the +summer my "Faust" and "Dante" Symphonies will be published by +Hartel, together with a couple of new Symphonic Poems. The "Faust +Symphony" is dedicated to Berlioz, and the "Dante" to Wagner. I +am sending them to you, dear friend, with the two pianoforte +arrangements, with the risk that nothing will please you in them, +which however will not prevent us from being good friends. You +may rest assured that I shall always be grateful to you for the +friendliness you have shown me in past years, and that I would +never attempt to compromise you with my future. For the latter I +alone can and must care. + +Please then make my best excuses to Herr * * *, whose kind letter +has, alas! cost me much useless searching, and continue your +personal well-wishing to your ever faithful friend (though fallen +in musical esteem and under your ban), + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 1st, 1858 + + + +196. To Professor L. A. Zellner in Vienna + +You may believe me, dear friend, when I tell you that all the +disagreeables and vexations which the preparations for the +performance of my Mass [The Gran Festival Mass.] draw upon you +are the most acutely felt by myself. Do you really think it is +desirable to go against trifles of this sort and openly to fight +them? I should not like to decide this "a distance"; but I +promise you that I will not leave you in the lurch if in the end +the indispensable invitation to me follows. The concert at Prague +is to take place on the 12th of March, and I invite you to it. +Then after that I can travel with you on the 14th to Vienna or +return to Weymar. But I hope the former. I have nothing whatever +to say against the invitation of the Pest singers, because the +four persons have remained in my friendly remembrance. Yet I must +remark that the performance of the solos in my Mass offers no +special difficulties, and that consequently it could be quite +suitably and satisfactorily given by Vienna singers, which seems +both simpler and pleasanter. Herr Dr. Gunz, Herr Panzer, and +Fraulein Huber are quite satisfactory to me as soloists, as also +Fraulein Friedlowsky, of whom I have heard the highest praise as +Elizabeth. The tenor and alto are the chief people concerned, as +they have the principal subject in the Kyrie and Benedictus. If +we have two rehearsals with pianoforte, which I shall have great +pleasure in holding with the ladies and gentlemen myself, we +shall thoroughly get to the bottom of it; and if the singers have +steadfastness enough to make an effect with their part the thing +will go of itself. + +With regard to the chorus and orchestra I reserve it to myself to +express my thanks to Hellmesberger and the chorus-directors in +writing, as soon as I have definite tidings. But to you, dear +friend, I can only repeat that he who will understand me loves me +also--and that I remain, + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 8th, 1858 + + + +197. To Peter Cornelius in Mainz + +[Weimar,] February 19th, 1858 + +It is very bad, dearest Cornelius, that you have so long forsaken +us! Much as I must approve of your decision to finish writing +your Opera ["Der Barbier von Baghdad"] completely, yet I am +dreadfully sorry to be without you for so many months. I did hope +that you would be with us on the 18th of February for certain; +now you announce yourself for the middle of March, at which time +I shall probably not be here. On the 12th of March I conduct a +concert at Prague, at which the "Ideale" and the "Dante Symphony" +will be given. Thence I proceed to Vienna, and later to +Loewenberg (in Silesia) to my noble and most amiable patron +Prince Hohenzollern-Hechingen, who, in spite of political +changes, has not only retained his Hechingen orchestra, but has +also increased it by fresh members. + +I wish I could give you better tidings of my work, best friend, +than I am able to do. The last few months have passed without my +being able to do any steady work at my writing. I have merely +sketched and patched. + +By May will appear a new edition of the Kuenstler-Chor (with some +important simplifications and improvements), and shortly after +that the volume of my "Gesammelte Lieder" ["Collected Songs."] +(about thirty), one or two of which will not be displeasing to +you. I shall not be able to set to the working out of my +Elizabeth till my return from Vienna. + +The three songs [by Cornelius] (dedicated to Princess Marie) +[Princess Wittgenstein, now Princess Hohenlohe in Vienna.] are +charming and excellent. There is in them such a refined and true +proportion in union with such fervent and ardent mood that other +people besides the author must love them. + +In order to make no break in my wonted fault-finding, I observe +that in the fifth bar of the first song the A-flat is more +agreeable than G. + +[Figure: Music example showing the passage in question.] The +carrying out of the motive in the second song: + +[Figure: Here Liszt writes 2 bars of music to illustrate.] + +(page 2, last line, and page 3) you have done most happily--also +the moonlight conclusion of it, + +[Figure: Here Liszt writes 3 bars of music to illustrate.] + +and the poetic delineation of the last verse in the third song +(in which the rests in the voice part and the motive in the +accompaniment, enlivened by the rhythm [Here follows in the +original an illegible sign. In the song there come in here, in +place of the quaver movement which has prevailed hitherto, some +long-sustained chords in the accompaniment, which are again +interrupted by the quaver movement.], make an excellent effect):- +- + +"Wenn mein Lied zu Ende geht, Sing ich's weiter in Gedanken, +Wie's im Wald verschwiegen weht, Wie die Rosen sich umranken!" + +["When my song is ended quite, Yet in thought I still am singing, +As the wood at silent night Echoes from the day is bringing!"] + +Well and good, dearest Cornelius, and now some more soon, let me +beg of you! Don't make too long pauses in your hermitage, and +allow us to tell you and prove to you how truly we love you. + +F. Liszt + +P.S.--About two months ago I at last sent Schott the proofs of +the second year of the "Annees de Pelerinage," together with the +manuscript of Seroff's arrangement for two pianofortes of +Beethoven's C-sharp minor Quartet. Will you be so good as to get +Schott to let me know the fate of the C-sharp minor Quartet? +Although two-piano arrangements are somewhat thankless articles +of sale, yet perhaps Schott may manage to bring out this Quartet, +of which I should be very glad. + +Don't forget, dearest friend, to remind him that he has left my +letter about this matter hitherto unanswered--and I should be +glad to let Seroff know something definite. + + + +198. To Dionys Pruckner in Munich + +"Lohengrin" be thanked that I hear something from you again, dear +Dionysius, and I give you my best thanks that you wrote to me +directly after the first performance, and thus gave me fresh good +tidings [Namely after the first performance of Lohengrin in +Munich, on February 28th, 1858]. What criticism will emit about +it by way of addition troubles me little--in our present +circumstances its strength consists mainly in the fear which +people have of it; and, as the Augsburg gentlemen renounce all +claim "to wash to teach us," nothing remains for us but to teach +ourselves better than they can do it. + +Ad vocem of the severe gentlemen of Augsburg, I will send you in +a few days Bronsart's brochure "Musikalische Pflichten" ["Musical +Duties." Leipzig, Matthes, 1858] (in answer to the "Musikalische +Leiden" ["Musical Sufferings." In Nos. 353-55 of the supplement +to the Augsburg Allgemeine Zeitung, 1857.], etc.). The +A[llgemeine]Z[eitung] only made a couple of extracts from it in +its columns, and from these the point was missing. Bronsart +exquisitely accuses our opponents of ill-will, unfairness, and +calumniation. Since they have not succeeded in silencing us in a +conspicuous manner, they would like to kill us insignificantly, +for which, however, other weapons would be necessary than those +which they have at their command. + +Meanwhile Bronsart's form of argument will give you a pleasant +hour, and if, as you tell me, you have found in Munich a few +comrades of the same mind, let the "Musikalische Pflichten" be +recommended in their circle. + +Amongst other things the assumption of the reporter of the A. Z. +that Wagner himself had never conducted his Lohengrin better than +Franz Lachner, appeared to me very droll. It is well known that +Wagner has never heard this work, let alone conducted it!-- +Ignorance of this kind is, moreover, not the worst on the other +side, where intentional and unintentional ignorance and lies (not +to mince the matter) are continually being directed against us. + +But enough of that. Let us continue to go on our own way simply +and honorably, and let the tame or wild beasts on our right and +left behave as they like!-- + +I have not kept your last letter (during my stay in Dresden). +Address, up to the 25th of this month, to Haslinger in Vienna. I +shall get there by the beginning of next week, and shall conduct +the Gran Mass in the Redouten-Saal [Ball-room] on the 22nd and +23rd. Next Thursday the "Dante Symphony" and the "Ideale" will be +given here--and on Sunday "Tasso" (in a Conservatorium Concert). +Tausig and Pflughaupt [A pupil of Henselt and Liszt (1833-71)] +play my two Concertos. + +In the E-flat major (No. 1) I have now hit on the expedient of +striking the triangle (which aroused such anger and gave such +offence) quite lightly with a tuning-fork--and in the Finale +(Marcia) I have pretty nearly struck it out altogether, because +the ordinary triangle-virtuosi as a rule come in wrong and strike +it too hard. + +Rubinstein and Dreyschock came to see me in Weymar before I left. +The latter is intending to go to Munich. Go and see him and give +him greetings from me. + +Write and tell me, dear Dionysius, if I can be of use to you in +any way, and you may always dispose of Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Prague, March 9th, 1858 + +P.S.--Give me some tidings about your stay in Munich. With whom +do you have most intercourse? Do you see many of my friends +there--Kaulbach, Frau Pacher, etc.? Do you give lessons? Are you +thinking of settling there, or do you intend to make a concert +tour, and if so, where?--Send me also your exact address. + + + +199. To Eduard Liszt + +Dearest Eduard, + +Hearty thanks for your few lines. + +The letter of invitation has not yet arrived. It goes without +saying that I shall accept it; and as soon as I know in what form +and to whom I have to reply, I shall write at once. Meanwhile I +intend to reach Vienna on Monday, or Tuesday at latest. After +tomorrow's concert (with "Dante" and the "Ideale") there is still +a Conservatorium Concert to come off on Sunday at midday, at +which I shall conduct "Tasso," and also my first Concerto will be +played by Herr Pflughaupt. I shall either start for Vienna at +once that same evening, or else on Tuesday early. Will you be so +good as to order me rooms, as before, in the Kaiserin von +Oesterreach [Empress of Austria.] hotel? I am bringing Tausig +with me, whose acquaintance you will like to make. + +Yours in spirit, and by the ties of flesh and blood, + +F. Liszt + +Prague, Wednesday early, March 10th, 1858 + +I received the five hundred gulden all right--and also the big +bill, which was a pleasant surprise to me, for when I left Weymar +I had made up my mind to give up all claim to it. Now that it has +come, however, it must be something good!--I promise you this, +that we shall not disgrace ourselves, and shall even surpass the +expectations of our very few friends!-- + + + +200. To Frau Dr. Steche in Leipzig + +Vienna, March 20th, 1858 + +How many excuses I owe you, my dear lady and kind friend, for all +the trouble and disagreeables that the "Preludes" have occasioned +you! I can really scarcely pardon myself for having written the +piece!--When the Princess informed me of your kind intention I +wrote to her that a performance of my things in Leipzig appeared +to me untimely, and that I was resolved to let them fall into +oblivion rather than to importune my friends with them. Hence the +heterogeneousness of the letters and telegrams to you, dear +madam, which I beg you kindly to excuse. Candidly, I still think +it is better not to have the "Preludes" performed now in +Leipzig;[As there had already been a performance of this on the +26th of February, 1857, this can only refer to a performance in +the "Euterpe" Concerts.] but I thank you none the less warmly for +the kind interest you take in my compositions--in spite of their +bad name--and take this opportunity of repeating to you the +expression of high esteem and friendly devotion with which I +remain + +F. Liszt + + + +201. To Professor L. A. Zellner in Vienna + +Pest, April 6th, 1858 + +Dear Friend, + +With the + +[Here Liszt writes a musical score excerpt of a whole note A +falling to quarter note D, in octave below middle C, with the +word 'Cre - do' under the notes] + +Cre-do we will conclude this time in Vienna! We must not give +certain gentlemen any occasion to imagine that I concern myself +about them more than is really the case. Faust and Dante can +quietly wait for the due understanding of them. I must send them +next to Hartel, so that they may be published by the end of this +year. Give my very best thanks to Hellmesberger for the kind way +in which he meets me; he will forgive me if I cannot as yet put +it to use. Under existing circumstances it is wise and suitable +for me "to strive with earnest consistency for my high aim, +regardless of adverse circumstances and small-minded people." + +At the end of next week I go to Lowenberg, and thence back to +Weymar. Therefore no concert in Vienna for this season--what may +happen later on remains meanwhile undecided. + +The Pest concert has also not been given; but possibly my +Symphonic Poems may obtain a hearing in Pest sooner than in +Vienna, because I may expect much more susceptibility to them +here. When I have got my Opera finished, [This must be +"Sardanapalus."] I must in any case stay here a couple of month-- +and on that occasion, perhaps, I may be able to bring in my +Symphonic things in three or four concerts. But there is no hurry +whatever for this; the "Elizabeth" and the Opera must be finished +first... + +My intention had been to get to Vienna yesterday, and to be +satisfied with calling only on our four solo-singers and Count +Raday in Pest to express my thanks. But I was pressed on all +sides in so kind a manner to let my Gran Festival Mass be heard +again that I willingly acquiesced. The articles in the Austrian +p[aper], and your brochure, have done the most towards stirring +up the general wish. The public is like this--that they only know +what they ought to think of a work when they see it printed in +black and white!--You have therefore to answer for it if the Mass +is performed here a second time--on Friday afternoon in the +Museum-Saal (for the benefit of the Conservatorium) and on Sunday +in the Parish Church. On Monday evening I shall be in Vienna. I +wrote to Tausig yesterday that we would decide on the evening of +our musical meeting at your house after Countess Banffy has +chosen on the evening for her soiree (at which Tausig will play). +If I hear anything further about it Tausig shall let you know at +once, so that you may be able to make your invitations in +advance. On Thursday or on Saturday at latest I leave Vienna. All +further particulars viva voce. + +Yours ever, + +F. Liszt + +There is no truth in the idea of a private concert. I will tell +you in what way I might be able to realize it another time--and +will take counsel and consent about it from you. + + + +202. To Eduard Liszt + +Dearest Eduard, + +It is not enough that I have already been in all sorts of trouble +here in connection with the two performances of the Gran Mass, +which will take place next Friday and Sunday (for which four to +five rehearsals at the least are indispensable)--but now the post +from Vienna brings me bad tidings, for which indeed I was +prepared, but which, nevertheless, are by no means desired by me. +I had a long letter yesterday from our friend Z., which I am +answering with a decided refusal as regards a nearly impending +performance of my Symphonic Poems in Vienna. For this time we +will stop at the two performances of the Gran Mass--neither a +note more nor less. Later on we will consider how we shall stand +on the next occasion, and I shall take counsel with you about it, +because I have the conviction that you not only intend and act +for the best and kindest as regards me, but also the most +judiciously!-- + +On Monday evening I shall be back in Vienna--and will expect you +directly I reach home. If possible I shall start from Vienna on +Thursday evening--but at the latest on Saturday early. I have +written to Tausig to take my old rooms for me. Much as I should +like to come to you, yet this time it is simpler for me to stay +at an hotel. + +To our speedy meeting, which, alas! will be a good deal clouded +for us by these various obstructions. But in Vienna it can't be +otherwise. On this account you must soon come again to Weymar, +where we can belong to ourselves. + +Heartfelt greetings in sincere friendship and loving devotion +from + +F. Liszt + +Pest, April 7th, 1858 + + + +203. To Adolf Reubke, Organ-Builder at Hausneinsdorf in the Harz. + +[Written on the death of his son Julius Reubke (died June 3rd, +1858), a favorite pupil of Liszt's.] + +Dear Sir, + +Allow me to add these few lines of deepest sympathy to the poem +by Cornelius, ["Bein Tode von Julius Reubke" ("On the Death of +Julius Reubke"). Cornelius, Poems. Leipzig, 1890.] which lends +such fitting words to our feelings of sorrow. Truly no one +could feel more deeply the loss which Art has suffered in your +Julius, than the one who has followed with admiring sympathy his +noble, constant, and successful strivings in these latter years, +and who will ever bear his friendship faithfully in mind--the one +who signs himself with great esteem + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, June 10th, 1858 + + + +204. To Prince Constantin von Hohenzollern-Hechingen + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Alexander Meyer Cohn in +Berlin.--This very musical Prince was for years Liszt's patron, +and often invited the latter to stay with him at his Silesian +residence at Lowenberg, where he kept up an orchestra.] + +Monseigneur, + +When Your Highness was kind enough to express your views to me +respecting your noble design of encouraging in an exceptional +manner the progress of musical Art, and to question me as to the +best mode of employing a certain sum of money for this object, I +think I mentioned to you Mr. Brendel, the editor of the Neue +Zeitschrift fur Musik, as the best man to make your liberal +intentions bear fruit. As much on account of the perfect +uprightness of his character, which is free from all reproach, as +for the important and continuous services which his paper and +other of his works have rendered to the good cause for many years +past, I consider Mr. Brendel entirely worthy of your confidence. + +It is not lightly that I put forward this opinion--and I venture +to flatter myself that my antecedents will be a sufficient +guarantee to Your Highness that in this matter, as in any others +in which I may have the honor of submitting any proposition to +you, I could follow no other influences, no other counsels, than +those of a scrupulous conscience. Putting aside all +considerations of vanity or personal advantage foreign to the end +in view, my sincere and sole desire is to make Your Highness's +intentions and capital the most productive possible. It is with +this view that I have openly spoken of the matter to Brendel, +whose letter, which I venture to enclose herewith, corresponds, +as it seems to me, with the programme in question. + +I venture to beg you, Monseigneur, to look into this attentively, +and to let me know whether you will grant permission to Brendel +to enter into these matters more explicitly by writing to you +direct. In the event of the propositions contained in his letter +meeting with the approval of Your Highness, as I trust they may +do, it would be desirable that you should let him know without +too much delay in what manner you would wish your kind intentions +carried out. + +In order to fulfill its task of progress, the Neue Zeitschrift +fur Musik has not spared its editor either in efforts or +sacrifices. By the fact that it represents, in a talented and +conscientious manner, the opinions and sympathies of my friends +and myself, it is in the most advanced, and consequently the most +perilous, position of our musical situation; therefore our +adversaries lose no opportunity of raising difficulties for it. + Our opinions and sympathies will he sustained, I doubt not, +by their worth and conviction; but if Your Highness condescends +to come to our aid, we shall be both proud and happy--and it is +by spreading our ideas through the Press that we can best +strengthen our position. + +In other words, I am convinced that, in granting your confidence +to Mr. Brendel, the sum that Your Highness is pleased to devote +to this matter will be employed in the most honest manner, and +that most useful to the progress of Art--and that all the honor +and gratitude which your munificence deserves will spring from +it--as is the earnest desire of him who has the honor to be, +Monseigneur, Your Highness's most devoted and humble servant, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, August 18th, 1858 + + + +205. To Frau Rosa von Milde + +[Court opera-singer in Weimar, nee Agthe; the first Elsa in +Lohengrin; a refined and poetical artist] + +Weymar, August 25th, 1858 + +My honored and dear Friend, + +If the outward circumstances which you mention in your kind +letter are not exactly of the kind that I could wish for you, yet +I am egotist enough to be much pleased at its friendly contents +towards myself. Accept my warmest thanks for them--and let me +tell you how anxious I am that you should like me very much, and +how desirous I am to deserve this--as far as it can be deserved; +for the best part of a harmonious intimacy must ever remain a +free gift. + +The "wanton, ragged garments of the Muse," which you abandon with +strict generosity, make a show and please almost everywhere. Her +sensual charm is not unknown to me; yet I think I may say that it +was given me to lay hold of a higher and a pure ideal, and to vow +to it my whole endeavors for many years past. You, dear friend, +have, through your singing, often led me to this in the best way, +without thinking of it. Moreover it always does me so much good +when we meet in unity in the same path.-- + +Owing to a heap of visits (among which were several of deep +interest, such as Kaulbach, Varnhagen, Carus, etc.), I have been +much interrupted in the completion of the "Elizabeth." Still, I +hope to be ready with it by February. You will then again do the +best part for it, and must practice works of artistic mercy!-- +What is the good of anything that is written on paper, if it is +not comprehended by the soul and imparted in a living manner?-- +But among the works of mercy I am not desirous that you should +have to bury a still-born Oratorio!