accompanies it, recalls to me the saying, "La joie fait peur."
[Abranyi, who was the Secretary of the Festival Committee which
had been formed for the celebration of Liszt's Artist-Jubilee in
November 1873 at Budapest, had in their name invited Liszt to
take part in this.] Nevertheless I could not suit myself to the
role of a coward; I will therefore endeavor to surmount my fear
and to make myself worthy to share with my brave compatriots in
the joy they have prepared for me.
I beg you, in your capacity of secretary of the Festival
Committee, to present my most grateful thanks, in good Hungarian,
to the most illustrious and most reverend President, Monseigneur
Haynald, [The Archbishop of Kalocsa, afterwards Cardinal, Liszt's
friend of many years. (Being interested in the present
collection, he promised to contribute to it the letters addressed
to him "by the great artist and noble man." His death
unfortunately prevented the fulfilment of his promise, and the
Archiepiscopal Chapter of Kalocsa did not accede to the request
of the editor to be allowed to have these letters.)] and to the
members of the Committee.
Baron Augusz had written me word that he would come here in the
middle of September, to be present at the "Festspiel" [Festival
Play] at the Wartburg. He shall soon receive news from me from
Rome, where I shall arrive on Sunday. Schuberth is sending you
the score and the piano score of the "Christ," together with the
biographical notices for which you asked me. My cousin Eduard
will send you the "postscript" immediately.
Cordial friendship and fruitful collaboration.
F. Liszt
Weimar, October 1st, 1873
Herewith the programmes of the 2 concerts at Sondershausen at
which I was present. This afternoon I start for Rome,--and on the
1st November shall be at Pest.
137. To Martha Remmert
[A pupil of Liszt's; became later Kammervirtuosin (court-pianist)
in Weimar, and lives now in Berlin.]
Pest, December 27th, 1873
Dear Fraulein,
The best "solution" in reply to the ministerial order lies in
your hands. Merely play the first page of Henselt's Concerto and
no one will doubt that I am very kindly disposed towards you. And
I shall be glad to render you further service in your zeal for
study and your ambition as a virtuosa. No matter whether I be in
Pest or in Weimar.
In all friendliness yours,
F. Liszt
138. To ?
[Autograph without address or date in the possession of Count
Albert Amadei in Vienna.--According to him the letter belongs to
the year 1873.]
Very dear Fraulein,
Please reply at once per telegram:--"Please do not come.--Liszt
does not need or wish to be heard, as he has no one for whom he
must strike up."
Tomorrow evening more by word of mouth.
Sincerely yours,
F. Liszt
Monday
139. To Countess Marie Dunhoff in Vienna
[Sketch of a letter in the possession of Herr O. A. Schulz,
bookseller in Leipzig.--The addressee, the wife of the German
ambassador Von Bulow, lives now in Bucharest.]
[Beginning of January, 1874]
Dear Countess,
You speak to me so eloquently of the merit, talent and
superiority of Madame L.B. that I am quite ashamed of not
fulfilling her wish subito. But in reality that would be more
difficult than she imagines; a "petit morceau de piano" would
only be a small part of the matter; the public is a very exacting
master, even in its days of favor; the more it gives the more it
expects...
Half a dozen such requests as that of Madame L.B. have been
addressed to me at Vienna this week. How can one suffice for such
a business, which, be it said in passing, is at once outside and
far beyond my duties?--At my age one must try to behave
reasonably, and to avoid excess; I shall therefore limit myself
in Vienna to the one concert of the "Kaiser Franz Joseph
Stiftung," [Emperor Francis Joseph Scholarship] which reasons of
great propriety, easy to understand, have led me to accept with
alacrity. I am told that it will take place on Sunday, 11th
January; so be it: I shall willingly conform to the arrangements
of the Committee and have no other wish in this matter than...not
to inconvenience anybody. [The concert for the "Emperor Francis
Joseph Scholarship" did not take place till April; and Liszt did
actually play, in the Easter week, for the Countess's protegee,
though not in the Concert Room, but in the Palais Auersperg.]
Permit me to hope, dear Countess, that you will not, under the
pretext of "discretion," inflict upon me the immense punishment
of seeing you less often this time than formerly, and that you
will not retract any of your kindness, on which I place the
greatest store.
A thousand and a thousand sincere and most respectfully devoted
expressions of homage.
F. Liszt
140. To B. Bessel, Music Publisher in St. Petersburg
Horpacs (Chez le Comte Szechenyi), February 2nd, 1874.
Dear Sir,
Pray excuse me for being so late in thanking you,--you and all
those who signed the telegram sent to Pest on the occasion of my
jubilee fete. I am deeply touched with the noble sentiments it
expresses with a chivalrous eloquence, and beg you to convey the
tribute of my most sincere gratitude to Messrs. Balakireff,
Borodine, Cui, Moussorsky, Rimski-Korsakoff, Scherbatcheff, and
Stassoff.
You were kind enough, Sir, to let me see several of their works
at Weimar; I appreciate and esteem them highly, and as far as
depends on myself I will do all I can to make them known, and
shall feel honored thus to respond to the sympathetic kindness
which brave colleagues such as these accord to
Their very devoted
F. Liszt
141. To Professor Skiwa in Vienna
[Printed in the Signale, 1874, No. 20.--Skiwa had dedicated his
"Beitrage zur Literatur des Harmoniums" ("Contribution to
Harmonium Literature") to Liszt.]
Very Dear Sir,
Kindly excuse the delay in my sending you my sincere thanks,
which I shall very shortly take the liberty of expressing to you
personally in Vienna. I shall then also ask you to do me the
favor of making me more intimately acquainted with your excellent
transcriptions. In reading them through one at once observes the
author's masterly style and his care and artistic handling of the
characteristic peculiarities of the harmonium, especially in the
management of the basses and the mid-voice parts. But still the
mere reading your transcriptions does not satisfy me, and I
should like to hear them, so as to be able fully to enjoy them.
Herr Bosendorfer will bring you the manuscript of the
"Consolation," the dedication of which is very acceptable to me.
The transcription of this small piece into A major appears to me
very appropriate, and the arrangement excellent.
With marked esteem and friendly thanks,
F. Liszt
Pest, March 2lst, 1874
142. TO C. F. Kahnt, the Music Publisher
[Published in the Neue Zeitung fur Musik, 14th September, 1892.]
Dear Friend,
The day after tomorrow I again go to Vienna, and remain there
about a week. In case the "Prometheus" proofs are ready send them
to me to my usual address ("Schottenhof bei Hofrath E. v. Liszt")
by the middle of Easter week; after that my address will be
rather uncertain, as I intend spending a few days in Pressburg
and Kalocsa (with Archbishop Haynald), and do not return here
till after April 20th. Hence, if the "Prometheus" proofs are not
ready within the next few days, do not send them till after my
return to Pest (April 21).
Please send the proofs of Mihalovich's songs as soon as possible
to the composer, addressed to
"Servitenplatz, im Teleky'schen Haus."
The Vienna concert in the "Palais Auersperg" is announced for
Easter Monday, April 6th. The following Sunday, or at latest on
Sunday the 19th April, the concert of the "Kirchenmusik-Verein"
is to be given in Pressburg, at which I take a part in piano-
playing--it is to be hoped for the last time this year!--
I think of remaining here from April 2lst to the beginning of
May, and then of wandering straightway to Rome, and to the Villa
d'Este.
I wish you in all friendliness a happy Easter, with satisfactory
business at the Easter's fair, and remain your sincerely attached
F. Liszt
Pest, March 29th, 1874
Have you sent Countess Oriolla the omitted copy of the "Wartburg
Songs"?
143. To Dr. Franz Witt
[1874?]
I look forward with eager interest to the realisation of your
scheme to found a Catholic School of Music. The numerous and
important services you have rendered as composer, conductor,
teacher, promoter and president of the Cacilien-Verein proclaim
and mark you as pre-eminently fitted to organize and direct this
highly important kind of School. I should wish that Hungary, my
fatherland, might set a good example, and might offer you, my
very dear friend, an honorable and influential post in the Musik-
Akademie that was voted for last year in the Chamber. This wish
of mine was seconded with cordiality by His Eminence the Cardinal
Primate, His Excellency the Archbishop of Kalocsa, Haynald, and
H. E. Trefort, the Minister of Public Instruction. Various
political circumstances interfered with the plan of starting a
Musik-Akademie in Pest; but the idea has by no means been given
up, and I have still the hope that you may yet at some future day
be called upon to give your powerful assistance in connection
with the teaching and practice of Church music in Hungary.