-- + +My heartfelt, twofold greetings to Milde, as friend and as +artist. I am writing the part of Landgrave Ludwig for him--and, +as the Landgrave is very speedily got out of the way, I will ask +him to undertake, in addition, two other parts (those of a +Hungarian magnate and a bishop). + +The day after tomorrow I accompany the Princess to the mountains +and cascades of the Tyrol. On our return journey we shall spend a +couple of days in Munich, and shall be back here by the end of +September. Will you allow me to conduct "Alceste" on the 2nd of +October?--Sobolewski's "Comala" [Opera by Sobolewski.] is fixed +for the 12th. I shall give over to our common friend Lassen (to +whom please remember me warmly) the pianoforte rehearsals during +my absence. + +I hope you will get quite strong and enjoy yourself much at the +seaside, dear friend, and return in good spirits to us at Weymar, +where you are quite indispensable to + +Yours most truly and devotedly, F. Liszt + +P.S.--Possibly Fraulein * * * (whose name at this moment I +forget) will come from Berlin to Weymar during my absence. I +recommend her again to Milde and yourself. Preller will introduce +her to you, and I beg that Milde will help her with good +teaching. If I am not mistaken, she would stand proof well in +mezzo-soprano parts. + +I have trustworthy tidings of the brilliant success of the first +performance of "Lohengrin" in Vienna (on the 19th of this month). +Rienzi was also taken up again in these days as before. + + + +206. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear honored Friend, + +The memorandum is excellent, and I agree with it in all points. I +have noted this, according to your wish, at the end by the words +vu et approuve [Seen and approved.] (a perfectly correct formula +in French). The Prince's address is as follows:-- + +To His Highness Prince Constantin Hohenzollern-Hechingen, +Lowenberg, Silesia. I should not be able for the present to find +you a Paris correspondent. But, as I understand, Bülow intends to +go to Paris in the course of this winter, and would then be best +able to tell you of a colleague there. There is no hurry about +the article on theater curtains. As soon as I am somewhat through +the mass of arrears in correspondence I will take an opportunity +of sending it to you, but whether it will be in time to appear in +the first number of the "Anregungen" I cannot say. + +I told Pohl yesterday that I wish the Dresden Weber concerto +affair in the meantime not to be mentioned in the paper. The +whole affair has for the moment made an extraordinary stir, and I +will tell you about it later on. For the present there is nothing +to be said about it on our side, even if other papers mix +themselves up in it in an incompetent manner. Very likely the +winter will slip away before the intended concert comes off. [The +Dresden theater directors intended, as M. M. v. Weber tells us in +his biography of his father (vol. ii., p. 721), to arrange a +concert for the benefit of the Weber Memorial which was to be +erected. Liszt was equally desirous of doing something publicly +for the Master whom he so highly esteemed; but "because they +could not agree whether he should take part in the directors' +concert or use the personnel of the Royal Opera at his own +concert, neither of the concerts was given."] + +Sobolewski (who has been detained this time by his theater work +in Bremen) will come here for the second performance of "Comala". +I will let you know about it. + +The work is worth your hearing and interesting yourself in. Owing +to the acting of the two Schmidts (husband and wife), as guests +here, ["Das Gastspiel"--the playing as guests at a theater--is an +expression used when actors or singers other than those attached +to the theater of the place come to act or sing there for a time] +the second performance has been postponed until towards the +middle of this month. + +I will send Riedel the pianoforte edition of my Mass very +shortly. + +With heartfelt greetings, + +Yours, + +F. Liszt + +November 2nd, 1858 + + + +207. To Johann von Herbeck + +Dear Friend, + +Your three splendid fellows, my high-minded and honorable +gipsies, ["Die drei Zigeuner" ("The Three Gipsies"), by Lenau, +for voice with pianoforte accompaniment.] are most excellently +lodged on the Altenburg. First of all the song was played on the +violin, then with cello--another time I tried it alone, and +yesterday Caspari sang me the song, so full of pith and beauty +and intrinsic worth, to the delight of us all and of myself in +particular. It will remain as a brilliant repertoire piece +amongst us, and I shall very soon introduce it to Tichatschek, +who will assuredly give it with inspiration and will make it +widely known. Please forgive me, dear friend, for not having +expressed my warm thanks to you sooner.--I only got home a few +weeks ago from my journey to the Tyrol and Munich, and have +scarcely been able to sit down to write, owing to all the +business pressing upon me from every side. If Lessing says "One +must not must," nevertheless the saying of Kladderadatsch, "Bien +muss," ["The bee must"--referring to a joke in the German Punch +(Kladderadatsch).] is, for ordinary mortals, much more +applicable--and over this "bee must" one at last becomes quite +idle from sheer weariness. + +I will take the first opportunity of sending you your manuscript +of the score of the Mass for men's voices to Vienna. The Gloria, +which was performed at the University Jubilee Festival of Jena +last August, was made most effective by your excellent +instrumentation. You will observe a slight alteration at the +conclusion (six bars instead of five, and a slightly less risky +modulation), which I beg you to follow at any performance there +may chance to be in Vienna. + +As regards the choruses to "Prometheus," I confess to you +candidly that, much as I thank you for thinking about them, I +think it is wiser to wait a little bit. I am not in the slightest +hurry to force myself on to the public, and can quietly let a +little more of the nonsense about my failure in attempts at +composition be spread abroad. Only in so far as I am able to do +something lasting may I place some modest value upon it. This can +and will be decided by time alone. But I should not wish +previously to impose on any of my friends the disagreeables which +the performance of my works, with the widespread presuppositions +and prejudices against them, brings with it. In a few years I +hope things will go better, more rationally, and more justly with +musical matters. + +Until then we will go forward composedly and contemplatively on +our way! Once more best thanks and greetings from yours in all +friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, November 22nd (St. Cecilia's Day), 1858 + + + +208. To Felix Draseke + +My very dear Friend, + +Herewith the piano edition of the two first acts of "Sigurd." +[Opera by Draseke.]--Imagining that you may also want the score +of the first act, which had remained here, I send it also, sorry +as I am to part from this monumental work. Under present existing +circumstances, which on my side are passive and negative, as I +intimated to you after the performance of Cornelius's Opera, +there is no prospect of putting Sigurd on the boards at present. +But I promise myself the pleasure and satisfaction of letting all +your "Tamtis" and "Beckis" be heard, when I have again resumed my +active work at the Weymar theater, for which there may probably +be an opportunity next season. + +After you left Weymar we had to swallow a kind of second piece or +supplement to the performance of the "Barber of Baghdad," on +occasion of Madame Viardot's performance as "guest" here. But I +will not weary you with tales of our local miseries and crass +improprieties. I will only intimate thus much--that, under the +present Intendant régime, to my sorrow, the inviting of Frau +Schroder-Devrient to play here as guest is met by almost +unconquerable difficulties from within. Tell our excellent friend +Bronsart this, and tell him into the bargain that a concert (in +the room in the Town Hall), at which he and Frau Schroder- +Devrient should appear without any other assistance, would +certainly be very welcome to the public, and I should look upon +this as in any case a practical introduction to the performance +as guest. This matter lies outside my present sway, but it goes +without saying that I will not fail to let my slight influence +towards a favorable solution of the matter be felt.-- + +The day before yesterday I heard at Gotha your countryman's new +opera (Diana von Solange) for the second time. The work was +received with great approval, and is shortly to be given in +Dresden, where you will be best able to judge of it. Mitterwurzer +and Frau Ney have some very effective moments in it. + +The concerts of the joint Weymar and Gotha orchestras (a matter +which I broached long ago) again came under discussion, and +possibly this March an attempt will be made to set them going. +Meanwhile let us look after our cordial [Magen-Starkung] "mentre +che il danno e la vergogna dura," ["Whilst prejudice and shame +last."] as Michael Angelo says.-- + +Friendly greetings from your faithful and devoted + +F. Liszt + +January 12th, 1859 + +Will you give the enclosed letter to Bronsart? + + + +209. To Heinrich Porges In Prague + +[Now Royal music-director and conductor of a first-rate Gesang- +verein [vocal union] in Munich, where he has lived since 1867. +Born 1837. Is also a writer on music.] + +Dear Sir and Friend, + +Owing to your affectionate understanding of what I have striven +after in the "Dante Symphony" and the "Ideale", you have a +special right to both works. Allow me to offer them to you as a +token of my sincere attachment, as also of the grateful +remembrance which I keep of the Prague performance. [At Porges' +initiative the medical students had invited Liszt, in 1858, to a +concert, at which his Dante Symphony and the Icdeale were given. +In 1859 Bulow was also invited at Porges' inducement.] Taking +your kindness for granted, I beg you to give the other two copies +to Herr Professor Mildner and Herr Dr. Ambros with my best +thanks. + +It is to be hoped that this year's "Medical" Concert will have +favorable results. My valiant son-in-law, H. von Bulow, cannot +fail to be recognized among you as an eminent musician and noble +character. I thank you and Herr Musil (to whom I beg you to +remember me most kindly) for offering Bülow this opportunity of +doing something in Prague.--There is no doubt that he will +fulfill all your expectations. + +For the next "Medical" Concert I willingly place myself at your +disposal. Possibly we might on this occasion venture on the +Symphonic Poem No. I "Ce qu'on entered sur la Montagne"--the +chorus "An die Kunstler," and the "Faust Symphony?"--The +respected medical men would thus take the initiative in the new +musical pathology!-- + +For the Tonkunstler-Versammlung, etc. [Meeting of Musicians], in +Leipzig at the beginning of June Dr. Brendel is expecting you, +and I rejoice at the thought of meeting you again there. If the +affair is not too much hampered in its natural course by local +miseries and malevolence, it may do much for the bettering of our +suffering musical position. In any case we will not fail in doing +our part towards it. + +With highest esteem, yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 10th, 1859 + + + +210. To Capellmeister Max Seifriz in Lowenberg + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Alexander Meyer Cohn in +Berlin.] + +Dear Friend, + +I feel the most heartfelt sympathy with you in your sad days at +Lowenberg, and trust with you that they will not last much +longer. When there is a suitable opportunity, express to our +Prince my heartfelt, grateful devotion. Then tell me quite openly +and candidly whether my visit to Lowenberg, in the course of next +month, will be welcome and will make no trouble. I had planned to +spend the Easter week there, and only await preliminary tidings +from you to announce myself by letter to His Highness. Dr. +Brendel wished at the same time to pay his respects to the +Prince. The press of work upon him just now especially will only +allow him to stay a couple of days with you; but I for my part, +if I am assured that my visit will not come inopportunely, should +like to prolong my stay a little. Perhaps, as you are so kindly +intending to invite Damrosch, it might be arranged for him to +come at the same time. It would be a great pleasure to me to see +the valiant friend and comrade in Art again with you. + +I give you once more my best thanks for the kind attention which +you have caused to be bestowed on my works. The many attacks on +me which I have to bear enhance still more the value I place on +the sympathy and concurrence of my friends. + +By today's post I send you the scores of the Dante Symphony, the +"Ideale," and the Goethe March, which have just come out--the +former merely to read through (as a memento of the Dresden +performance, which served as a rehearsal to me, after which +several alterations in the score occurred to me)-but the other +two might not be wholly unsuitable for a performance with your +gallant orchestra, to whom I beg you to remember me most kindly. + +May the things be welcome to you, dear friend, as a token of the +very high esteem of + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, March 22nd, 1859 + + + +211. To Eduard Liszt + +Warmest thanks for all you have done, said, and felt, dearest +Eduard. I hope that I am only going a few steps in front of you, +and that in a couple of years the same distinction will fall to +your lot, in which I shall then have the same pleasure as is +granted to you today. [This would be the bestowing of the title +of nobility on Liszt, who, however, as is well known, never used +it.] + +Herewith my letter of thanks to S. E. von Bach. [Austrian +Minister of the Interior.] Perhaps you would think it well to +deliver the letter yourself. Take the opportunity of remembering +me to Wurzbach, who has always been most friendly to me. I will +write to Daniel one of these next days. The Princess goes +tomorrow to Munich, where Kaulbach is painting the portrait of +Princess Marie. On the 30th of this month I again make a visit to +Prince Hohenzollern at Lowenberg (Shlesia), and shall then soon +take up my quarters at Leipzig, where we shall have to live +through some rather warm days on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd June. For +the rest there are good prospects for us there; and, even if +dishonesty and malevolence make the utmost exertions (as we may +expect they will do), this can do us but very little injury +(where it does not help us). + +You have possibly already heard that the Schiller Festival in +Weymar has been frustrated by the imprudence of Dingelstedt. In +spite of that I am composing the Introduction to the Festival by +Halm, which may find its use here or elsewhere. With heartfelt +thanks and greetings, your + +F. Liszt + +[Weimar,] April 5th, 1859 + + + +212. To N. N., Music-Director at Weimer + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Gille, Privy Councillor in +Jena.] + +Dear Herr Music-Director, + +I learn today by chance of the measures which have been taken a +posteriori against the concert conducted and arranged by Herr +Gotze [Carl Gotze, chorister, afterwards music-director.] and +sincerely regret that a Weimar music-director and Weymar Court +musician could deem such a thing suitable. + +I, with my exceptional and only occasional dealings with the +orchestra here, can only draw your attention to the fact of how +deplorably such occurrences run counter to a nice feeling of +decorum, and still more to the nobler artist feeling. + +With compliments, + +F. Liszt + +April 17th, 1859 + + + +213. To Peter Cornelius In Vienna Weymar + +May 23rd, 1859 + +Dearest Friend, + +I learn with joy from your letter (which has just crossed mine +from Lowenberg), that things are going well and comfortably with +you in Vienna. It is easy to see that your stay there, when once +you have made a firm footing, will become very advantageous--and +whatever I can do towards helping this you may be sure I shall +do. Herewith a few lines for Herr von Villers, Secretary of the +Saxon Embassy (where you will learn his address). He is one of my +older friends who has remained very dear to me. In his refined +poetic and musical feeling many kindred tones will sound for you. +Tell him all about Weymar and play him something from the +"Barbier". [Cornelius' Opera] Although he lives somewhat a part, +he can prove himself agreeable to you in many things,--firstly, +by his own personal intercourse--and then also by his relations +with Baron Stockhausen (the Hanoverian Ambassador), at whose +house there is frequently really good music, etc.--Don't delay, +therefore, looking up Villers. + +For today I must beg you also to get the Prologue for the Leipzig +days [The Leipzig Tonkunstler-Versammlung (Meeting of Musicians), +from which the Allgemeine Deutsche Musikverein (Universal German +Musical Society) sprang] ready as quickly as possible. I shall +settle down at the end of this week (Saturday) in Leipzig--Hotel +de Pologne. It would be very good of you if you could send me the +Prologue to Leipzig within eight days. Address to Brendel, +Mittelstrasse, 24. I still do not possess a single copy of my +Mass, because I sent on the two or three that had been previously +sent to me at once to M[usic]-D[irector] Riedel for studying the +work. But my cousin, Dr. Eduard Liszt, will certainly be +delighted to give you your copy at once. You have only to tell +Daniel to bring it to you, if you have not time to call on +Eduard. + +Frau von Milde, Bulow, Bronsart, Draseke, Lassen, etc., etc., +etc., are coming to Leipzig from Monday, 30th May, until Sunday, +4th June. You must not fail us, dearest friend, and we await you +with open arms and loving hearts. Your + +F. Liszt + +The Princess stays a little longer in Munich, and will not get to +Leipzig till towards the end of this month. Remember me most +respectfully and warmly to Hebbel. + +Best greetings to Catinelli. + +Once more, please send the "Prologue". + + + +214. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr A.O. Schulz, bookseller in +Leipzig.] + +Herewith is an answer to the nine points of your letter of today, +my dear friend [Referring to the Tonkunstler-Versammlung in +Leipzig, in June, 1859]. + +1. The Mildes have got leave of absence from Monday, 30th April, +till Friday, 3rd June, inclusive. Your programme remains as +already fixed. Duet from the "Flying Dutchman", "Cellini Aria", +Songs by Franz and Schumann (etc. ad libitum). + +2. I will bring all the orchestral parts that there are with me, +or, better still, I will send you the whole lot tomorrow. For +"Tasso" the whole set is complete--but for the "Duet" from the +"Dutchman", and the "Cellini Aria" and "Overture" a couple of +copies of the quartet will have to be written out afresh in +Leipzig. + +3. I do not possess the "Overture to the Corsair" [By Berlioz] +(and would not recommend it for performance), and the "Prelude to +Tristan" Bülow will see after. + +4. I expect more particulars from Bülow in the course of the +week. + +5. I am writing today to Cornelius about the Prologue affair. + +6. Herewith is the German text of the Mass,[Lizst's "Gran +Festival Mass."] which is to be printed in Leipzig in the same +manner as in Vienna--namely, with the addition of the Latin text- +-and which belongs to the General Programme of the Festival. +This programme we will settle and revise together next Sunday. + +7. Leave of absence for Frau Pohl will be attended to. + +8. I reserve to myself the matter of deciding on what pianists +shall accompany the Ballads, and undertake the piano part of the +"Trios" that are to be given. If possible I want Bronsart to take +a part in it. + +9. I will send off the definite invitations to the nobility next +Sunday (at latest) from Leipzig to Gotha and Meiningen. I am +coming to you on Saturday afternoon, 21st May [Must be 28th May, +as the letter is dated the 23rd], and shall then stay in Leipzig +till the end of the Festival. For the present a suitable room +(without sitting-room) will satisfy me, and I beg you to bespeak +this for me in the Hotel de Pologne for Saturday. My ministering +spirit should have his room close to mine, because looking for +him and calling is highly disagreeable to me. + +Goodbye till Saturday. Your + +F. Liszt + +Monday, May 23rd, 1859 + +P.S.--The performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" (for the Handel +Festival) is announced here for next Wednesday, 25th May. +Tomorrow, Tuesday, there will be a similar Handel celebration in +Erfurt with a performance of the "Messiah." Frau von Milde will +sing the soprano part there. Let Pohl know this--perhaps he may +like to hear "Judas." + +The rehearsals of Rietz's little Opera are in progress, and +Pasque (who has written the libretto for it) told me yesterday +that the first performance will take place next week. Probably +Rietz will undertake to conduct it, as I proposed. + + + +215. To Felix Draseke + +Where, my dear, excellent friend, have you got hold of the +extraordinary idea that I could be angry with you? How to begin +such a thing I really should not know. You are far too good and +dear to me for me not to remain good to you also in all things!-- +Herewith are a few lines for Wagner, which however you don't in +the least need. I am glad that you are not putting off this +journey any longer. But before you set out WRITE to Wagner (you +can add my lines to your letter extra), and inquire whether he +will be staying at Lucerne still, so that your Swiss pilgrimage +may not be in vain.--You will be certain to get an answer from +Wagner by return of post, and will thus be sure of your object. + +Schuberth tells me that "King Helge" will ride into his shop +almost immediately...to Sigrun, the ever blooming delicious +sorrow!--How scornfully, "without greeting or thanks," will "King +Helge" look down upon all the other wares in Schuberth's shop. +Somewhat as the hippopotamus looks on toads and frogs.--But it is +quite right to let the Ballade come out, and I am impatiently +awaiting my copy.