144. To Professsor Carl Riedel
Dear Friend,
As at all preceding Tonkunstler-Versammlungen, you have again
this year in Brunswick done the best that was possible. [The
Meeting took place in Halle, instead of in Brunswick.] Five
concerts sound almost alarming, but the programmes are drawn up
and arranged with so much forethought and care that your master-
hand and that indescribable "with avec" (as dear Frau Dr. Pohl
called it) are at once to be recognised. It certainly was
advisable to check the "democratic movements" of the orchestra
without interfering with the well-meant "command." That the
Sondershausen set continue to prove themselves reliable and
friendly I am delighted to hear. I wish all possible success to
Erdmannsdorfer's "Schneewittchen." The youthful and captivating
Frau Kapellmeisterin Erdmannsdorfer is especially capable of
doing justice to Raff's Trio (or Concerto) and other pianoforte
pieces. [Pauline Fichtner, who married Erdmannsdorfer, was a
pupil of Liszt's, and became court-pianist at Weimar and Hesse.]
Will Bulow be able to be present? We have not written to each
other for some time past. Do you know where to address him just
now?
In case my Faust Symphony is given at the 5th concert (as your
programme announces), I beg you to ask Bulow to be conductor.
This work has become his property since he conducted it so
magnificently at the Weimar Tonkunstler-Versammlung ('61), when
the whole orchestra was amazed and astounded at his fabulous
memory. You will remember that not only did he not use a score,
but at the rehearsal referred to the numberless letters and
double letters with unerring accuracy.
With regard to two other matters I wish: A, that Steinway may
have the kindness to lend one of his excellent harmoniums for the
Hunnenschlacht, and that the instrument may be so placed as to be
invisible to the public and yet distinctly heard. B, that the
performance of the Sanctus from the Mass for men's voices be
taken from the editio nova (published a few years ago by Hartel),
and not from the earlier edition. Here, too, Steinway's harmonium
would render excellent service, visible and placed close to the
chorus. Perhaps our friend Stade would have the kindness to play
the harmonium part of the Hunnenschlacht and of the Sanctus.--
I truly regret that I shall not be able to hear that sublime,
grand and overpowering Requiem by Berlioz, nor to attend the
Musical Festival in Brunswick. I am physically and mentally very
exhausted, and need several months' rest; besides my remaining
away from Weimar forbids me from meanwhile visiting any other
German towns.--Before the middle of May I shall go direct to
Rome, and remain there till the end of the year in my former
residence at the Villa d'Este (3-1/2 hours from Rome).
With friendly greetings to your wife, I remain, Yours ever in
esteem and sincere attachment,
F. Liszt.
Pest, April 17th, 1874
Accept my best thanks for cancelling my promise to Metzdorff (in
regard to the performance of his Symphony).
I agree perfectly, of course, with your desideria fog the Musik-
Verein, and hope next year to be able to contribute something
towards their realisation.
"In patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras."
To Kahnt I wrote at once on my return from Pressburg on Monday.
145. To Dom-Capellmeister [Cathedral Conductor] Dr. Franz Haberl
in Ratisbon
[This letter, like the subsequent one to Haberl, is a copy of the
draft of a letter of Liszt's by Dr. Mirus in Weimar.--Haberl is a
distinguished musical scholar (born in 1840).]
[1874?]
Pardon me if I again come with claims upon your kindness. You may
know that I am working at an Oratorio on St. Stanislaus, and
perhaps might be able to give me some assistance with it by
communicating to me the liturgic hymns referring to the feast of
St. Stanislaus. The Enchyrydion and Directorium Chori designate
the Mass, Protexisti, etc., on May 7th. To receive fuller
information from you on this point would greatly oblige me.
[Haberl also gave Liszt aural communications regarding the
Stanislaus legend. "On one occasion," says Haberl, "Liszt was
specially and greatly delighted to hear of the man whom
Stanislaus summoned out of the grave as a witness that the field
had been paid for, and gave me a sketch of his proposed motives
and tone pictures."]
Pray accept, reverend Sir and friend, the expression of my marked
esteem, and believe me yours gratefully and sincerely,
F. Liszt
146. To Professsor Carl Riedel
Dear Friend,
Herzogenberg's [Formerly Director of the Leipzig Bach-Verein,
then Kiel's successor at the Berlin Hochschule, which post he
lately resigned.] "Deutsches Liederspiel pleases me very much.
The very first chorus with its mixed species of tempi 6/4-3/2 and
6/4-3/2 is fresh and pithy, and the whole work seems to me.
excellent, pleasant and effective. Hence I should much like to
recommend its being performed.
Where does Herzogenberg live? Has he any appointment anywhere?
Let me know, when you can, something of his former and present
work.
(N.B.--It would be worth while, later, carefully to arrange the
"Deutsches Liederspiel" for orchestra.)
I observe with special pleasure that Grutzmacher has chosen a
Suite of St. Saens'. St. Saens will not, however, be able to
come,--the less so as a few years ago his appearance in quite a
harmless concert in Baden-Baden brought down upon him hideous
rebukes and reproaches from the Parisian Press. And the tone in
France is not yet more temperate; still it is right that German
artists should prove themselves fair and just towards foreigners,
and, as long as Auber's and Gounod's Operas are given in all
German theaters, I see no good reason against considering and
performing other works by French composers. Among modern
composers I regard St. Saens as the ablest and most gifted.
I am much satisfied with the choice you have made of my things,
dear friend, and thank you cordially for it--at the same time I
must express my sincere regret that I am unable to attend the
Tonkunstler-Versammlung, and remain, with much esteem, yours most
sincerely,
F. Liszt
Pest, May 5th, 1874
147. To Princess Julie Waldburg at Castle Wurzach
Madame La Princesse,
I feel that I am quite inexcusable. You have been so kind as to
send me some charming Lieder, and to accompany them with the most
gracious lines in the world. How could I fail to thank you for
them immediately? What rusticity!--Deign to think of this no
longer, Princess; and permit me not to "judge" your songs,--
magisterial competency would fail me utterly,--but to tell you
that I have read them with much pleasure. The one of which the
style and impassioned accent please me particularly is dedicated
to Mme. Ehnn--"Liebeshoffnung"; but I do not mean to depreciate
the others.
The oriental interval of the augmented fourth, which I scent in
the "Mondlied," would be written, I think, more simply thus:--
[Here, Liszt writes a 2-bar musical score excerpt]
and further on
[Here, Liszt writes another musical score excerpt]
(C instead of B-sharp). And to prove to you, Princess, my
attention in reading your works, I will venture to observe to you
that in the French Romance "Comme a vingt ans" the prosody is
neglected in the third couplet. Instead of the printed version
(with two syllables omitted) it should run something like this:--
[Here, Liszt writes a 7-bar musical excerpt at the point where
the words "Je vis le len--de--main, non plus au hord de l'onde
mais as--si--se as che--min la jeune fi--le blonde" are sung.]
If I still had, as in Vienna, the honor of finding myself in your
neighborhood, I hope you would grant me a word of indulgence; and
meanwhile, Madame la Princesse, I venture to beg you to accept
the most respectful homage of
Your very humble and inexcusable servant,
F. Liszt
Pest, May 10th, 1874
148. To Peter Cornelius
Dearest Friend of my Heart,
Again a request. You alone can help me, and give me in German a
faithful poetical rendering of Lamartine's "Hymne de l'enfant a
son reveil."
Years ago I used to sing this hymn, from my inmost heart, to my
three children; you remember them...
And now the composition (what an unknown word for it!) is to
appear in print, and the publisher Taborszky in Pest will send
you my manuscript together with a copy of the poem. In case any
prosodical alterations should seem appropriate, be kind enough to
write them down distinctly in notes on a separate sheet of paper.
Tomorrow I travel direct to Rome, and shall spend the summer and
autumn in the Villa d'Este (Tivoli). There, at length, our
"Stanislaus" shall be pushed forward. [Cornelius translated the
text to the Oratorio "Stanislaus."]
With friendliest greetings to all your circle, I am, dearest
Cornelius, ever your heartily devoted
F. Liszt
Pest, May 16th, 1874
149. To A.F. Eggers in Liverpool
[From a copy of the draft of a letter by Dr. Mirus, Weimar.]
[Villa d'Este, June 21st, 1874]
Dear Sir,
Your friendly communication rests upon a harmless mistake. You do
not seem to know that for 26 years past I have altogether ceased
to be regarded as a pianist; hence I have for a long time not
given any concerts, and only very occasionally played the piano
in public, for some very special reason, to aid some charity or
to further some artistic object, and then only in Rome, Hungary
(my native country), and in Vienna--nowhere else. And on these
rare and very exceptional occasions no one has ever thought of
offering me any remuneration in money. Excuse me therefore, dear
Sir, that I cannot accept your invitation to the Liverpool
Musical Festival, inasmuch as I cannot in any way think of
wearying the public with my "whilom" piano-playing.