--[Liszt subsequently formed out of Draseke's +song the melodrama of the same name.] + +I hope it may be possible for me to come to Lucerne at the end of +August. But send some tidings of yourself before then to + +Your sincere and faithful + +F. Liszt + +[Weimar,] July 19th, 1859 + + + +216. To Peter Cornelius in Vienna + +Dearest Friend, + +You are quite right in setting store upon the choice and putting +together of the three Sonatas. The idea is an excellent one, and +you may rest assured of my readiness to help in the realization +of your intention as well as of my silence until it is quite a +settled thing. If Bronsart could decide on going to Vienna, his +cooperation in that matter would certainly be very desirable. +Write about it to him at Dantzig, where he is now staying with +his father (Commandant-General of Dantzig). Tausig, who is +spending some weeks at Bad Grafenberg (with Her Highness the +Princess von Hatzfeld), would also adapt the thing well, and +would probably be able to meet your views better than you seem to +imagine. As regards Dietrich, I almost fear that he does not +possess sufficient brilliancy for Vienna--but this might, under +certain circumstances, be an advantage. He plays Op. 106 and the +Schumann Sonata capitally--as also the "Invitation to hissing and +stamping," as Gumprecht designates that work of ill odor--my +Sonata. Dietrich is always to be found in the house of Prince +Thurn and Taxis at Ratisbon. He will assuredly enter into your +project with pleasure and enthusiasm, and the small distance from +Ratisbon makes it not too difficult for him. You would only have +to arrange it so that the lectures come quickly one after the +other. + +Where Sasch Winterberger is hiding I have not heard. Presupposing +many things, he might equally serve your purpose. + +In order to save you time and trouble, I will send you by the +next opportunity your analysis of my Sonata, which you left +behind you at the Altenburg. + +Draseke is coming very shortly through Weymar from Lucerne. I +will tell him your wish in confidence. It is very possible that +he would like to go to Vienna for a time. I have not the +slightest doubt as to the success of your lectures, in +conjunction with the musical performance of the works.--I would +merely advise you to put into your programme works which are +universally known--as, for instance, several Bach Fugues (from +"Das wohltemperierte Clavier"), the Ninth Symphony, the grand +Masses of Beethoven and Bach, which you have so closely studied, +etc. [The proposed lectures did not come off.] + +Well, all this will come about by degrees. First of all a +beginning must be made, and this will be quite a brilliant one +with the three Sonatas. Later on we will muster Quartets, +Symphonies, Masses, and Operas all in due course! + +A propos of operas, how are you getting on with the "Barbier" and +the publication of the pianoforte edition? Schuberth told me for +certain that printing would begin directly they had received the +manuscripts. Don't delay too long, dearest friend--and believe me +when I once more assure you that the work is as eminent as the +intrigue, to which it momentarily succumbed, was mean-spirited. + +Schuberth has no doubt told you that I want to make a +transcription of the Salamaleikum. But don't forget that another +Overture is inevitably NECESSARY, in spite of the refined, +masterly counterpoint and ornamentation of the first. The +principal subject + +[Figure: Musical example of the principal subject.] + +must begin, and the "Salamaleikum" end it. If possible, bring in +the two motives together a little (at the end). In case you +should not be disposed to write the thing I will do it for you +with pleasure--but first send me the complete piano edition for +Schuberth. The new Opera can then afford to wait a while, like a +"good thing"--only may weariness at it remain long absent +[Untranslatable play on the words Weile and Langeweile]!--In +order that you may not have a fit of it in reading this letter, I +will at once name to you the magic name of Rosa [Rosa von Milde, +the artist and friend of Cornelius, who wrote poetry upon her]... + +In consequence of an insinuating intimation of our mutual +patroness, I have still to add the excuses of our good friend +Brendel to you. When I have an opportunity I will tell you in +person about the Prologue disturbances at the Leipzig Tonkunstler +Versammlung. Pohl had also supplied one--but the choice was given +over to Frau Ritter, and she chose her good "Stern," whose +prologue was indeed quite successful and made a good effect. But +oblige me by not bearing any grudge against Brendel, and let us +always highly respect the author of "Liszt as a Symphonic +Writer"!-- + +A thousand heartfelt greetings from your faithful + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, August 23rd, 1859 + +Princess Marie will thank you herself for the Sonnet, and at the +same time tell you about the musical performances of the 15th +August. Lassen's song, "Ave Maria," of which you gave him the +poem long ago, was especially successful. The Quartet: + +"Elfen, die kleinen, +Wollen dich grussen, +Wollen erscheinen +Zu deinen Fussen" + +["Elfin world greeting +To thee is sending, +Fairy forms lowly +At thy feet bending."] + +composed by Lassen), and + +"Wandelnde Blume, athmender Stern, +Duftende Bluthe am Baum des Lebens" + +["Swift-changing flowers, pulsating star, +Sweet-scented blossoms on life's living tree."] + +(composed by Damrosch), which we had sung together two years ago, +rejoiced us anew and most truly this time. + + + +217. To Dr Franz Brendel + +[In this letter, the programme refers to some theater concerts, +which were to be arranged according to Brendel's design. The +sketch was as follows:-- + +"1st Concert: Paradise and the Peri. +2nd Concert: Eroica, Prometheus. +3rd Concert: Overture of Wagner. Solo (Bronsart). Overture of + Beethoven. + 2nd part: L'enfance du Christ of Berlioz. +4th Concert: Festival Song of Liszt. Solo. Draseke. Chorus for + men's voices from his Opera. + 2nd part: Walpurgisnacht of Mendelssohn. +5th Concert: Overture of Berlioz, Wagner, or Beethoven. + Solo. Preludes. + 2nd part: Manfred. +6th Concert: Overture. Solo. Tasso. + 2nd part: B-flat major Symphony." + +To this Liszt adds, besides some remarks about getting the parts for +No. 5: + +"An orchestral work of Hans von Bulow (possibly the Caesar Overture) +would be suitable for this concert. I would also recommend that +Bronsart's "Fruhlings-Phantasie" ["Spring Fancy"] should be included in +one of the programmes. + +"Of Berlioz' works I should recommend the following as the most +acceptable for performance:-- + +"The festival at Capulet's house (Romeo), +The Pilgrims' March (from Harold), +Chorus and Dance of Sylphs (Faust), +Terzet and Chorus (from Cellini), with the artists' oath, +Overture to Lear. + +"N.B.--We can bring out the Terzet from Cellini at the next +Tonkunstler-Versammlung. It is a very important and effective piece."] + +Dear Friend, + +The sketch for your programme is excellent, and if I have some +doubts as to the entire project, yet your proposed programme +seems to me in any case the most suitable, both as regards choice +of works and their order and grouping. With regard to the doubts +which I have so often mentioned I will only make the general +remark that a competition with the Gewandhaus in Leipzig brings a +good deal of risk with it, and for this winter a passive attitude +on our side would not specially injure our cause (at least not +according to my opinion). Whether Wirsing and Riccius will be +able to give the requisite support to the theater concerts, or +are willing to do so, I cannot undertake to say, as the ground of +Leipzig lies in many ways too far removed from me. In this I rely +entirely on your insight and circumspection, dear friend. In case +you end by deciding in the affirmative I will willingly do +something to help--as, for instance, to undertake the conducting +of the "Prometheus." I would rather not let myself in for much +more than that, because conductings in general become more +burdensome to me every year, and I don't in the least desire to +offer further active resistance to the ill-repute with which I am +credited as a conductor. Indeed I owe my friend Dingelstedt many +thanks for having (without perhaps exactly desiring to do so) +given me the chance of freeing myself from the operatic time- +beating here, and I am firmly resolved not to wield the baton +elsewhere except in the most unavoidable cases! Bülow must now +often mount the conductor's desk. He has the mind, liking, +talent, and vocation for this. If the theater concerts should be +arranged, be sure to secure his frequent co-operation. He will +certainly bring new life into the whole affair, and possesses the +necessary amount of experience and aplomb, [Employed in French by +Liszt] to be their solid representative. + +I have just written to Klitzsch [Music-conductor at Zwickau] and +promised him to conduct the "Prometheus" in Zwickau. The concert +will take place at the end of October (perhaps on my birthday, +the 22nd). Although you have heard the Prometheus choruses in +Dresden, I wish very much that you could come to Zwickau this +time. I have again worked most carefully at it, have amplified +some things, and have arranged others in a simple and more +singable manner, etc. Now I hope that it will thoroughly hold its +ground and stand the test of proof. So do come to Zwickau. + +I have still one more request to make to you today, dear friend. +P. Lohmann [A music colleague of the Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik, +living in Leipzig] was so kind as to send me his drama some weeks +ago. I have read The Victory of Love with much interest, but I +have not yet been able to get so far as the other, and as little +have I been able to express my thanks to him in writing. Kindly +undertake my excuses to him, and tell him that I am exceedingly +obliged by his letter and what he sent me. On the occasion of my +journey to Zwickau I will call on Lohmann in Leipzig, and tell +him personally what an impression his dramas make on me. I +specially take notice of his article in the paper. + +I thank you most truly for the kindness which you have shown to +B. He is in many things somewhat awkward, impractical--and almost +looks as though he could not devote himself to any productive and +consistently carried-out form of activity. None the less is there +in him a certain capacity and worth which, in a somewhat more +regular position than he has yet been able to attain, would make +him appear worth more. A more frequent application of a few +utensils such as soak tooth-brush, and nail brush might also be +recommended to him!--I expect much good to result from your +influence on B.'s further work and fortunes, and hope that your +store of patience will not be too sorely tried by him. + +With heartfelt greetings, your + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 2nd, 1859 + +Herewith the programme scheme with two or three little remarks +appended. Weigh again the pros and cons of the matter, and keep +the right balance between the risk and the possible gain. Motto: +"First weigh, then risk it!"--[The nearest English equivalent +seems to be "Look before you leap." + +.--. I have had so much of notes [musical] to write lately that +my writing of letters [of the alphabet] has got still worse. But +where you can't read what I have written, you can guess it all +the easier.-- + + + +218. To Louis Koehler + +Dear Friend, + +Your letter was a real joy to me, for which I thank you heartily. +You are far too honorable, brave, and admirable a musician for +our paths to remain long sundered. For the very reason that +people cannot (as you so wittily remark) immediately "label and +catalogue me correctly and place me in an already existing +drawer," I am in hopes that my efforts and working will +eventually prove in accordance with the spirit of the time, and +will fructify. I promise you also that I am not wanting in pains +and labour in honor of my friends. But I certainly cannot +recognize weaklings and cowards as such. It is only with high- +minded, brave, and trusty comrades that we move forwards, no +matter though the number remain small. In matters of intelligence +the majority always follows the minority, when the latter is +sufficiently strong to hold its own.--Welcome, therefore, dear +friend, welcome most truly. If there is still a lot of scandal +which we have to bear quietly and without mortification, we will +by no means let ourselves be confounded by it! + +I have written at once to Hartel to send you the arrangements for +two pianofortes of the Symphonic Poems that you wished for. But +there is a better way for the scores than that of a bookseller. +Fraulein Ingeborg Stark is going to St. Petersburg on the 20th of +this month, and will stay a day in Konigsberg. She will bring you +the Dante Symphony, etc., and if there should be an opportunity +she will play the things through with Bronsart (who is also going +to Konigsberg at the same time). I have grown very much attached +to Fraulein Stark, as hers is a very particularly gifted artistic +nature. The same will happen to you if you hear her striking +Sonata. Ingeborg composes all sorts of Fugues, Toccatas, etc., +into the bargain. I remarked to her lately that she did not look +a bit like that. "Well, I am quite satisfied not to have a fugue +countenance," was her striking answer. + +The Pohls are both still in Baden-Baden (whence I hear the +excerpts from Berlioz' manuscript opera Les Troyens [The Trojans] +spoken of with enthusiasm). Madame Viardot sang a grand scena and +a duet from it in the concert conducted by Berlioz--and Fraulein +Emilie Genast is staying a couple of weeks longer with her sister +Frau Raff in Wiesbaden. On her return I will give her your +greetings, and Emilie will certainly be glad to make known the +concert song which you mention to her. In her performance a +beautiful and sympathetic "melody of speech" is reflected. As I +write this word I can't help at the same time wishing that you +may find in my "Gesammelte Lieder" something that appeals to your +feelings, which you have so cleverly represented in the "melody +of speech." You will receive a proof-copy of the six numbers at +the same time as the Dante Symphony. I wanted to dedicate the +last number, "Ich mochte hingehn" (poem by Herwegh), specially to +you, and when next you have occasion to come to Weymar, I will +look for the manuscript for you on which your name is put. But as +I have left out all other dedications in this complete edition, I +propose to dedicate something else to you later--probably some +bigger and longer work. + +A Ballade of Draeseke's--"Koenig Helge"--has just appeared, which +pleases me extremely. You must look closely into this wonderful +Opus 1. + +In conclusion one more request, dear friend. Do me the kindness +to be perfectly free and open and regardless of consequences in +the discussion of my works. Do not imagine that the slightest +vanity comes over me or impels me. I have long ago done with all +that sort of thing. So long as you allow that I possess the +necessary musical equipments to create freely in Art, as I gather +from your letter that you do, I can but be grateful to you for +all else, even were it severe blame. I have often expressed my +opinion to my friends that, even if all my compositions failed to +succeed (which I neither affirm nor deny), they would not on that +account be quite without their use, owing to the stir and impetus +which they would give to the further development of Art. This +consciousness so completely satisfies me that I can consistently +persevere and go on composing. + +With all respect and attachment I remain, + +Yours most sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 3rd, 1859 + +If the Koenigsberg Academy does not take alarm at my name (as has +indeed been the case in other places, owing to the foolish +prattle of the critics), they might try the "Prometheus" choruses +there by-and-by. They are to be given almost directly (at the end +of October) at Zwickau, and probably later on in Leipzig, where I +shall then also have them published. + +In the matters of the prize-subject we will wait and see what +comes. You very justly remark that it hinges now upon enharmony. + +It is a pity that you do not bring something. Perhaps you will +still find time to do so. + + + +219. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +I beg you to send me by return of post a copy of the intricate +biography ("Liszt's Life and Work"--if I am not mistaken) by +Gustav Schilling. Siegel and Stoll in Leipzig have taken the work +from the Stuttgart publisher, and there will surely be some way +of getting a copy in Leipzig. Ask Kahnt to be so good as to see +after one and to send it me immediately by post, for I require +the work in connection with a special and pressing question which +I can best answer by a quotation from Schilling's book. + +With friendliest greetings, your + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, September 8th, 1859 + +Why does not Schuberth send me my dedicatory copy of Draeseke's +Ballade "Koenig Helge"? + + + +220. To Johann von Herbeck + +Dear Friend, + +Warmest thanks for your persevering and well-wishing sympathy. It +is a great pleasure to me that you are bringing about the +performance of the Mass for men's voices on the 23rd October, and +I hope that, as you have once "made your way through it," we +shall also not succeed ill. + +The "sneaking brood" (as you well name the people) can henceforth +growl as much as they like. What does that matter to us, so long +as we remain true and faithful to our task? In the performance +last year at Jena (at the secular celebration of the University) +I had the opportunity of convincing myself how capital your +instrumentation of the Mass sounds, and I especially beg that you +will not leave out one iota of it in the oboes or trombones. The +organ alone is not sufficient, especially if there is a large +chorus, and the completion of the accompaniment could not have +been better accomplished than you have done it. + +N.B.--At the Jena performance I hit upon the following +alterations at the conclusion of the Gloria: + +[Here, Liszt illustrates with a vocal score musical excerpt] + +If you are agreed with this, then let this simplification serve +for Vienna. I can only send you the score and parts of the +"Prometheus" choruses towards the middle of November, as Klitzsch +(in Zwickau) has arranged a performance of this work on the 12th +to the 14th November, and I have already placed the parts at his +disposal. If this delay does not hinder your kind intention of +having the "Prometheus" choruses performed in Vienna, I will send +the whole packet of parts to your address in Vienna, free, +immediately after the Zwickau Concert. For the poem belonging to +it, which I will also send with the rest, it is desirable that +you should get an adequate tragic declaimer. In Dresden Davison +undertook this, and in Zwickau Frau Ritter will declaim it. I am +writing today to Herr von Bulow, but rather doubt whether he will +be able to accept your invitation for this winter. According to +what he told me lately, he thinks of going to Warsaw and Paris in +the latter part of the winter. With regard to the eventual choice +of a piece you may, moreover, pacify the strict gentlemen of the +Committee. In case Bulow should make his appearance at the +Philharmonic Concert he will, on my advice, not play my A major +Concerto (nor any other composition of mine), but just simply one +of the Bach or Beethoven Concertos. My intimate friends know +perfectly well that it is not by any means my desire to push +myself into any concert programme whatever...With regard to the +scores and parts that you want, I have noted on a separate sheet +which ones I have at my disposal, and where you can obtain the +rest. In conclusion allow me once more to beg you kindly to let +me have a couple of lines about the performance of the Mass. +Perhaps some things may occur to you which might still be altered +and simplified. Do not deprive me, dear friend, of your good +advice, which I shall be glad to make use of in the score edition +of the Mass which must shortly ensue. Naturally your name will +stand on the title-page, and the responsibility of the +instrumentation will be remitted to you. + +With friendly thanks and highest regard, I am + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, October 11th, 1859 + + + +221. To Felix Draseke + +Dear excellent friend, + +Your surmise that I could not go away from Weymar at present was +quite correct. The Altenburg is indeed very deserted, as Princess +Marie went away directly after her marriage on the 15th October, +and the Princess went to Paris yesterday for several days--yet I +will not leave my own hearth so soon, even if my outward activity +be much limited henceforth (as I have already intimated to you) +both here and elsewhere.--I require my whole time for my further +works, which must go on incessantly--consequently I have resolved +to keep at a distance all the delights of conductorship, and to +give the baton a rest equally with the piano.-- + +On the 9th November the festival play by Halm, "A Hundred Years +Ago," will be given here with the music I have composed to it-- +and on the 11th the "Kuenstler-Chor" is to introduce the +Festival-oration by Kuno Fischer at Jena. Damrosch writes to me +also from Berlin that he intends to include the "Kuenstler-Chor" +in the programme of the Schiller Festival there. The Zwickau +Concert is fixed for the 15th November--and I am delighted to +think of meeting the Ritters there. By the way, I am of opinion +that Sasch [Sasch, i.e., Alexander, Ritter's Christian name] will +undertake two numbers of the programme, and will fulfill +Klitzsch's wish with the "Chaconne" as well as mine with the +original Concerto, on the same evening. Zwickau chances to belong +to the few towns where the "Chaconne" (so Klitzsch writes me +word) has never been heard in public. Sasch can take this fact +into consideration, and without doing anything derogatory can +grant the public the enjoyment of the "Chaconne." The assured +success which he will have with it may also act beneficially on +the receptiveness of the audience in connection with his +Concerto. Tell our dear friend this, with the proviso that, if he +only undertakes one number on the programme, I advise him in any +case to choose his Concerto. The piece has much that is +interesting and effective in itself, and it will be useful to +Sasch to test the relation of the orchestra to the solo part by a +public production. If necessary, therefore, force him to do it, +by my order. + +With regard to the causes and excuses for your pretended +"obstinacy, dogmatism," and imaginary "arrogance," I beg you, +dearest friend, to rest assured that you will never find any such +suspicion in me. What you think, feel, compose, is noble and +great--therefore I take a sympathetic interest in it.--The next +time we are together I will merely endeavour to make "amputation" +more bearable to you by chloroform!-- + +With highest esteem I remain, + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +[Weimar,] October 20th, 1859 + + + +222. To Heinrich Porges in Prague. + +Dear Friend, + +Your letter for the 22nd October gave me heartfelt pleasure, and +you need not be in doubt as to the correctness of the +affectionate and deep perception of my endeavour, which "has +proceeded both from man's need of freedom as well as of love," +and which, by and with the grace of God, has been impelled to +raise itself toward the "Divine."--I cannot say much on this +subject; but may my works only remain no dumb witnesses, and may +your intimate understanding of them give you some satisfaction. + +I send you herewith Dingelstedt's Festal Song for the Schiller +Celebration, which I have purposely composed in a very simple, +national manner. Perhaps there might be an opportunity of +bringing the thing to a hearing during the Schiller Festival in +Prague. Will you ask Apt whether he would be disposed to do it? +The studying of it would not give the least trouble. It requires +only a baritone or bass for the solo part, and an ordinary chorus +of men's voices without any accompaniment.-- + +Leaving it entirely in your hands to act about it as you may +think best, and either to promote the performance or to let it +alone, I remain, with best thanks and high esteem, + +Yours very truly, + +F. Liszt + +October 30th, 1859 + +My composition to Halm's festival play has been sent through H. +von Dingelstedt to Herr Thome, and will probably be performed on +the 9th or 10th November. [The festival play was given in Prague +under the theater conductor Thome. The music to it was never +published. The Weimar archives probably possess the score.] Write +and tell me how the matter is settled. + + + +223. To Ingeborg Stark + +[A pupil of Liszt's, who afterwards married Liszt's pupil Hans +von Bronsart, now General Manager of the Weimar Court theater: +she was also known as a composer.] + +It is very charming and graceful of you, dear Mademoiselle Inga, +to remember the 22nd October so kindly, and I should have thanked +you sooner for your letter, which gave me sincere pleasure, had I +not been kept to my bed for nearly a week in consequence of much +emotion and fatigue. + +Through our friend Bronsart I have had some preliminary good +tidings of you; you have fulfilled your role of charmer in the +best possible manner, and Bronsart is full of raptures about you. +But all this is ancient history for you, something like a chapter +of Rollin on the history of the Medes,--after whom come the +Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans... + +For the present it is the turn of Russia, which you are in the +way of conquering, and I see from here the enchantment of your +admirers of St. Petersburg, who are all ears and all eyes around +the piano where you are enthroned. + +Will you remember me affectionately to Prince Odoyewski, and give +a friendly shake hand [Written in English by Liszt] from me to +Mr. Martynoff. As for our dear Tartar, [The composer Alexander +Seroff] tell him how much I am attached to him; he will be all +the more agreeably persuaded of this if you tell him. Ask him +also to write to me after your first concert, for I would not +risk offending your modesty so far as to beg you to send me an +exact account of your undoubted successes. But I don't intend on +that account to let you stand still as regards letter-writing, +and you will give me great pleasure if, for example, you will +continue your history of the musical prowess of Rubinstein (that +you have begun so well). + +You know that I am truly interested in what he is doing, +considering that he has all that is wanting to compose good and +beautiful things, provided that he does not persist in writing +straight off too hurriedly, and guards a little against excess in +the very exercise of these grand qualities. + +The "Ocean" of which Rubinstein has sung might serve as his model +in this; he knows how to restrain his waves in their liberty and +power--and I hope Rubinstein would not be offended by the +comparison!--Let me know then about his artistic actions and +attitudes, of which, I presume, he will have every occasion to be +satisfied and proud. Our little Weymar has remained, as usual, +pretty tame since you left; but in a week's time we shall be +celebrating here the centenary of Schiller's birth with all the +enthusiasm of which we are susceptible (which is not saying +much). + +On the 9th November the music that I have composed for Halm's +Festival-play, "A Hundred Years Ago," will be given at the +theater, and Jena has put on its festival programme my chorus "An +die Kuenstler," which will terminate the ceremony of the 11th +(Friday next). + +In addition you will find in the Schiller number of the Leipzig +Illustrirte Zeitung, which will appear on the 12th November, a +Festival song "im Volkston" [In the style of a folk-song] of my +composition. Do not be shocked at the extreme simplicity of this +song; it was not the occasion to make a display of musical +knowledge--but simply to write forty bars or so which could be +quite easily sung and remembered by tutti quanti. In order to do +this I had to dress my Muse in a blouse, or, if you prefer a more +German comparison, "ich habe der Dame eine bayrische Joppe +angezogen!" ["I have dressed the lady in a Bavarian jacket."] + +How are you getting on with your truly Samsonic Variations--and +with your Fugue "Martha"? Don't make too great a martyr of +yourself over it, and reserve for yourself also the better +part...that of Mary. [She had written a fugue on the musical +letters of the names Martha and Maria [Mary]--the names of her +friends, the sisters Von Sabinin.] + +As I have mentioned this name I will tell you that Princess Marie +Hohenlohe will spend her winter in Vienna. + +I, for my part, shall not stir from the Altenburg, where I am +reckoning on finishing my Elizabeth, and on living more and more +as a recluse--indeed, even a little like a bear--but not in the +style of those estimable citizens of the woods, whom the +impresarii of small pleasures degrade by making them dance in the +market-places to the sound of their flutes and drums! I shall +rather choose a model ideal of a bear--be sure of that--and the +flutes and drums which might lead me into the slightest future +temptation of cutting capers have still to be invented. + +Will you be so good, dear Mademoiselle Inga, as to present my +very affectionate respects to Madame, your mother, as well as my +best remembrances and compliments to la Sagesse Olivia--[Liszt's +name for the sister of Ingeborg Stark] and believe me invariably + +Your very devoted + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, November 2nd, 1859 + + + +224. To Johann von Herbeck. + +Dear Friend, + +I only returned a few hours ago from Zwickau, and find your +friendly letter here, in reply to which I must excuse myself for +not having been able to fulfill your wish so soon as I had +intended, in respect to the Schubert Marches. This delay, which +was very unpleasant to me, was occasioned by an indisposition +which obliged me to keep my bed for a whole week at the end of +October. The Weymar and Jena Schiller Festivals, following on the +top of that, made it utterly impossible for me to get on with the +instrumentation of the Marches. But I promise you that you shall +have the score by Christmas at latest. + +"Prometheus" will present himself to you by the end of this +month. If after looking through the score, dear friend, you think +the work suitable for a performance in Vienna, I shall be glad. +If not, I beg you to tell me so with perfect candor, and without +the slightest scruple of thereby wounding my vanity. Whether the +stomach of the critics and of the public will be able to digest +such a liver cut out of the vulture as this of my "Prometheus," +or whether at the very first bars all will not be lost, I cannot +determine; but still less would I prepare superfluous +disagreeables for you by the performance of my "Tonschmiererei;" +[Tone-daubing] of such ill-odor from the beginning! + +Decide therefore entirely according to your own judicious +opinion--and, whatever that may be, rest assured of the sincere +acknowledgment and esteem with which I remain + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +November 18th, 1859 + + + +225. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Of the three prize essays (which I return to you herewith) the +one with the motto "Try all things and maintain the best" is, +according to my opinion, very significant and suitable to the +definite solving of the question. The writer develops his thesis +with so safe, so rightly apprehending, and so far grasping a +logic that it shows convincingly that the now indispensable +practice is in complete union with the results of the theory. It +is to be hoped that our excellent colleague and friend Lobe will +also give his weighty judgment in favor of this prize essay, and +will also scientifically explain his motives for doing so--for I +cannot suppose that Lobe is in agreement with the opponents of +the enharmonic system, whose theory would make us have to do +musical penance. + +In the two other essays with the mottoes "Our eyes see, but they +require the light to do so," and "Look, this is what man has +done!" there is much that is true and worthy of consideration +(especially in the former), which might be made prominent after +reading through all the essays sent in. + +Come to an understanding next with Lobe about the final business +of the causes for the award of the prize, and let me have a draft +of it. It cannot be otherwise than profitable if the affair is +treated somewhat exhaustively and thoroughly, which you, dear +friend, in conjunction with Lobe and Weitzmann, are much better +able to do than my humble self, since I, as Hauptmann justly +observes, should appear to be too much prejudiced by my own +practice. In matters of harmony, as in other greater matters, I +believe also that Nature is in everlasting union with Genius. + +"What one promises, the other surely performs." And Beethoven was +quite right to assert his right to allow that which was forbidden +by Kirnberger, Marpurg, Albrechtsberger, etc.!--Science must only +investigate more and more the nature of things and the freedom of +genius, and become experienced in their further development.----- +----- + +Ever faithfully yours, + +F. Liszt + +[Weimar,] December 1st, 1859 + +I quite agree with your project of giving two prizes. The first +prize will be awarded to the above-mentioned treatise, unless, +which I doubt, a still more successful one should be sent in. + + + +226. To Anton Rubenstein + +Certainly, my very honored friend, I shall not leave off taking a +very sincere and loyal part in the unfolding of the career that +you are pursuing with such rare prowess, and all that you can +tell me of your doings in composition and musical conducting will +always find in me a lively interest. Thank you, therefore, for +your nice letter, which contains also a promise which I shall be +very much pleased to see you fulfill--namely, that of your visit +next spring, in company with your Opera in four acts--and +probably also with your "Song of Songs," which you do not mention +to me, but which I am none the less desirous, on that account, of +knowing. + +Have you thought well to give your "Paradise Lost" at St. +Petersburg? I urged you strongly to do so, for it is a capital +work, which does you great honor, and the place of which seems +fixed in your concerts. And on this subject allow me to +compliment you very sincerely upon the idea (all the less +frequent as it is just) which has been uppermost in the +distribution of the programme of these concerts. If it continues +to predominate, and if in effect they take it into their heads at +St. Petersburg to do justice (as you tell me) "to all the masters +of all schools and of all times" (not excepting our own!), the +famous verse + +"'Tis from the North that light comes to us today" + +will be justified, and even by Music! In France and Germany we +are far from this--and classical Pharisaism swells its voice +there to make a diversion to Mercantilism, that rich disgraceful +one, who succeeds perfectly well in making the principal papers +and their numerous readers dance to the sounds of his harsh +flute, whilst his antagonist (Pharisaism) only ends in +"Improperias" and "Jeremiads"...not composed by Palestrina! + +Your choice of the introduction to the second act of the +Fliegender Hollander seems to me an excellent one, and I shall +get the score (of this scene) copied for you, as it is very +difficult to get a complete score of the Opera, and as I only +possess the autograph, with which it would be a matter of +conscience to me to part. In about a fortnight I will send you +what you want for your programme. + +Princess Marie Hohenlohe is at the present time at St. +Petersburg, and will be much delighted to see you again. Her +husband does a good deal in the way of music, and plays several +"Lieder ohne Worte" of his own composition very nicely. He and +his wife will assuredly have pleasure in being amongst the first +to applaud at the time of the performances of your Opera in +Vienna. + +A revoir then, my dear Rubinstein, in the spring--and ever yours +in sincere esteem and affection, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 3rd, 1859 + +P.S.--When you see Mademoiselle Ingeborg Stark, please give her +my very affectionate remembrances. If her journey from Paris +should bring her back by Weymar she would be sure to find me +there; for, in spite of what the papers say, which, among other +fancies, have taken it into their heads to make me travel hither +and thither, I shall not stir from here for several months, but +continue to work my best--if only to prove to the "kindly critic" +and the idlers that it is very much to be regretted that I should +have taken it into my head to turn composer!--This recalls the +proverb, "On devient cuisinier, mais on nait rotisseur!" + +[There does not seem to be any equivalent to this proverb in +English: the nearest approach to it is, perhaps, "A poet is born, +not made."] + + + +227. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +It is of great consequence to me not to delay any longer the +publication of my "Gesammelte Lieder." Forgive me, therefore, if +today I am somewhat troublesome to your friendship..--. + +It seems to me that the best plan would be if, before you confer +with Herr Schulze, you would first have a consultation with +Klemm, and come to a thorough understanding on the matter with +him. [Liszt evidently wished to have the songs engraved first at +his own cost, and to let Klemm undertake the sale on commission.] +Beg him also, in my name, to show a friendly sympathy to the +work. The songs can hold their ground in their present form +(regardless of the criticism of our choking and quarrelling +opponents which will infallibly follow!); and if a few singers +could be found, not of the raw and superficial kind, who would +boldly venture to sing songs by the notorious non-composer, Franz +Liszt, they would probably find a public for them. + +I think I told you that a couple of them made a furore in certain +salons which are very much set against me, as posthumous songs of +Schubert, and were encored!--Of course I have begged the singer +to carry the joke on further. + +Klemm need not therefore be in the least ashamed of undertaking +the publication of the work in a friendly spirit. + +Best thanks beforehand for your kind trouble in this matter--and +ever faithfully yours, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 6th, 1859 + +P.S.--I have just received your letter. The two K.'s--Kompel and +Kahnt--shall be made most welcome. Pohl had already told me of +Kahnt's coming; it will be a pleasure to me not to verlangweilen +[To make the time hang heavily] his visit here (if that word is +not quite German, still I consider it is comprehensible!). Julius +Schuberth had also the intention of rescuing something [Namely, +Liszt's composition] from Kuehn. [Music publisher] Your idea of +giving Bronsart the conductorship of the Euterpe Concerts is a +most excellent one. I suppose the letter which I wrote about this +to P. Fischer (to your address) came to hand (?). The day before +yesterday I also let Bronsart know that possibly some favorable +openings might occur for him in Leipzig, and recommended him not +to neglect them. Bronsart would be just in his right post in +Leipzig, and I do not doubt that he would in every respect +maintain it in the most honorable manner. In addition to this, it +would be especially agreeable to me to begin constant intercourse +with him as my next neighbor. He is now working at his Opera, and +sent me a little while ago the libretto which he has himself +composed to it, and which seems to me very successful in the most +important scenes, as well as in the dialogue. [It was afterwards +composed by his wife ("King Hiarne").] + +Address your letters to "Herr von Bronsart, c/o Herr General von +Bronsart, Commandant of Dantzig, Dantzig." + +In consequence of the performance of my Mass in Munich (on the +King's birthday, at the end of November), which, as I am told on +many sides, was well given and--which seems wonderful--was +acknowledged by many musicians there to be a work of importance-- +so that even Lachner spoke favorably of it--the "Allgemezne" +Zeftung again breathes forth poison and gall (supplement of 3rd +December), without forgetting therewith the "Neue Zeitschrift fur +Musik." I should like to take the opportunity of making this pack +of critics, such as W., B., G., B., and whatever all the +assistants' assistants are called, understand the following +thoughts as Xenie:--[Epigram] + +"Ye break your staff over me, but your staff has indeed long +since become rotten from all the dust and dirt that stick to it, +and it scarcely serves any longer to cut the air!" + +Tell this idea to Lohmann--perhaps he may be inspired with a +happy rhyme for it. + +I cannot say anything better to you about Pohl than what you tell +me.-- + +Herewith, for your private delectation, is a copy of some lines +from my letter to Herr Gustav Eggers (in Berlin), brother of the +well-known Art-journal Eggers, now very much concerned in the +Prussian paper. Gustav E. was here at the September Festival +(1857), when he heard the Faust Symphony, and sent me lately a +very pretty book of songs, begging me to recommend them to +Hartel.--Send me the little paper back soon. + + + +228. To Eduard Liszt + +By the loving friendship which you have shown me, especially +during the last decade in which so many trials have been laid on +me, our close relationship in heart and character has been for +ever firmly sealed, dearest Eduard. You are, and will ever be to +me, a support and a courage-giving comforter in the battles and +straits of my life. God grant me grace to go through them without +wavering, as a faithful servant of the truth in Christ! + +You have decided upon just what is most right and suitable in the +arrangement of the funeral ceremony of my son. [He died in +Vienna, where he was studying law.] The selection of Terziani's +Requiem was a very suitable one under the existing conditions. I +thank you for everything from the depths of my soul! + +I shall write a couple of lines to Herbeck tomorrow, and send him +at the same time the score and parts of the "Prometheus," as well +as two Marches of Schubert which I have instrumented for him. The +sending off of this parcel has been delayed by the circumstance +that it was necessary to have the whole score of the "Prometheus" +written out afresh, and to make some alterations in the parts. +The earlier score was indeed sufficient for me--but any strange +conductor would scarcely find his way through it. I hope Herbeck +will be pleased with the instrumentation of the Schubert Marches. +I fancy I have been successful in this little work, and I shall +continue it further, as it offers much attraction to me. The four +other Marches will follow shortly, which should make the half- +dozen complete. + +Cornelius arrived here the day before yesterday. His friendly +attachment to you is a very warm and sincerely devoted one. On me +Cornelius's pure mind and thoroughly honorable disposition always +have the most beneficial effect; but it is especially welcome to +me just now to hear more of you from him, and thus to be more +with you. + +Be as good to me as you are dear to my heart! + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 28th, 1859 + + + +229. To Josef Dessauer + +[Autograph in the possession of Herr Von Hannen, painter in +Venice.--The addressee ("Maitre Favilla," as George Sand named +her friend) was known as the composer of refined songs (1798- +1876). Three of these Liszt transcribed (1847, Berlin, +Schlesinger).] + +Dear honored Friend, + +It is possible that the delicacy of your perception may have +brought you much trouble, but it assures you a soft place in the +better region of the heart of your friends. This I again felt in +reading your dear letter. + +Accept, therefore, the heartfelt thanks of your old friend, whose +"manly formed nature" must further prove itself; he has still +many duties to fulfill and more than one battle to fight. May the +Cross remain his support, his strength, and his shield! + +Whatever fatality also may hang over me, be assured of the +faithful attachment of your + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 30th, 1859 + +The crucifix from you (after the Gran Mass) has grown still +dearer to me!-- + +When I have finished with some works which cannot be postponed +any longer, Daniel shall receive his Requiena. + + + +230. To Wilkoszewshi, Secretary of the Concerts of the +"Hofcapelle" in Munich. + +[From a copy in Liszt's own handwriting (amongst the letters to +Brendel)] + +Dear Sir, + +The performance of new works on the part of so renowned an +orchestra as that of Munich must ever remain a mark of special +attention for the composers. But I must rate it still higher +that, in face of the strong prejudice against my name, one of my +ill-famed Symphonic Poems should have been included in the +programme of the concerts of the Munich Hofcapelle. + +It is ill preaching to deaf ears, and it is well known that there +is no worse deafness than that of people who will not hear. Hence +it is that the Festklange, as well as the Mass and everything +that I and others better than my humble self have been able to +compose, is prejudiced. But the more unseemly and malicious +factiousness may show itself against new works, the more am I +laid under a grateful obligation to those who do not accept as +their artistic criterion the injustice inflicted on me. + +Time levels all things, and I can quietly wait until people are +more occupied in learning to know and to hear my scores than in +condemning and hissing them. Mean-spirited, blackguard tricks, +even when played in concert-rooms and newspaper reports, are no +arguments worthy of a lasting import. + +I beg you, dear sir, to convey to General Music-Director Lachner +my best thanks for his well-meant sentiments towards me, and I +remain, with high esteem, yours very sincerely, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 15th, 1860. + + + +231. To Johann von Herbeck. + +[Received, according to him, on January 26th, 1860] + +Dear Friend, + +On getting back from Berlin yesterday evening I find your letter, +which has given me especial pleasure by the assurance that the +"Prometheus" choruses and, the instrumentation of the "Schubert +Marches" fulfill your expectations. You shall very shortly +receive two more "Schubert Marches" (the "Funeral March" in E +flat minor, and the "Hungarian March" in C minor out of the +"Hungarian Divertissement". [Op. 40, No. 5, and "Marcia" from Op. +54] They could be played one immediately after the other. + +The "Prometheus" choruses, together with the "Symphonic Poem" +which goes before them (and which has been published by Hartel as +No. 5), were composed in July 1850 for the Herder Festival, and +were performed in the theater here on the eve of that festival. +My pulses were then all beating feverishly, and the thrice- +repeated cry of woe of the Oceanides, the Dryads, and the +Infernals echoed in my ears from all the trees and lakes of our +park. + +In my work I strove after an ideal of the antique, which should +be represented, not as an ancient skeleton, but as a living and +moving form. A beautiful stanza of Andre Chenier, + +"Sur des pensers nouveaux faisons des vers antiques," ["On modern +thoughts let us fashion verses antique."] + +served me for precept, and showed me the way to musical plastic +art and symmetry. + +The favorable opinion you have formed of the work in reading it +through is a token to me that I have not altogether failed--I +hope that the performance will not spoil your sympathy for it. I +leave the direction, with the utmost confidence, entirely in your +hands.--You always hit on the right thing, and navigate +satisfactorily with your entire forces the occasional +difficulties of the dissonant entries, and of the pathetic +delivery which is absolutely essential in several places. It +would certainly be a great pleasure to me, dear friend, if I +could be present at the performance in Vienna on the 26th +February, to enjoy your intelligent and inspired performance, but +I am prevented from doing this by various circumstances (an +explanation of which would lead me too far). + +I beg you therefore not to induce the directors to invite me, +because I might not be in a position to make my excuses. So +please do you undertake the office of unchaining Prometheus in +Vienna; this labour of Hercules will become you well [Footnote +below]. There are certainly no powerful eagles to hack and rend +in pieces the Titan's liver--but there is a whole host of ravens +and creeping vermin ready to do it.--Once more best thanks and +greetings from your most highly esteeming and very devoted + +F. Liszt + +[It took place on the 26th February, 1860. Herbeck notes as +follows about it in his diary: "Prometheus, Symphonic Poem, +pleased fairly. Chorus of Tritons pleased extremely. The +Vintagers' and Reapers' choruses and concluding chorus pleased, +but of course there was a formally organized opposition hissing. +They had sworn the overthrow of this music, without even +knowing a note of it."] + + + +232. To Dr. Franz Brendel. + +So then it has happened well that the editor of the Neue +Zeitschrift has also become the editor of my "Gesammelte Lieder." +Best thanks, dear friend, for the means you have taken to promote +this. Kahnt has only to come to an understanding with +Schlesinger; I on my side do not wish to place any limitation on +his rights. Whether a transcription of this or that song may be +made I do not know; if this should be the case I will only beg +Kahnt to let me know of any such chance transcriptions before +allowing them to appear, mainly because it would not be pleasant +to me if any really too stupid arrangements should come out. This +is only a matter of artistic consideration--beyond that I have +neither restriction nor reservation to make to the proposed +edition. As soon as Kahnt is in order with Schlesinger I am +satisfied with everything. This or that song may then appear +singly, or transcribed for guitar or zither; so much the better +if Kahnt can thereby make it pay. N.B.--I should be glad if, in +bringing out the songs singly, the same outside cover could be +employed as in the complete edition, on account of the index. +Probably Kahnt will say nothing against this, as the back of the +cover serves as an advertisement of the entire collection of +songs. + +Yesterday evening Fraulein Berghaus (a daughter of the Potsdam +professor) sang two numbers, Freudvoll and leidvoll and Es muss +ein Wunderbares sein (out of the sixth part), at a concert given +by Singer and Cossmann. I had indeed forbidden it, because this +winter I will not have my name put on any concert programme at +all--but her exquisite delivery of these songs, which were also +received with approbation, reconciled me to it. + +At the last Court concert in Berlin Fraulein Genast [A highly +gifted singer, afterwards Frau Dr. Merian in Weimar] selected the +"Loreley" as her concluding song, and the Frau Princess Victoria +expressed herself very favorably about it, remarking that a +Schubert spirit breathed in the composition. One of these days +Fraulein Genast is again singing the "Loreley" at the +Philharmonic Concert in Hamburg. Otten has specially begged her +to do so. The same gentleman wrote about eighteen months ago to +Frau von Milde that he must beg to remark "that in regard to the +choice of compositions to be performed Robert Schumann is the +extreme limit to whom his programme could extend!" + +I cannot quite remember whether I sent Gotze a copy of my songs. +Please ask him, and if I have not yet done so let me know. Gotze +has a special claim to them, for in earlier years he had the +courage to sing several of my nonentities--and I will see that he +has a copy at once. At the same time ask Fraulein Gotze also +whether she has received the copy of the Ballade Leonore. [Liszt +had composed this melodrama for Auguste Gotze, and frequently +performed it, as well as his later melodramas, with her.] From +several places (and quite lately from Carlsruhe and Brunswick) +orders for this Ballade have come to me, which--between +ourselves--are not convenient to me. My copyist has already had +to make at least nine copies of it, which is a pretty good +expense. Nevertheless a tenth shall willingly be made, if the one +which was intended for Fraulein Gotze did not reach her, of which +I am somewhat in doubt, owing to the many demands which the +Leonore has brought with it, and which have made me somewhat +confused. + +It would really be the best for me if Kahnt or Schuberth would +save me the trouble of making further copies by publishing the +"Leonore". But I should not wish in any way to incommode the +publisher, and certainly not to offer anything without knowing +that it would be welcome. Under present circumstances a very +pronounced reserve has become my rule. My business is simply to +continue working unremittingly, and quietly to await the rest. + +Accordingly I submit myself without difficulty to your experience +as editor in regard to my Munich letter [To Wilkoszewski]-- +although I could maintain good grounds for publishing it. +Certainly it is always the gentlemanly thing entirely to ignore +certain things and people. You may therefore be quite right in +putting aside all other considerations; and as I am convinced of +your most sincere friendship I willingly leave you to decide +whether my coming forward in such matters is of use or not. In +case you had thought it advisable for my letter to be printed in +the "Neue Zeitschrift" (which I left to your judgment), it would +have had of necessity to be printed without the slightest +alteration, because I have purposely written it thus clearly to +Herr W., and any alteration in it might be taken as cowardice +(which is far from me). But probably it is better to abandon the +matter for a while, and to be somewhat more severe on another +occasion. The pack of ragamuffins has richly deserved to be +treated as ragamuffins! + +This evening is Wagner's first concert in Paris. I expect little +good to him from it, and consider such a step on Wagner's part as +a mistake. In consequence of this opinion our correspondence is +for the time suspended. More about this viva voce--as well as +about "Tristan and Isolde." A performance of the Opera was +desired--that is to say, commanded for the 8th April (the +birthday of the Grand Duchess). But Frau von Milde cannot +undertake the chief part--and on that account the parts and score +sent to us from Carlsruhe will be sent back again at once! + +Has Wagner given his opinion more decidedly about a "Tristan" +performance in Leipzig? Can you let me know the contents of his +letter? + +With heartfelt greetings, your + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, January 25th, 1860 + +If you should see Schuberth, tell him that I have something to +communicate to him that would perhaps repay him for the trouble +of coming to see me here for a couple of hours. I have no +intention of coming to Leipzig for the present. Tell him that +delays of this kind make me "nervos" [nervous] (He knows what the +word "nervos" means with me.) + + + +233. To Friedrich Hebbel + +[Communicated by Dr. Felix Bamberg, from the original] + +The words which you write to me bear the two-fold eloquence of +the praiseworthy man in the fore-rank of Art, and of the friend +dearly loved and highly respected by me. Accept my warmest thanks +for it, and please excuse me for not having told you sooner what +a strengthening and healing effect your letter made on me. Work +of all sorts and a long absence from here occasioned this delay. +In the interim I was often with you in thought; only the day +before yesterday I read to the Princess your two glorious Sonnets +an den Kunstler ["To the Artist"], "Ob Du auch bilden magst, was +unverganglich"--"Und ob mich diese Zweifel brennen +müssen?"["Whether thou canst form what is imperishable": "And +whether these doubts must burn me."]-- + +From Weymar I have nothing interesting nor especially agreeable +to tell you. This winter will pass away pretty quietly and +insignificantly at the theater, with repertoire works and pieces +that will bring in money, and in society with the customary +pleasures. A new drama by Rost, "Ludwig der Eiserne," made some +sensation, as is peculiar to the very popular productions of this +author, who has achieved a public-house notoriety here. The +nobles ought to have appeared in it yoked to the plough, but on +Dingelstedt's advice Rost toned down that scene!--A translation +by Frau Schuselka (who has performed here sometimes) of the "Pere +prodigue" of Dumas fils was to have come on the boards; but it +appears that there are scruples about making such very ominous +demands on the customary powers of digestion of our un-lavish +fathers of families! Amongst other inconveniences the piece also +contains logarithms, to which the respectable German Philistine +cannot attain. + +As regards myself, I am quietly waiting for the spring, when I +shall in all probability move on further--of course not to renew +my occupation of conducting, as it is said I shall do in Munich, +Berlin, or elsewhere--an occupation I have gladly given up;--but +in order to be able to pursue my work further than I am able to +do in Weymar, which to me is a more important matter. + +Remember me most kindly to your wife, and be assured that I +remain ever in truest devotion yours most faithfully, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, February 5th, 1860. + + + +234. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +[February 1860] + +Dear Friend, + +Although as a general rule I consider that it is not the business +of the Neue Zeitschrift to go in for polemics, yet it seems to me +that the little notice that Hanslick has put in No. 49 of the +Vienna Presse, Saturday, the 18th February, is of such a kind +that one must not ignore it. + +The Presse is a paper with a tremendous circulation in the +monarchy, and Hanslick counts among the leaders of our opponents; +it would therefore be worth while to make an exception by coming +forward on this occasion, unless (which I cannot as yet believe) +your Vienna correspondent has been guilty of the mischievous +conduct which Hanslick so severely reports. This point must first +be made clear--whether in the third (or possibly an earlier) +concert of Herr Boskowitz an exchange of a Schumann for a Liszt +piece occurred. [Instead of the Liszt piece "Au bord d'une +source," which stood on the programme, Boskowitz had played the +"Jagdlied" from Schumann's "Waldscenen," which did not prevent a +correspondent (namely, the correspondent of the Deutsche +Musikzeitung, as the Neue Zeitschrift of 24th February, 1860, +gave out) from loudly carping at the supposed Liszt composition.] +Possibly also your correspondent made use of the expression "The +Vienna Press" in general, and did not refer specially to the +paper Die Presse, [This was actually the case] or was referring +to other remarks of Hanslick's... + +This is only the second time for many years past, dear friend, +that I have drawn your attention to notices in the paper. On the +first occasion, when the Augsburger Allgemeine gave that infamous +correspondence about the venality of the Neue Zeitschrift, your +striking answer gave the most convincing proof of what part the +opponents were studying to play!--I hope it will be possible to +despatch Hanslick's notice (which I enclose) in a similar +fashion. But it is necessary to get at the exact truth before +inveighing against them--for Hanslick is no easy opponent, and if +one once attacks him it must be with suitable weapons and without +giving quarter. The words "denunciation proceedings," "Gessler +caps of the party of the future," and especially the concluding +sentence, "As long as Herr Brendel," etc., are a challenge, which +deserves more than a faint-hearted reproof! I would also advise +you to send a duplicate of your reply to the Presse in Vienna, at +the same time as it is published in the Zeitschrift. The editors +of the Presse will be certain to reject it, according to the +usual method of the clique impartiality of those gentlemen. But +the scandalous examples of the latter will be thus increased by +one more. + +It is easy also to see beforehand that Hanslick will not let the +matter rest at this first notice, and will continue the +discussion. + +Hearty greetings. + +F.L.P.S.--In case your Vienna correspondent should be quite in +the wrong, it would be better simply to be silent and wait for a +better opportunity. + + + +235. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +[March or April 1860] + +Dear Friend, + +Do not blame me if this time I follow Pohl's example and keep you +waiting for the promised article. I have been working at it +pretty continuously during the past week, and the sketch of it is +quite ready; but I am not quite satisfied with it, and about +Berlioz and Wagner I must say the right thing in the right +manner. [No article of the kind by Liszt is contained in the Neue +Zeitschrift for the year in question; probably it was +unfinished.] This duty requires me to spend more time on it, and +unfortunately I have so much on hand this week that it is hardly +possible for me to busy myself with polemics. Tomorrow is again a +grand Court concert; Bronsart and Fraulein Stark arrived +yesterday; Frau von Bulow comes today, and I expect Hans on +Saturday. Besides this, there is still more important work for +me, which will take up my time entirely till the end of this +month. + +Well, I will see to it that, if possible, Berlioz and Wagner do +not remain forgotten!-- + +Let me first of all answer your questions. + +Whether it would be desirable to hold the second Tonkunstler- +Versammlung this year, I already left it to you, at our last +meeting, to decide. In my opinion we might wait till next year +without injury to the affair. [This was done.] As long as I +myself have not made a secure and firm footing in Weymar, I +cannot invite you to convene the meeting here. If you hold to the +dates of the 17th, 18th, and 19th June, we are bound to Leipzig, +where I can then tell you with certainty whether Weymar will suit +for the next meeting. + +It goes without saying that you, dear friend, must arrange about +everything that I can undertake and do for the Tonkunstler- +Versammlung. Only my personal help as conductor must be excepted. +At our next consultation we shall easily come to an understanding +as to the desirability of one conductor or several. + +I would indicate and emphasize, as absolutely necessary, the +performance of new works by Bulow, Draseke, Bronsart, Singer, +Seifriz, etc. I think I understand and can manage the art of +programme-making in a masterly manner. When once matters have got +so far, I will fix with you the programme of the three +performances. + +I agree with the choice of the "Prometheus," and at the religious +performance, if the latter is not filled up with one single great +work, I would suggest perhaps the "Beatitudes," or the 13th Psalm +(the former last about ten minutes, the latter twenty-five). + +Will you therefore decide definitely where the Tonkunstler- +Versammlung shall be held this year and the date of it, about +which I have nothing further to say? We will then discuss and +settle the rest together. + +You will find my remarks as to the statute scheme on the last +page of it. + +With hearty greetings, your + +F. Liszt + +P.S.-- + +A. The revising of the "Leonore" shall be attended to +immediately. + +B. I shall welcome Fraulein Brauer most cordially. + +C. I recommend to you again the manuscripts of Pasque and +Councillor Muller. Have you replied to Muller? + +Herewith is a letter from Weitzmann (14th June, 1859), in which +you will find much worthy of consideration and use. + +Important! N.B.--When you convene the Tonkunstler-Versammlung, +add to it at once the following: "For the foundation of the +German Universal Musical Society." This is the principal aim, +toward the accomplishment of which we have to work. + +[Liszt was, as Princess Wittgenstein distinctly told the editor, +the actual founder of the "German Universal Musical Society." He +conceived the idea and plan of it, and it was only at his wish +that Brendel gave his name to it, and undertook to be president, +etc.] + + + +236. To Louis Kohler. + +My dear, excellent friend, + +You have given me a rare pleasure. Your articles on my +"Gesammelte Lieder" are a reproduction, replete with spirit and +mind, of what I, alas! must feel and bear much more than I can +venture to write down! Reviews such as these are not matters of +every-day reviewers--nor must one shame you with such a title. + +Accept my warmest thanks for them, and allow me to present to you +herewith a couple of little singable things in manuscript. They +were jotted down after reading your articles, and, if I mistake +not, they spring from the melody of speech. In any case, dear +friend, you have a special right to them--as well as to the +sincere esteem and faithful attachment with which I remain your + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 5th, 1860 + +Towards the end of October the two Symphonic Poems, Nos. 10 and +11, which have still to be published--"Hamlet" and the +"Hunnenschlacht" [The Battle of the Huns]--will appear at +Hartel's; and when these are out all the twelve monsters will +have appeared. Shortly afterwards will follow Faust, the choruses +to Prometheus, a couple of Psalms, and a new number of songs. I +will send you the whole lot. But if possible arrange so that we +may soon meet again--at the latest at the next Tonkunstler- +Versammlung next year, at which we cannot possibly do without +you. + + + +237. To Eduard Liszt + +Dearest Eduard, + +You remain perpetually in the home of my heart, not at all in +countless company, but all the more in picked company. When I +think I have done anything pretty good I think of you and rejoice +that what I have done will be a pleasure to you--and in the hours +when sadness and sorrow take hold of me you are again my comfort +and strength by your loving insight into my innermost wishes and +yearnings! My thanks, my warmest and truest thanks, to you for +all the sustaining and soothing friendship that you show to me. +It is to me a special token of Heaven's favor to me, and I pray +to God that He may unite us for ever in Himself!-- + +Cornelius writes me word that you will probably come to Weymar +towards the end of the summer. That will be a great pleasure to +me; I often feel as if I must have a talk with you out of the +depths of my heart--for with writing, as you know, I don't +exactly get on. I expect the Princess towards the middle of +August. Meanwhile I receive good and satisfactory tidings from +Rome. I hope all will turn out for the best. + +In these latter weeks I have been completely absorbed in my +composing. If I mistake not, my power of production has +materially increased, while some things in me are made clear and +others are more concentrated. By the end of October the last two +of the Symphonic Poems will be out ("Hamlet" and the +"Hunnenschlacht"). Then come the Psalms, which you do not yet +know, and which I much want you to know-and also a new number of +songs which will please you. I shall then work at the Oratorio +St. Elizabeth, exclusive of all else, and get it completely +finished before the end of the year. May God in His grace accept +my endeavors!-- + +I must express myself not entirely in accord beforehand with your +plan for your son, although I consider your way of looking at the +present state of things by no means a wrong one. I am also +convinced that, when it comes to settling definitely, the talents +and capabilities, as well as the bent of mind, of your child will +be satisfactory to you. If the young one has a mind for a +uniform--well, let it be so. To cut one's way through life with a +sabre is indeed for the most part pleasanter than any other +mode...The business paper for the Princess I will keep till her +return, unless you write to me to forward it to her in Rome. + +May I bother you with a commission for provisions? Forgive me for +the way in which I am always making use of you, but I do so want +to make a little joke for Bulow, and I have no one now in Vienna +who could help me in it except just you. It is about sending a +pretty considerable amount of Hungarian Paprika [Hungarian, +Turkish, or Spanish pepper from Hungary] and a little barrel of +Pfefferoni (little green Hungarian pepper-plants preserved in +vinegar). Please ask Capellmeister Doppler where these things are +to be procured genuine, and send them me as soon as possible to +Weymar. I won't hide from you that I intend to go shares with +Bulow, as I am particularly fond of Paprika and Pfefferoni. So +take care that there is enough sent, and that it arrives in good +condition.--And as this will give you occasion to see Doppler, +give him my warm thanks for the instrumentation of the Pester +Carnaval (in which musical Paprika and Pfefferoni are not +wanting). He has again been most successful in it, and I intend +to push on in the autumn the publication of the six Rhapsodies +for orchestra, for which indeed I shall have to obtain the +permission or consent of three separate publishers (Schott, +Senff, Haslinger)--a circumstance which may of itself occasion +some delay, especially if the gentlemen behave in regard to my +wish as Spina did in so unpleasantly surprising a manner in +regard to the instrumentation of the Schubert Marches. To tell +you this incident briefly: I wrote to Dachs and asked him to +request Spina in my name either to publish the three Marches +himself in score--without any remuneration for me!--or else to +give me permission to bring them out through another publisher. +Spina's answer, as Dachs gave me to understand, was that he could +not consent to either the one or the other of my proposals (which +were certainly reasonable enough)! And thus I must wait until +Spina can hit on a better plan! When I have an opportunity, I +shall venture to apply to him direct. + +For the present, in consideration of the fact that Paprika and +Pfefferoni make one very thirsty, a barrel of Gumpoldskirchner +(with a slightly sharp, flowery after-taste) would be very +welcome to me, if by chance you are able to find a good kind and +cheap.--Forgive me for all these Lucullian extravagances!-- + +I will write soon to Cornelius. Give him my heartfelt greetings. +Also please remember me kindly to Dr. Kulke. I will give him my +thanks by letter on the first opportunity for his Prometheus +articles, as I would have already done through Cornelius, had he +not started so suddenly.-- + +Now farewell, dearest Eduard. Spare yourself and take care of +your health. Assure your dear wife of my heartfelt attachment, +and kiss your children for your faithful + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 9th, 1860 + + + +238. To Ingeborg Stark + +[Summer, 1860] + +If a sort of idiosyncrasy against letters did not hold me back I +should have told you long ago what pleasure your charming letter +from Paris gave me, and what a sincere part I have taken in your +late successes, dear enchantress. But you must know all that far +better than I could succeed in writing it. + +So let us talk of something else--for instance, Baron +Vietinghoff's [He took the noun de plume Boris Scheel, and in +1885 he performed his opera "Der Daemon" in St. Petersburg, which +originated twenty years before that of Rubinstein.] Overture, +which you were so kind as to send me, and which I have run +through with B[ronsart] during his short stay at Weymar--too +short to please me, but doubtless much too long for you!--The +Overture in question is not wanting either in imagination or +spirit. It is the work of a man musically much gifted, but who +has not yet sufficiently handled his subject. When you have an +opportunity, will you give my best compliments to the author, and +give him also the little scale of chords that I add? It is +nothing but a very simple development of the scale, terrifying +for all the long and protruding ears, [Figure demonstrating a +descending whole-tone scale] that Mr. de Vietinghoff employs in +the final presto of his overture (page 66 of the score). + +Tausig makes a pretty fair use of it in his Geisterschaff; and in +the classes of the Conservatoire, in which the high art of the +mad dog is duly taught, the existing elementary exercises of the +piano methods, [Figure: Musical example; a five-finger exercise] +which are of a sonorousness as disagreeable as they are +incomplete, ought to be replaced by this one, which will thus +form the unique basis of the method of harmony--all the other +chords, in use or not, being unable to be employed except by the +arbitrary curtailment of such and such an interval. + +In fact it will soon be necessary to complete the system by the +admission of quarter and half-quarter tones until something +better turns up!-- + +Behold the abyss of progress into which the abominable "Musicians +of the Future" precipitate us! + +Take care that you do not let yourself be contaminated by this +pest of Art! + +For a week past it has done nothing but rain here, and I have +been obliged to have fires and stoves lighted in the house. If by +chance you are favored with such a temperature at Schwalbach, I +invite you to profit by it to make some new Fugues, and to make +up, by plenty of work for the pedals, for the pedestrian exercise +of which you would be necessarily deprived. + +B., to whom I beg you to give my cordial and kind remembrances, +led me to hope that you will stay a couple of days at Weymar +after your cure. If this could be so arranged I for my part +should be delighted, and should pick a quarrel with you (even if +it were a German quarrel!) if you were not completely persuaded +of it! + +Remember me most affectionately to la Sagesse, and do me the +kindness to count, under all circumstances, on + +Your very sincerely devoted + +F. Liszt + + + +239. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Your last proposition is the best. Come quite simply to me at +Weymar. As I am now quite alone at home we can hold our +conference and arrange matters most conveniently at the +Altenburg. I am writing at the same time to Bulow at Wiesbaden +(where he is giving a concert tomorrow, Friday), to beg him to +arrange with you about the day on which the meeting shall be held +here. You two have to decide this. Of course you will stay with +me. There shall also be a room in readiness for Kahnt. + +With regard to Wagner's pardon [Wagner had been exiled from +Germany for political reasons.] I am expecting reliable +information shortly. It seems strange that the Dresden papers +should not have been the first to give the official announcement, +and that an act of pardon of H.M. the King of Saxony should be +made known through the "Bohemia" (in Prague). Wagner has not yet +written to me. + +To our speedy meeting. Heartily your + +F. Liszt + +August 9th, 1860 + + + +240. To Princess Caroline Sayn-Wittgenstein. + +[Portions of the above were published in the Neue Zeitschrift fur +Musik of 4th May, 1887.] + +Weymar, September 14th, 1860 + +I am writing this down on the 14th September, the day on which +the Church celebrates the Festival of the Holy Cross. The +denomination of this festival is also that of the glowing and +mysterious feeling which has pierced my entire life as with a +sacred wound. + +Yes, "Jesus Christ on the Cross," a yearning longing after the +Cross and the raising of the Cross,--this was ever my true inner +calling; I have felt it in my innermost heart ever since my +seventeenth year, in which I implored with humility and tears +that I might be permitted to enter the Paris Seminary; at that +time I hoped it would be granted to me to live the life of the +saints and perhaps even to die a martyr's death. This, alas! has +not happened--yet, in spite of the transgressions and errors +which I have committed, and for which I feel sincere repentance +and contrition, the holy light of the Cross has never been +entirely withdrawn from me. At times, indeed, the refulgence of +this Divine light has overflowed my entire soul.--I thank God for +this, and shall die with my soul fixed upon the Cross, our +redemption, our highest bliss; and, in acknowledgment of my +belief, I wish before my death to receive the holy sacraments of +the Catholic, Apostolic, and Romish Church, and thereby to attain +the forgiveness and remission of all my sins. Amen. + +I thank my mother with reverence and tender love for her +continual proofs of goodness and love. In my youth people called +me a good son; it was certainly no special merit on my part, for +how would it have been possible not to be a good son with so +faithfully self-sacrificing a mother?--Should I die before her, +her blessing will follow me into the grave. + +I owe it to my cousin Eduard Liszt (Dr. and Royal County +Councillor of Justice in Vienna) to repeat here my warm and +grateful affection for him, and to thank him for his faithfulness +and staunch friendship. By his worth, his talents, and his +character he does honor to the name I bear, and I pray God for +His blessings on him, his wife, and his children. + +Among our Art-comrades of the day there is one name which has +already become glorious, and which will become so ever more and +more--Richard Wagner. His genius has been to me a light which I +have followed--and my friendship for Wagner has always been of +the character of a noble passion. At a certain period (about ten +years ago) I had visions of a new Art-period for Weymar, similar +to that of Carl August, in which Wagner and I should have been +the leading spirits, as Goethe and Schiller were formerly,--but +unfavorable circumstances have brought this dream to nothing. + +To my daughter Cosima I bequeath the sketch of Steinle +representing St. Francois de Paul, my patron saint; he is walking +on the waves, his mantle spread beneath his feet, holding in one +hand a red-hot coal, the other raised, either to allay the +tempest or to bless the menaced boatmen, his look turned to +heaven, where, in a glory, shines the redeeming word "Caritas."-- +This sketch has always stood on my writing-table. Near it there +is an ancient hour-glass in carved wood with four glasses, which +is also for my daughter Cosima. Two other things which have +belonged to me are to be given as a remembrance to my cousin +Eduard Liszt and to my much-loved and brave son-in-law Hans von +Bulow. + +Some of the members of our Union of the "New German School"--to +whom I remain deeply attached--must also receive some remembrance +of me; Hans von Bronsart, Peter Cornelius (in Vienna), E. Lassen +(in Weymar), Dr. Franz Brendel (in Leipzig), Richard Pohl (in +Weymar), Alex. Ritter (in Dresden), Felix Draseke (in Dresden), +Professor Weitzmann (in Berlin), Carl Tausig (from Warsaw)-- +either a ring with my sign-manual, a portrait, or coat-of-arms.-- +May they continue the work that we have begun--the honor of Art +and the inner worth of the artist constrains them to do so. Our +cause cannot fail, though it have for the present but few +supporters.-- + +One of my jewels set as a ring is to be sent to Madame Caroline +d'Artigaux, nee Countess de St. Cricq (at Pau, France). To the +Princess Constantin Hohenlohe (nee Princess Marie Wittgenstein) I +bequeath the ivory crucifix (cinque-cento) which was given to me +by my kind patron the Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen--also a +pair of studs with five different stones, which form the five +initials of my name. + +And now I kneel down once more to pray "Thy kingdom come; Thy +will be done on earth as it is in heaven; forgive us our +trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us; and +deliver us from evil. Amen." + +F. Liszt + +Written the 14th September, 1860, on the Festival of the raising +of the Holy Cross. + +SUPPLEMENT: + +To Herr Gross, a member of the Weymar Grand Ducal Royal Orchestra +(trombone and double-bass player), who has for a number of years +looked after the copying of my works and the arranging of the +orchestral and voice parts of them in the library of the +Altenburg, I bequeath a present of one hundred thalers for the +faithful, devoted service he has rendered me. + +To the names of my friends of the New German School is to be +added one more, or rather I ought to have mentioned it first; it +is that of Mr. Gaetano Belloni (in Paris).--He was my Secretary +during the period of my concert tours in Europe, from 1841 to +1847, and was always my faithful and devoted servant and friend. +He must not be forgotten. Moreover, whether he will or no, he +belongs to the New German School, by his attachment to me, and +also by the part he took later on in the Berlioz and Wagner +concerts. I wish to be buried simply, without pomp, and if +possible at night.--May light everlasting illumine my soul! + + + +241. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +September 20th, 1860 + +Dear Friend, + +I send you by my friend Lassen [Born 1830, became Court music- +director 1858, and Court conductor in Weimar after Liszt's +withdrawal (1861); celebrated as a composer of songs] a little +parcel of songs (eight numbers), which I beg you to give to +Kahnt. Of several of them I have kept no copy--and I therefore +beg Kahnt not to lose them. As regards the numbering of them (the +order of succession), they are to be kept as I noted down some +time ago (on a bit of paper which I gave Kahnt when he was here). + +I also add a Quartet for men's voices. It is the Verein song +"Frisch auf zu neuem Leben," ["Uprouse to newer life."] written +for the New Weymar Verein by Hoffmann von Fallersleben. The +passage "von Philister Geschrei;" ["Of Philistine cry."] will +probably amuse you, and the whole thing is kept rather popular +and easy to be performed. If it does not make a bother let it be +tried in Leipzig when you have an opportunity. + +N.B.--If you think the designation on the title-page "Written and +composed for the New Weymar Verein" will give offence, it can be +left out, and the title can run simply, "Vereins Lied," by +Hoffmann von Fallersleben, composed for male chorus by F. L. In +any case I shall be glad if Kahnt can bring the little thing out +soon, and will give some sort of illustrated title-page, +expressive of the sense of the poem. + +The remarks which I have added in pencil are to be engraved with +it. I hope the printer will be able to read my bad writing--if +not will you be so kind as to make it clear to him? + +I am writing to Vienna today. The "Prometheus" parts and score +will be sent to you immediately. + +I expect Bronsart here at the end of this month..--. + +Your statute-sketch is in all essential points as judicious as it +is practical. It offers a sure basis of operations for the next +Tonkunstler-Versammlung, where assuredly the great majority of +the members will agree with your proposals. Then the point will +be to work on vigorously towards the accomplishment, and to put +aside the much that is "rotten in the State of Denmark." + +Before the Euterpe concerts begin I shall in any case see you. +Next Sunday I go to Sondershausen, where Berlioz' "Harold," a new +Oboe Concerto by Stein, Schumann's "Genoveva" Overture, the +Introduction to "Tristan and Isolde," and my "Mazeppa" will be +given. The latter piece is popular to wit...in Sondershausen!-- + +Very sonderhauslich, [A play on the words Sondershausen and +sonderbar = strange] isn't it? + +Hearty greetings to your wife from your + +F. Liszt + +P.S.--The ninth song by Cornelius is still wanting. [The song +"Wieder mocht' ich Dir begegnen" ("Once again I fain would meet +thee")] But in the meantime the printing can be going on. The +nine numbers form the seventh part of the "Gesammelte Lieder." If +Kahnt wishes, each song can be published separately, especially +the Zigeuner; Nonnenwerth, etc. + +Draseke has been with me a couple of days, and is coming shortly +to you. His works captivate me in a special degree, and +personally I am very fond of him, which indeed I also was +formerly, but this time still more. Capacity and character are +there in abundance. + + + +242. To Eduard Liszt + +Weymar, September 20th, 1860 + +The true and loving character of your whole being, as well as of +your letter, dearest Eduard, touches me always with joy, and +fortifies me; but with your letter of today is mingled also +somewhat of sadness. It is conceivable that the ebb of the +Milanese and Hungarian Civil Service employes, with its effect on +Vienna, has acted as a check upon your very justifiable and well- +founded prospects of promotion. This is all the more to be +regretted as, years ago, I was assured many times from a +trustworthy official source that your suitability and deserts +were far above the official position that you hold. Without +wanting to preach to you unseasonably, let me assure you of my +sincere sympathy in the disappointments you have so undeservedly +to bear, and remind you also how things generally go badly in +this world with the better and best sort of men. One must not let +oneself be embittered by bitter experiences, and one must bear +all sorts of mortifications without mortification. + +I will also repeat for your amusement a droll saying of General +Wrangel's: "A man should never vex himself;--if there must be +vexation anywhere, let him rather vex somebody else!"--The best +way, in case of extreme necessity to vex others, is to bear +imperturbably many an injury and unpleasantness--without +prejudice to any defense or help that may offer, when opportunity +occurs--for we were not born to sleep our lives away!-- + +Under the given circumstances one cannot do otherwise than agree +with your resolution to let your son go into the Military Academy +when he is eleven years old. May this young Franz bring you all +the happiness that your older Franziskus wishes you from his +innermost heart.--[He did not become a soldier, but the renowned +Professor of Law now teaching at the University of Halle.] + +In the expectation of this we will comfort ourselves by +swallowing Pfefferoni and Paprika together with Gumpoldskirchner. +Have I ever told you how excellent the latter, which you had +chosen just right, tasted? + +It is almost impossible to further B.'s affairs. You think it +would be right to let his drama be examined by a "competent +authority." Undoubtedly; but that will not help him, so long as +this competent authority, who here could be none other than +Dingelstedt, is not able to help him any further. As far as I +know our Intendant he will NOT condescend to perform King +Alphonso; but none the less I will speak to Dingelstedt about it, +and will prevail on him first of all to write a few lines to B., +as the rules of courtesy demand. I scarcely hope to effect more +than this, glad as I should be if it happened so, for you know +that I am glad to show myself obliging. It is doubtful also +whether B. will have much better chances with other Intendants-- +for, as it seems, the good man has decidedly bad luck. Please +make my excuses to him if I do not answer his letter other than +by a silent condolence (in German Beleidsbezeugung!).--It has +become horribly difficult nowadays to make a footing on the +boards--"which signify the world"--especially for writers of +classic tragic-plays, whose lot is far more a tragic than a +playing one!--Things certainly are not much better with most of +the Opera composers, although that genre is the most thankful one +of all. Without a strong dose of obstinacy and resignation there +is no doing anything. In spite of the comforting proverb +"Geduldige Schafe gehen viele in den Stall," [The English +equivalent seems to be "Patience and application will carry us +through."] there is for the greater number and most patient of +the sheep no more room in the fold, to say nothing of food!--Thus +the problem of the literary and artistic proletariat becomes from +year to year more clamorous. + +Your orchestral concert plan has surprised me very much, and I +thank you from my heart for this fresh proof of your energy and +goodwill. Yet for this year I think it would be more judicious to +pause, for several reasons which it would lead me rather too far +to explain, and which, therefore, I prefer to reserve for a viva +voce talk. They relate to (A) my personal position and something +connected with it socially; (B) the position of musical matters +among artists and in the Press, which not only influence but +intimidate the public, disconcert it, and palm off upon it ears, +with which it cannot hear. This temporary very bad state of +things I think I have, alas! at all times quite rightly +acknowledged, and, if I do not greatly mistake, it must surely +soon perceptibly modify in our favor. Our opponents "triumph far +more than they conquer us," as Tacitus says. They will not be +able to hold their narrow, malicious, negative, and unproductive +thesis much longer against our quiet, assured, positive progress +in Art-works. A consoling and significant symptom of this is that +they are no longer able to support their adherents among living +and working composers, but devour them critically while the +public is so indifferent. The resume of the whole criticism of +the opposition may be summed up in the following words: "All the +heroes of Art in past times find, alas! no worthy successors in +our day." But our time will not give up its rights--and the +rightful successors will prove themselves such! + +More of this when we have an opportunity. You have doubtless +heard that a similar plan to yours is in progress in Leipzig. My +friend Bronsart undertakes the direction of the Euterpe concerts +for this winter, and there will be some rows about it. We will +await the result; if it should not be satisfactory, yet the +matter is so arranged that it cannot do us any great harm. As +regards Vienna I think it would be wisest to let this winter pass +by without troubling ourselves about it. Messrs. B., V.B., and +their associates may peacefully have Symphonies and other works +performed there and mutually blow each other's trumpets. + +I have still a request to make to you today, dearest Eduard. +Persuade Herbeck to send the score and the chorus and orchestral +part of my "Prometheus" at once to C.F. Kahnt, the music +publisher in Leipzig. The work is fixed for performance at one of +the Euterpe concerts, which will take place before Christmas of +this year; so it is necessary that the choruses should be studied +in time. Kahnt has already written to Herbeck and also to Spina-- +but as yet he has received neither an answer nor the parts and +score of Prometheus that he wants. + +Take the same opportunity of telling Herbeck that I should like +once to hear the four Schubert Marches which I instrumented for +him, and I beg him to send the score of them to me at Weymar. + +Forgive me that I always trouble you with all sorts of +commissions--but my Vienna acquaintances are so lazy and +unreliable that I have no other alternative but to set you on +everywhere..--. + +Heartfelt greetings to your wife and children from your faithful +and grateful + +F. Liszt + +P.S.--I have written something to Cornelius about my latest +compositions, which he will tell you. + +I expect the Princess here in October only. I will tell you, +later on, much about her stay in Rome, some of which is +agreeable. + + + +243. To Hoffman von Fallersleben + +My dear, honored Friend, + +The melancholy tidings were reported to me by Grafe on Monday +evening (in the New Weymar Verein). [Hoffmann, after he had +obtained in May, 1860 the position of librarian to the Duke of +Ratibor at Schloss Corvey, near Hoxter-on-the-Weser, lost his +wife.] It came upon us all with a most mournful shock, and truly +it needs no further words to assure you of my heartfelt sympathy +in your grief!--Thank you for having thought of me. The Princess, +who was always so attached to your dear good wife, has not yet +returned from Rome--and I do not expect her till towards the end +of November. Unfortunately I must remain here entirely until +then--otherwise I should assuredly come at once to you...Forgive +me, therefore, that only from afar can I tell you how sincerely +and truly I remain your faithfully attached friend, + +F. Liszt + +October 30th, 1860 + +I have sent your charming birthday gift for October 22nd (text +and music) to the Princess. + + + +244. To Professor Franz Gotze in Leipzig + +Dear, honored Friend, + +Do not think me indiscreet if I say something to you about which +you yourself must know best. The artistic gifts of your daughter +are as rare as they are pronounced. I have heard her sing and +declaim several times in the last few days, and each time with +increasing interest. Will you not give her carte blanche, and +grant your consent to the artistic career which is hers by nature +and which can hardly be put aside? [Liszt, like others, was +laboring under the mistake (for reasons which cannot be discussed +here) that Gotze did not intend his daughter to pursue the career +of an artiste, though he had had her educated both as a singer +and dramatically.] I know that this may not be a very easy +decision for you,--but, much as I usually refrain from giving +advice of this kind, yet I cannot do otherwise than make an +exception in this case, and intercede with you to let your +daughter come out in public--because I am convinced that you will +not regret having supported her with fatherly compliance in this. + +Dr. Gille much wishes to gain your daughter for the next concert +in Jena. I think that a debut there would in any case do her no +harm. Later on I shall ask you whether you will allow Auguste +shortly to appear here at a Court concert. + +Excuse my interference in so delicate a matter by reason of the +sincere interest I take in your daughter, and the faithful +friendship with which I remain Your unalterably sincerely +attached + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, November 4, 1860 + +Send a telegram to Gille in reply--if possible, "Yes," as the +concert takes place next Sunday. + + + +245. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +.--. I take a sincere interest in the progress of the Euterpe +concerts--a progress which up to now has been favorable on the +whole; you have the chief merit in this, just because it rests +with you to neutralize difficult and opposing elements. + +I rejoice much that Bronsart so thoroughly fulfills my +expectations. He is a director-gentleman ["Gentleman" put in +English by Liszt]. I shall hear more about the concerts through +Weissheimer [A composer; was for some time second director of the +Euterpe concerts], who is advertised here for the day after +tomorrow; until now I have only heard something about them from +Fraulein Hundt [A composer, at that time in Weimar; has since +died] yesterday. + +With best greetings, yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, November 16th, 1860 + +Will you be so kind as to send me at once a couple of copies of +Muller's new brochure? + +.--. If it is possible to hurry the bringing out of my seventh +book of songs I shall be glad. Also the "Vereins-Lied." + +Give my most friendly greetings to Gotze--and at the same time +tell him that his daughter (of whose great artistic powers there +is no doubt) sang and declaimed last Sunday in Jena with the +greatest success. The vocal numbers were "two songs by Schumann," +one of which was encored--and at the end of the concert she +declaimed the Ballade Leonore (with my melodramatic pianoforte +accompaniment). + +Have you heard anything of Wagner? Rienzi is being studied here, +and I have undertaken to conduct the rehearsals. With regard to +the performance I have at once mentioned decidedly that nothing +will induce me to make an exception and conduct it--consequently +Musik-director Stor will conduct it. + + + +246. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Since I have again had a conference with respect to the +Tonkunstler-Versammlung in Weymar next August, I am happy to be +able to tell you that not only will there be no obstacle to it, +but that we may expect that much will be done to further the +matter here. In your next announcement in the Neue Zeitschrift +about the Tonkunstler-Versammlung you are therefore fully +authorized to intimate the readiness of the artists, both vocal +and instrumental, here and in the neighborhood (Jena, Eisenach, +Sondershausen, etc.), as also the favorable disposition of H.R.H. +the Grand Duke, for the matter. This latter point must be +mentioned with some formality, so that I can submit your article +to my gracious master. + +According to my opinion it would be well if, in this connection, +you were to touch upon the musical antecedents of Weymar +(performances of Wagner, Berlioz, Schumann), also the founding of +the Academy of Painting by the Grand Duke which took place +lately, and also the protectorate which H.R.H. has undertaken of +the Allegemeine deutsche Schiller-Stiftung [The Universal German +Schiller Scholarship] (the first place of which is to be Weymar +next year). + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +December 2nd, 1860 + +P.S.--With the next Tonkunstler-Versammlung I join three +principal things:-- + +(1) The founding and establishing of the Tonkunstler-Vierein. + +(2) That the States should take part (according to your idea) in +the principal musical interests to be supported. + +(3) The introduction and proposal of the projected music school. +[Liszt was endeavoring at that time to found a music school in +Weimar.] + + + +247. To C.F. Kahnt, Music Publisher in Leipzig + +[Kahnt was the publisher of the Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik for +more than thirty years (ever since 1855); also the publisher of +several of Liszt's compositions, co-founder and for many years +cashier of the Allgemeine deutsche Musikvereins, and, after 1873, +Councillor of Commission in Weimar.] + +Dear Sir, + +I send you herewith the proof-sheets of the seventh book of my +songs, and of the "Vereins-Lied" for the chorus of men's voices. +I quite concur in the new title-page, which can also be employed +for each single song. It is better than the former one, only I +shall be glad if there are no other advertisements on the back +side, and it is left bare. + +On the 17th of this month the Neu-Weymar-Verein intends to give a +little Beethoven-Festival, and the "Vereins-Lied" is included in +the programme. I beg, therefore, that you will send me some +proof-copies by the 12th December--if it is not possible to get +the edition ready so soon.--. + +The three Chansons and arrangement of the three Quartets for +men's voices (published in Basle) are all completed in my head; +you shall have them as a new manuscript at the end of the week. +There is no hurry about the publishing of the Chansons and +Quartets (probably I shall entitle them "Aus dem Zelt," or "Aus +dem Lager," three songs, etc.). ["From the Tent," or "From the +Camp." They were eventually entitled "Geharnischte Lieder" +("Songs in Armour").] But as you are kind enough to place some +reliance on my songs, I should like to commit to you next a +little wish of mine--namely, that my Schiller Song (which +appeared in the Illustrated in November last) may soon be +published, and also a somewhat repaying (rather sweet!) Quartet +for men's voices, with a tenor solo--"Huttelein, still and +klein." It has been already sung with success by the Vienna +Manner-Gesangverein, and by some Liedertafeln. I add the two +manuscripts to the parcel of proofs--perhaps you will take an +opportunity of trying both the little things in a small circle. +If Herr Professor Gotze would have the kindness to undertake the +solo-part in the "Huttelein" I should be very much obliged to +him. Herr Wallenreiter might make a good thing of the baritone +solo-part in the "Schiller Song." + +In case you should be disposed to acquiesce in my wish, and to +undertake the publishing of the two or three men's choruses, I +would propose to you to bring them out as the opening numbers of +a short succession of "Compositions for Male Voices," and also, +as with the Songs, to give them a title page (with a statement of +the different numbers--to which the Basle Quartets might also be +added; thus six numbers up to now). Do not fear, dear sir, an +over-productiveness in this genre on my part! But if by chance +one or other number of these Quartets should have some spread, I +should not dislike to write a couple more, either secular or +sacred. Among the latter I hope that the Psalm "The Heavens +declare," which will be performed next summer at a great Festival +of Song, will produce a good effect. + +Pray pardon my verbosity--it is not usually my way to indulge in +unnecessary words; and accept, dear Sir, the assurance of the +well-known sentiments with which I remain, + +Yours most truly, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 2nd, 1860 + +The first performance of "Rienzi" is announced for the second day +of the Christmas holidays. I have engaged to conduct the +rehearsals, but at the same time have positively refused to +conduct the performances. Herr Musik-director Stor undertakes +that. [After the opposition of a coterie that was inimical to +Liszt, to which, as is well known, Cornelius's "Barber of +Baghdad" fell a sacrifice, Liszt had finally resigned his post as +conductor of the theater.] + + + +248. To the Music Publisher C.F. Kahnt + +.--. With regard to the publishing of my Songs for men's voices I +do not wish in the least to hurry you, dear sir--yet I should be +glad if you could advertise the things soon--and possibly on the +back of the title-page of my songs (?), if that does not seem +impracticable to you. The two collections (the songs and the +men's songs) have a certain connection, and that is why I make +this suggestion, about which you must decide. A couple of months +ago Louis Kohler wrote to me in his witty, friendly manner, "You +really owed us some Quartets for men's voices, which Bierbruder +["Beer-drinkers," "brothers of the glass"] metamorphosed into +demi-gods!" and when the songs were published, I was already +intending to let the men's songs follow shortly after. As most of +these latter are tolerably short, I think that the score of the +twelve will not require more than forty, or at the most fifty, +plates (small size). Economy might be employed in publishing the +parts by having them well copied. Of course engraving is always +the best, but I do not want to precipitate you into a too ruinous +outlay--and if the copying is done by an experienced copyist it +looks very well, and is quite easy to read. + +I am writing to Schuberth by the next post to tell him (what he +might know without that) how unwillingly and how seldom I meddle +with dedications--especially dedications to people and societies +that I don't at all know, as he would like me to do! In the +somewhat numerous works of mine that have appeared of late years +you will find very few dedications. The twelve Symphonic Poems +have none. The Gran Mass is also without one--and in the Songs I +have left out the earlier dedications. Therefore, before I try in +America a method which I have almost given up in Europe, some +time may yet elapse. Schuberth means thoroughly well by me, for +which I am obliged to him--but he means well in his own way, +which cannot always be mine. + +May I beg another little favor of you? At the Court concert on +the 1st January I should like to let the Reiter-Marsch of F. +Schubert (not Julius!), which I instrumented, be performed, and I +have no longer either the score or the parts. You would lay me +under an obligation if you could quickly send them to me. I have +never heard the piece; and as it has already been given with +success in Vienna and Leipzig I may almost venture to expect that +the company here may be bold enough to go half-way in the same +direction!-- + +Possibly I shall also attempt the Mephisto Waltz the same +evening, as well as a couple of my orchestrated songs. (I may +mention, by the way, that I have orchestrated six songs of +Schubert's--"the Erlkonig, Gretchen, the junge Nonne, the +Doppelganger, Mignon, and Abschied"--and three of my own-- +"Loreley, Mignon, and the three Zigeuner." Later on, if a weak +moment should come over you, I should be glad to impose these +three latter upon you in score--but you shall hear them first.) + +A thousand apologies for all this random talk about compositions, +and best greetings from yours in all friendliness, + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, December 19th, 1860 + + + +249. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +Your article "For the New Year" is most capital and worthy of +you. In three places I would merely venture to propose some +slight alterations for your consideration. You will find them +marked + and with the letters A, B, C. + +At + A it would suit things better to say as follows: "Concert- +rooms and theaters, the scene of the most palpable speculation, +personal passion, and severing struggles." Or, if you think the +word "most palpable" too strong, let us put another, such as "the +commonest" or "the most mercantile speculation," etc. + ++ B, instead of opinion, "the most affected assumption" Here +there is more question of assumption than of opinion. If +angenommen [affected] sounds too much like Anmassung +[assumption], let us put "the widespread assumption." + ++ C, instead of "outward forces," I would rather have another +word, such as "powers," "factors," "levers," or any one that is +better. I do not know why the "Machle" [forces] do not seem to me +quite right here. + +Finally, + D, I think it would be advisable ruthlessly to strike +out the following short sentence: "Indeed it would not be saying +too much if it were to be asserted that in many circles it takes +the place of religion,"--apart from the consideration of whether +it is accurate or not, because for the most part the men of the +State are sure to take offence at it. "How," they will say, "you +wish us to support a movement that aims at nothing less than the +doing away with religion?"--and, behold, there is a new bugbear +ready, and the most healthy and just endeavors are checked for +many a year!-- + +I am in perfect agreement with all the rest, with the exception +of the parenthesis marked *--"without thereby, as has often been +the case hitherto, falling into the unpractical mistake of +conceding to the public things which they do not want, and +diminishing the revenues." For, by the way, let me also say +parenthetically that, if I had not done this with most resolute +intention for many years, Wagner could not truly have said in his +letter to Villot (page 40 of the French edition of his +translation of the four Operas): "Tout a coup mes relations avec +le public prirent un autre tour, sur lequel je n'avais pas compte +le moins du monde: mes operas se repandaient." ["All at once my +relations with the public took a fresh turn, on which I had not +calculated the least bit in the world: my operas were becoming +known." + +Both on this account and for other reasons I think this +parenthesis dangerous, and can in no wise subscribe to it! + +With friendliest greetings, your sincere + +F. Liszt + +December 19th, 1860 + +I have written a long letter to Kahnt today. In case he cannot +read my writing, will you be so good as to help him with it? + + + +250. To Felix Draseke + +You have again encouraged and rejoiced me, my excellent friend, +by your affectionate comprehension of my meaning and endeavors in +the "Dante" Symphony. + +Once more my heartfelt thanks for it. Later on, when "Hamlet" and +the "Hunnenschlacht" are published, please do not refuse me the +special satisfaction of publishing the whole of your articles on +the Symphonic Poems in the form of a pamphlet. We will speak +further of this by word of mouth, and possibly a few musical +examples could be added to the earlier ones. + +How far have you got with the "Loreley"?--Only take hold of the +witch with tender force.--Geibel has lately brought out his +opera-text to the "Loreley," and several composers are already +setting to work on it (or under it). In the present state of +things there is not much to be expected from effusions and feeble +attempts of that kind. On the other hand I am expecting something +great, beautiful, and magical from the Symphonic form into which +you will shape this story--a story which just as easily becomes +dry and tedious as, on the other hand, it can be melting. Take +care that we bring your work to a hearing at the next +Tonkunstler-Versammlung (in July-August) here. + +O. Singer's "Entschwandenes Ideal" ["Vanished Ideal"] is full of +music; noble in conception and powerfully worked out. I shall +write to him shortly about it, and send him my seventh book of +songs, as you told me that he rather liked the earlier ones.-- + +An excellent little work by our friend Weitzmann lies before us +again: "The New Science of Harmony at Variance with the Old." The +"Album Leaves for the Emancipation of Fifths" as a supplement are +stirring; and the "Anthology of Classical Following Fifths," with +quotations from Hiller and Hauptmann,. is especially instructive. +In Harmony, as in other things, it is no longer a question of +reforming what has been laid aside, but rather of the fulfilling +of the law.------ + +On any day, my dear friend, you will be heartily welcome to + +Yours very gratefully, + +F. Liszt + +December 30th, 1860 + +Towards the middle of January I am going to Paris or a couple of +weeks to see my mother (who is still constantly ill). + + + +251. To Dr. Franz Brendel. + +[Beginning of January, 1861] + +Dear Friend, + +A thousand thanks for your letter, and still more excuses that I +have delayed so long with my answer. On New Year's Day we had a +grand Court-concert--on the top of which there was a banquet at +the Erbprinz, which lasted till four o'clock in the morning; on +the other days perpetual dinners and suppers, at which I was also +obliged to be present. Besides all this, the final revision of my +second concerto (and a couple of smaller piano pieces) occupied +me much. Schott had undertaken the publication of them, and I did +not wish to annoy him by letting the somewhat numerous +alterations which had to be made in them wait to be corrected +until the proofs were printed, etc., etc. + +From all the transitions and connection of the movements (which I +am now most carefully working out in the Concerto), I pass at +once without transition to the answering of your questions. + +1. I think Bronsart's engagement for next year at four hundred +thalers is advisable. + +2. If Weissheimer has really made himself impossible, Damrosch +should be the next one to be thought of, as a colleague of +Bronsart. There is no hurry about this affair, and we will talk +over it again viva voce. + +3. The remaining four hundred thalers for X. I will send you at +the end of this month. If you should require them sooner write me +a couple of lines. + +4. The question of leave of absence is not easy to decide, so +long as no definite date is fixed for the concert. Frau Pohl, for +instance, had had leave once already--but then the date of the +concert was altered, and in consequence of her absence it was of +no use. For the rest I don't doubt that Frau Pohl can get leave +of absence once more--I only beg you to let me know definitely +the day, so that I may inform Dingelstedt of it. + +5. With regard to the co-operation of Messrs. v. Milde and +Singer, it has its difficulties. They are both not without +scruples in regard to the Euterpe, which, though they do not say +so in so many words, might be summed up as follows: "If we co- +operate in the Euterpe, we shut the golden doors of the +Gewandhaus in our faces, and injure ourselves also in other +towns, in which the rule of the Gewandhaus prevails. Ergo, it is +more desirable, prudent(!), for us to act..." The rest you can +add for yourself. Milde complains of the thanklessness of the +part in the "Sangers Fluch," ["The Singer's Curse," by Schumann] +the awful cold of the winter season, all the disagreeables in +connection with obtaining leave, etc. Singer does not know what +piece to choose, and also the E string of his violin is not quite +safe, and more of that kind. + +6. Fraulein Genast is in a still worse position, for she is not +quite independent of the intimidation (on classical grounds) of +her father, and is, moreover, engaged for the next Gewandhaus +concert (for the part of the Rose in Schumann's "Rose's +Pilgrimage"). None the less she said to me from the beginning +that she was perfectly ready to do whatever I thought advisable. +In view of this surmise I must naturally be all the more +cautious. She sings on the 22nd in Zwickau, on the 24th +(probably) at the Gewandhaus, and on the 31st in Aix-la-Chapelle. +I have therefore advised her to come to an understanding with you +herself personally in Leipzig on the 23rd, and to co-operate with +you by preference as a singer of Lieder (with pianoforte +accompaniment) at the soiree of the Euterpe on the 29th. +Yesterday evening I marked the following three songs for her, as +the most suitable for the purpose:-- + +A. "The Pilgrimage to Kevlaar" (composed for E. Genast lately by +Hiller, and still in manuscript). + +B. A song of Rubinstein's: for instance, "Ah! could it remain so +for ever!" (Tender allusion to the Gewandhaus!) + +C. The three Zigeuner (by me). + +The three songs would make up two numbers of the programme.-- + +I especially beg of you, dear friend, not to make any protest +against the song of Hiller. The plainly fair and just thing, +which has nothing in common with the "elevated right" which is +bestowed exclusively on Capellmeister Rietz and his associates +(as the Leipzig University expressed it), consists simply in not +shutting the door to publicity in anybody's face, or maliciously +and slyly casting stones and mud at him. Regardless of the fact +that we must not expect that they on their side will deal thus +with us, we must consistently and faithfully carry out and +fulfill this simple justice and fairness, and thus show the +gentlemen how people of a nobler mind and more proper cultivation +behave. You perhaps remember the opinion which I have many times +given and proved by actions--especially at the Versammlung- +Versammlung, when Frau Dr. Reclam sang Hiller's (somewhat +mediocre) Psalm, and...etc. After that I vote especially for the +performance of one of Rubinstein's larger works, such as the +proposed Symphony, and beg you to appoint Bronsart for it.--It +would lead me too far to explain my views in detail; that I have +no concessions or favoritisms in view in this matter goes without +saying. + +7. The co-operation of the violinist recommended by Schuberth +must be considered, and even qualified, according to his talent. + +8. "Tasso" can quite well be performed without the harp. A +pianino will do quite well, and I beg you most earnestly not to +put yourself to any inconvenience for my things. In my orchestral +works I have taken the larger measure of instrumentation (Paris, +Vienna, Berlin, Dresden--or, if you prefer personal names, +Meyerbeer, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Berlioz); but in spite of this +most of them can be performed in smaller proportions, as has been +most strikingly shown, for instance, in Sondershausen. The chief +thing before all else is the conductor; if he be a good and +reliable musician things may then be well managed in a variety of +ways--and in "Tasso" especially the harp is hardly wanted. So +don't bother yourself any more about it, and soothe Bronsart. + +If I am not mistaken, I think I have now answered all the +principal questions in your letter. As to what concerns personal +matters we will talk about that shortly. I shall write one of +these next days to Schuberth (as soon as I have finished my +revisions for Schott). He has made me a proposal to which I am +inclined to agree. [The rest of the letter is missing.] + + + +252. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear friend, + +I expressly wish that Weissheimer should accompany the songs +which Fraulein Genast will sing at the Euterpe soiree. I have +especially commissioned him to make the motive of this wish of +mine, if necessary, still clearer to you. With regard to the +choice of songs you will easily come to an understanding with the +amiable singer. But I, for my part, hold to the opinion that +Hiller's "Wallfahrt nach Kevlaar" is well suited to the +programme. + +The "Faust" Symphony must be written out quite fresh once more +before I send it to Schuberth. By the 15th February he will +receive the manuscript, together with a couple of lines for +Dorffel, who is almost indispensable to me as the corrector of +this work. I shall be over head and ears in work the next few +weeks, in order to do all that is necessary before I start on my +journey to Paris, which I shall probably do on the 20th February. + +Best thanks for all the information in your last letter. Some +things, indeed most things, are still going very badly--upon +which we cannot and must not make ourselves any illusions;--but +if we are proof against these things we shall come out of them. + +Before and after Lowenberg (in the middle of February) I shall +come and see you in Leipzig. + +Meanwhile hearty greetings and thanks from your + +F. L. + +January 20th, 1861 + +You shall have the small sum for X. in the course of the week. + + + +253. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear friend. + +By yesterday's post I sent you-- + +A. The score of the second act of the "Flying Dutchman"--and two +orchestral parts of the duet (these latter in order that the +copyist, in writing it out, may guide himself by these, and may +not add the terzet-ending, as it stands in the score--Weissheimer +will give Thumler the exact speed). Beg Thumler to send me the +score back soon, as it may possibly be wanted at Easter in the +theater. + +B. The last part (Mephistopheles and final chorus) of the "Faust" +Symphony in score--and the complete arrangement of this same +Symphony for two pianofortes. + +Will you be so good as to give these manuscripts to Schuberth? I +hope he will keep his promise and not delay the publication of +the work. At the end of this week I will send Schuberth the score +and the four-hand piano arrangement of the two Faust-episodes +("Der nachtliche Zug" "The Nocturnal Procession")--and the +"Mephisto-Waltz"). I should be glad if these two things could +come out in the course of this year. + +C. For Kahnt, the small score of the chorus "Die Seligkeiten" +["The Beatitudes"], which I also hope may soon be published. It +has been given here a couple of times in the Schloss orchestra +and the parish church, and, as I have been told many times, has +been spoken of in an exceptionally favorable manner. I have +written few things that have so welled up from my innermost soul. + +I think I shall be ready with the revision of the "Prometheus" +score by next Saturday. I have already made two arrangements (for +two and four hands, not two pianofortes) of the Reapers' Chorus, +which I give Kahnt gratis. He shall get the whole packet early +next Monday at the latest. Weissheimer tells me that the edition +of the score shall be ready by the middle of July. If Kahnt +prefers to let the Prometheus be copied, I have nothing to say +against it; I only beg that in this case he will employ a very +clever and exact copyist-and, as I have already told him, that he +will preserve the size of the other Symphonic Poems. + +N.B.--The division and distribution of the score--so that there +may be as few unnecessary rests as possible, and that, where it +can be done (as, for instance, at the beginning of the Tritons' +Chorus, the Reapers' Chorus, etc), two sets of staves should be +printed on one page--I beg that this may be entrusted to Herr +Dorffel. I also do not wish the work to look like a conductor's +score on the outside!--and, before it is given into the hands of +the engraver or copyist, it is necessary that the parts where two +sets of staves come on to one page should be clearly indicated. +My copyist here has made a very careless scrawl of the +"Prometheus" score, and I have therefore taken other work out of +his hands, and have given him a good scolding. But there is no +time to have a new score written, and therefore Dorffel must +largely help out with the matter. + +N.B.--The piano arrangement must be put below the score, as it is +in the manuscript. + +Kahnt can publish the arrangement of the Reapers' Chorus sooner +or later, as he likes. The date of the Tonkunstler-Versammlung +can remain fixed for the 15th August. I think it would be +advisable for you to come soon to Weymar (perhaps at Easter), and +to come to a direct understanding with Dingelstedt, M[usic] +D[irector] Montag, and some others among those who are +principally concerned in the matter. + +I would propose to you Dr. Gille, in Jena, as a lawyer, and a +zealous co-operator in this affair. He is very ready to help, and +reliable.-- + +Are you really thinking of still giving the "Prometheus" at the +Tonkunstler-Versammlung? It certainly would not be incompatible +with the "Faust" Symphony (which I wish for in any case)--but I +fear that it will bring in its train too much vexation and +annoyance. + +We will speak further about this. + +Weissheimer will tell you some things with regard to the +programmes. + +Riedel ought to conduct Beethoven's Mass. + +With heartfelt greetings, your + +F.L. + +Weymar March 4th, 1861 + +P.S.--Advise Schuberth once more to bring out the book of songs +by Lassen immediately--as he promised me. + + + +254. To Peter Cornelius in Vienna + +Your letters, dearest friend, are ever a joy to my heart, as also +this time on the 2nd April [Liszt's name-day]. Although on that +day I felt the absence of the Princess the most keenly, and the +Altenburg was for me equally perturbed, yet the loving attachment +of a few friends touched and filled me with comfort. Remain ever +to me, as I remain to you, faithful and steadfast, trusting in +God!-- + +Unfortunately I have been able to do but very little work this +winter. Revisions and proof-correcting took up almost my whole +time. The two last Symphonic Poems, "Hamlet" and the +"Hunnenschlacht," will come out directly. I will send them to +you, together with a dozen Quartets for men's voices which Kahnt +is publishing. By the end of July the choruses to "Prometheus" +and the "Faust" Symphony will also be out. If we should not see +each other sooner, I count on you, for certain, to be here for +the Tonkunstler-Versammlung (5th, 6th, 7th August), to which I +give you, dearest Cornelius, a special invitation. I hope that +Eduard, [Liszt's cousin] Tausig, Porges, Laurencin, [Count +Laurencin, a writer on music in Vienna] Kulke, Doppler, [Franz +Doppler (1821-83), a flute virtuoso; music-conductor at the Royal +Opera in Vienna. He arranged with Liszt some of the latter's +"Hungarian Rhapsodies" for orchestra.] are coming--and I beg you +to give them a preliminary intimation of my invitation. The next +number of Brendel's paper will give the programme--with the +exception of the third day, which cannot be fixed until later. +Perhaps you will give us a fragment of your "Cid." In any case I +wish your name not to be wanting; and, if you should not have +anything else ready, a couple of numbers from the "Barber Abul +Hassan Ali Eber" shall be given. The charming canon at the +beginning of the second act would be the best. + +I am delighted to think that you have been entirely absorbed for +a time in "Tristan." In that work and the "Ring des Nibelungen" +Wagner has decidedly attained his zenith! I hope you have +received the pianoforte arrangement of "Rheingold" which Schott +has published. If not I will send it you. You might render a +great service by a discussion of this wonderful work. Allow me to +stir you up to do this. The summer days allow you now more +working hours; realize some of these with "Rheingold." The task +for you is neither a. difficult nor a thankless one; as soon as +you have seized upon the principal subjects representing the +various personages, and their application and restatement, the +greater part of the work is done. Let us then sing with Peter +Cornelius,-- + +"O Lust am Rheine, Am heimischen Strande! In sonnigem Scheine +Ergluhen die Lande; Es lachen die Haine, Die Felsengesteine Im +Strahlengewande Am heimischen Strande, Am wogenden Rheine!" + +[Free translation,-- + +"O joy of the Rhine And its homelike shore! Where the bright +sunshine Gilds the landscape o'er; Where the woods are greenest, +The skies serenest, In that home of mine By the friendly shore Of +the billowy Rhine!"] + +On the 30th of this month I am going to Paris for a couple of +weeks--and towards the end of May I shall meet my daughter Cosima +in Reichenhall, where she has to go through the whey-cure. Thank +God, she is again on the road to recovery! You can imagine what +grief took possession of me when I saw Cosima last winter +suffering from a similar complaint to Daniel!-- + +I have satisfactory tidings from the Princess from Rome. The +climate is having a very beneficial effect on her nerves, and she +feels herself, in that respect, far more at home than in +Germany... + +She writes wonders to me about the last cartoons of Cornelius, +[The celebrated painter was the uncle of the addressee.] and her +personal relations with the great master have proved most +friendly. + +What will become of me in the latter part of the summer does not +yet appear. But let us hold fast to our meeting again here at the +beginning of August. + +Yours from my heart, + +F. Liszt + +April l8th, 1861 + +A thousand hearty greetings to Tausig. + + + +255. To Hoffmann von Fallersleben + +Dear, excellent friend, + +I have received the enclosed note for you from the Princess. It +comes to you with my most heartfelt greetings. Please forgive me +for not having this time sent you my good wishes on the 2nd +April; [Hoffmann's birthday, and at the same time Liszt's name- +day] but as long as the Princess's absence lasts I recognize only +sorrowful anniversaries and no festivals of rejoicing. Meanwhile +rest assured that I think of you always with faithful friendship, +and remain ever truly devoted to you. + +F. Liszt + +April 18th, 1861 + +P.S.--I send you herewith the "Vereins-Lied"--and three other of +your songs. + + + +256. To Peter Cornelius + +[Autograph in the possession of Constance Bache.] + +Dearest Cornelius, + +Will you quickly sign the accompanying announcement to the +Tonkunstler-Versammlung with your good, beautiful name? You must +not fail me on this occasion in Weymar! + +And yet another request, dearest friend. Will you go and see F. +Doppler and tell him that I very much wish he could arrive with +you on the 4th August at latest? I hope he will not refuse me +this pleasure--and if it is not inconvenient to him will he also +bring his flute and undertake the part in Faust? + +With regard to the travelling expenses I have already written to +my cousin Eduard; he is to put a couple of hundred florins at +your disposal; for it goes without saying that neither you nor +Doppler will be allowed to spend a groschen out of your own purse +for the journey. + +You will meet Eduard here--and also Wagner, Hans, Draseke, +Damrosch, Tausig, Lassen, and my daughter (Madame Ollivier). + +To our speedy meeting then, my best Cornelius! + +Bring your "Cid" with you as far as it is done, and kindly +dedicate some days to your heartily devoted + +F. Liszt + +Weymar, July 12th, 1861 + +P.S.--Shortly after the Tonkunstler-Versammlung I shall be +leaving Weymar for a long time.—- + + + +256A. To Peter Cornelius + +[Autograph in the possession of Constance Bache. This letter was +left out by La Mara, but is inserted by the translator.] + +Dearest Cornelius, + +I have just been told that the score of the "Barber of Baghdad" +is not in the theater library here, as I thought, but that you +have kept it. + +I can therefore no longer keep it a secret from you that I am +intending to give the Terzet [Canon] from the beginning of the +second act at the third concert (7th August) of the Tonkunstler- +Versammlung, and I have not the smallest doubt as to the capital +effect that this exquisite piece of music will produce. + +But do send me by return of post the score of your "Barber." + +The Terzet is a necessary integral part of our programme, which +will consist of the "performance of manuscript works of the +present day."-- + +With heartfelt greetings, your + +F. Liszt + +July 14th, 1861 + + + +257. To Alfred Dorffel + +My dear Sir, + +Whilst giving you my warmest thanks for the great pains you have +taken with the "Faust" score [as corrector of the score] I have, +in conclusion, one more request to make. + +I wish to modify the prosody of the passage in the tenor solo, + +[Here, Liszt writes a 4-measure music score excerpt of the treble +portion of the piece at the point where the words, "das Ewig +Weibliche" are sung.] + +each time, just as I have written it on the accompanying note- +sheet. If I mistake not, it would in this way be more singable +and weiblicher [more womanly]. [Referring to Goethe's words "Das +ewig Weibliche" ("The eternal womanly")] + +Accept, my dear sir, the assurance of my highest esteem and most +friendly gratitude. + +F. Liszt + +Weyar, July 18th, 1861 + +P.S.--The "Faust" Symphony is to be given here on the 6th August. +Perhaps it would be possible to you to be present at that +concert, and to give me the pleasure of a visit from you. + + + +258. To Hofconcertmeister Edmund Singer in Stuttgart + +Dear Friend, + +The article in the Allgemeine Zeitung on the Tonkunstler- +Versammlung (12th August) is an event, and I thank you sincerely +for the part you have taken in it. [It was written by Singer.] + +Although, as you know, I must on principle keep myself +unconcerned as regards criticism, as I cannot allow it the first +word in matters of Art, yet it has long been my wish to see the +"systematic opposition" to the present incontrovertible tendency +(or, better, "development") of music not exclusively represented +in the Allgemeine Zeitung. Just because this paper is not a +merely local, but an European and intellectually historical one, +did the local aversions and the diatribes of the island "Borneo" +appear to me far more inadmissible than in other papers. The +reporter of the Tonkunstler-Versammlung has taken an important +step towards agreement; may he continue to work with us yet +further! + +The Altenburg has been closed and locked up since last Sunday-- +and in a few hours I am leaving Weymar for a long time. In the +first place I shall spend some weeks with my patron, Prince +Hohenzollern (who is musically very well disposed!), at +Lowenberg. I intend to take up again there and quietly to carry +on my work which has been too long interrupted. My promised +contributions to Herr Stark's Pianoforte School must also soon be +taken in hand. Meanwhile remember me most kindly to Herr Lebert, +[Professors at the Stuttgart Conservatorium. For the great +Pianoforte School edited by Lebert and Stark, Liszt wrote the +concert-studies "Waldesrauschen" and "Gnomenreigen."] and assure +him that I am most anxious to discharge the task allotted to me +in a satisfactory manner. + +Pohl has promised me that he will soon send you the "Prometheus" +and "Faust" notices that you want. For the rest you don't require +any further explanation to enable you satisfactorily to instruct +the public in these things. As I am pressed for time I must only +give you for today once more my best thanks, and remain + +Yours in all friendship, + +F. Liszt + +August 17th, 1861 + +My best greetings to your wife. + + + +259. To the music publisher, C.F. Kahnt + +Don't be alarmed, dear sir! Once more a manuscript of mine is +coming to you. "Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen, Am Ende +Schiffer und...Kahnt!" [A quotation from Heine's poem "Die +Loreley," set to music by Liszt: + +"I fear me the waters engulfing +Are drawing the boatman beneath,-- +'Tis Loreley, with voice enchanting, +Who lures him on to death! + +Liszt makes a play on the words Kahn (a boat) and Kahnt (the +publisher).] + +The pianoforte transcription of the "Loreley" has cost me more +trouble than I expected. But I hope therefore that it has not +succeeded badly. Let a clean and correct copy be made of it by a +reliable musician (Corno perhaps?) [August Horn in Leipzig, whom +Liszt held up as being "very exact and reliable."] before you +give the little piece into the engraver's hands. N.B.--The words +are to be engraved with it, as in the Vienna edition of my +transcription of the Schubert Songs. + +As regards the publishing of the scores of my three songs-- +"Loreley," "Mignon," and the "Zigeuner"--I leave them entirely to +your pleasure or the reverse, as also the size of the edition +(whether larger or smaller--but in any case, not quite full +size)..--. + +I shall be staying at Lowenberg up to the 8th September. + +I beg that you will send the final proof of "Loreley" to Herr von +Bulow--and also the second edition of "Mignon" in time, which is +to be engraved from the score left behind by Brendel--for voice +and pianoforte accompaniment (without instrumentation) in the +first place--as you were kind enough to promise me. + +With best greetings, your obliged + +F. Liszt + +Lowenberg, August 27th, 1861 + + + +260. To Dr. Franz Brendel + +Dear Friend, + +A musical scribble that I had promised, and which I wished to +finish here, and various little excursions in the neighborhood, +have prevented me from answering your letter sooner. + +The Prince [Of Hohenzollern-Hechingen] continues to show me the +same amiable friendship as ever, so that it is hard to me to +leave Lowenberg. Seifriz will write you word a couple of weeks +beforehand to which concert your coming here would be most +advantageous. The concert season does not begin till November, +and, with the exception of the winter months, when the musical +performances take place, a great proportion of the members of the +orchestra is absent. His Highness adheres always firmly and +faithfully to the endeavors of the "New German School," and is +desirous of supporting it still further. On this account I think +it would be desirable to elect Seifriz as a member of the +Committee of the Allgemeane Deutsche Musikverein. I also vote +especially for Stein (of Sondershausen), Eduard Liszt, Herbeck, +Ambros, David--without a word against the rest of the names which +you have proposed. + +As regards the other points of your letter I write as follows:-- + +1. I believe that N.'s reliability and extensive influence in the +affairs of the Mozart Society are a bit hypothetical. You find +out more exactly what he is likely to accomplish. + +2. I will undertake with pleasure the examination of the +manuscripts and the decision as to what works shall be performed +at the general assembly--but please do not give me the title of +President, but simply the name of Reporter or Head of the musical +section. + +3. I entirely agree with the intention of distributing Pohl's +["On the Tonkunstler-Versammlung in Leipzig in 1859."] pamphlet +gratis to the members of the Society. + +Of course the two speeches by yourself and Draseke must be +included in it. Should it be necessary, I will gladly contribute +a few thalers towards the publication. + +4. According to my opinion the Society should not be placed under +the protection of the Grand Duke "until everything is ready." +According to what he has said to me there is no doubt about his +acceptance of it, but still it is indispensable that you should +write to H.R.H. about it. Pohl and Gille will be the best to help +you in composing the letter to the Grand Duke, and perhaps they +will sign their names to it also. Later on we shall have to +discuss in what form and fashion other German Princes are to be +invited to give their countenance to the Society-or not. + +5. Wagner's photograph has unfortunately been locked up in the +Altenburg against my wish. I cannot therefore be of any help with +it--and can only advise you to write to Wagner himself, in order +to learn which of his likenesses would be the most suitable for +publication in the Modenzeitung. + +.-.I shall be in Berlin by the evening of the day after tomorrow, +and shall probably stay there till the 24th-26th of this month. +May I also beg you to remind Pohl of his promise to send me my +arrangement of the Dance of Sylphs (from Berlioz' "Faust")? I am +now wanting this little piece, of which I did not keep any copy. +It is the same with my arrangement of the "Tannhauser" Overture, +which I left behind with Pflughaupt. Get Pohl to send me the +Dance of Sylphs and the "Tannhauser" Overture as soon as possible +to Bulow's address in Berlin. I will then send him my thanks in +writing, and will quietly wait for the catalogue of music in his +possession out of my library (which he wanted to send me some +days after my departure!). + +How is it with regard to Damrosch's leadership of the orchestra +at Weymar? Pohl must tell me all about it. + +Has Bronsart's marriage taken place yet? + +If it is not giving you too much trouble, I should be glad to +receive the pamphlets, marked with red pencil, by Bronsart, +Laurencin, Wagner, and Ambros, while I am in Berlin. The +publication of Zellner's brochure on "Faust" shall meanwhile be +left to the geniality and munificence of Schuberth. A propos of +Lassen's songs (which Schuberth boasted that he should bring out +so quickly that last evening he was with you!), the first book +only--say three songs!--and not the second, has come out, +although Schuberth presented me with two books, relying on my +being absent-minded and preoccupied! But he has such an +extraordinary talent for tricks of that kind that it would be +almost a pity if he did not exercise it here and there!.-. + +With friendliest greetings to your wife, + +Most faithfully, + +F. Liszt + +Lowenberg, September 16th, 1861 + +[Shortly after this Liszt departed from Lowenberg. He took the +road which the Princess Wittgenstein had gone before him, and +went, by way of Paris, to Rome.] + + + + END OF LETTERS OF FRANZ LISZT, VOL. I. + + + + + +INFO ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION + +This volume of "Letters of Franz Liszt" is the first volume of a +2-volume set. The letters were selected by La Mara, and +translated into English by Constance Bache. The edition used was +an original 1893 Charles Scribner edition, printed in America. +Each page was cut out of it and fed into an Automatic Document +Scanner to make this e-text; hence, the original book was +fragmented in order to save it. + +Some adaptations from the original text were made while +formatting it for an e-text. Italics in the original book were +ignored in making this e-text, unless they referred to proper +nouns, in which case they are put in quotes in the e-text. +Italics are not easily rendered in ASCII text, and in the +original book they generally do not seem to add much to Liszt's +expression. + +Also, special German characters like U with an umlaut, and French +characters like a's and e's with various markings above them were +ignored, replaced with their closet single-letter equivalents. U +with an umlaut is U, A with a caret above it is A, and so on. +Words altered include Gotze, Tonkunstler, Gluck, Handel and +Bulow, among others. + +In addition, the English spellings of words like "honour," +"colour," "humour" and "theatre" were changed into American +equivalents like "honor," "color," "humor" and "theater." + +This electronic text was prepared by John Mamoun with help from +numerous other proofreaders, including those associated with +Charles Franks' Distributed Proofreaders website. Special thanks to S. +Morrison, R. Zimmerman, K. McGuire, A. Montague, M. Fong and N. Harris +for proof-reading, and also thanks to B. Schak, D. Maddock, C. Weyant, +M. Taylor, K. Rieff, J. Roberts, K. Peterson and others. + +This e-text is public domain, freely copyable and distributable for any +non-commercial purpose, and may be included without royalty or +permission on a mass media storage product, such as a cd-rom, that +contains at least 50 public domain electronic texts, whether offered +for non-commercial or commercial purposes. Any other commercial usage +requires permission. The biographical sketch was prepared for this e- +text and is also not copyright and is public domain. + + +Use of the Project Gutenberg Trademark requires separate permission. + diff --git a/3689.zip b/3689.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..74e51c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/3689.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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