Respectfully yours,
F. Liszt
150. To Walter Bache
Dear and Honored Friend,
I am often with you in kindest remembrance and cordial sympathy
with your admirable efforts, but unfortunately I rarely get any
letters written to the friends I value most, for my time is
wasted with a number of wearisome and useless notes. I have just
despatched one of this sort to a Mr. E. in L. The good man
invites me to the Festival to be held there, asks me to consider
the matter, and even offers me a remuneration in money for
playing--without imagining that I have anything else or better to
do than to accept such invitations. To me concert tours would be
absolutely senseless; to fulfil my duties in Pest and Weimar
gives me trouble and interruptions enough. All the other things
need not be enumerated.
The summer and autumn (till my return to Pest in January '75) I
mean to spend here quietly and at work. Last Monday and Tuesday I
had the special pleasure of a visit from Bulow. And we thought of
you in all friendship.--Bulow is now going to Salzungen (near
Meiningen) for a couple of months, to recover from the terrible
fatigues of his concert tour, and next October goes again to
London.
Remember me most kindly to Mr. Dannreuther with assurances of
faithful attachment, and do me the favor to give the enclosed
notes of thanks to Messrs. Hueffer and Gounod.
Our very able and dear patroness, Madame Laussot, told me that
you, dear Bache, will probably soon be wandering towards Italy.
A hearty welcome, therefore, to the old place where again is
resting your old and sincere friend,
F. Liszt
June 2lst, 1874
(Villa d'Este,--Tivoli, per Roma--Italia.)
151. To Dr. Franz Witt
[Villa d'Este, Early Summer, 1874.]
Much-esteemed Sir and Friend,
The lively recollection I entertain of the truly edifying Church-
music performances in Eichstatt under your direction [On the
occasion of the 3rd General Assembly of the Cacilien-Verein in
Eichstatt, August 1871] increases my regret that I am unable to
accept your friendly invitation to the 5th General Assembly of
the Cacilien-Verein in Ratisbon (between the 1st and 7th August)
[The Assembly was held on the above-mentioned days.]. A wearisome
piece of work will keep me here till my return to Pest in January
'75. Next summer, however, I hope again to pay you a visit, and
to gather excellent precepts and examples from you. Meanwhile I
am reading your Essays with peculiar satisfaction, and more
especially your com-positions in the "Musica sacra" and the
"Fliegende Blatter." "Fliegend" [flying] must here be taken in
the higher, angelic sense; in the latter sense O salutaris hostia
sounds altogether comforting Musica angelorum, such as pleasantly
animates all your Church tone-works.
152. To Dr. Franz Haberl
[A portion of this letter is printed in Dr. Mirus' brochure, "Das
Liszt-Museum in Weimar" (1892), which contains many interesting
relics of Liszt.]
[Villa d'Este, Early Summer, 1874.]
Much-esteemed Sir and Friend
To my sincere regret I find myself prevented from attending the
Cacilien-Verein in Ratisbon.
The efforts and performances of the Verein I follow with the
deepest interest, and anticipate that its promoters--who are so
capable, careful and learned--will accomplish all that is truly
of advantage in Church music. And in this Ratisbon has for many
years past deserved to rank first, and you, my much-esteemed
friend, deserve the fullest recognition that can be offered for
the abundant services you have rendered in the cause. Accept my
grateful thanks for kindly sending Vittoria's Missa pro
defunctis, [A six-voiced Requiem given by Dr. Haberl at the 5th
General Assembly of the Cacilien-Verein in Ratisbon in 1874, and
published in the "Musica divina," Annus II., Tom. I, by Pustet]
which was brought to me by the Chaplain of the Anima Church. Will
you be so kind as to get Herr Pustet to send me also, through
Leukoch, [Perhaps ought to read Leuckart?] "Mannuale breve
canticum," etc.? [A little book of Chorales by Joh. Georg
Mettenleiter]
In spite of the grievous news of your continued sufferings I do
not give up the hope of seeing you here again soon, and of taking
all friendly care of you; and you shall not in the least degree
be troubled or wearied; merely recruit from your over-exertions
by living simply and comfortably amid quiet and congenial
surroundings.
Hence I take the liberty again of inviting your Reverence to
spend the next months with me here in the Villa d'Este, where you
will find rest, quiet and cosiness, mild air, glorious scenery,
pleasant walks, good eating, good wine, books, music, pianos to
make use of ad libitum, and a temperature mentally agreeable.
Cardinal Hohenlohe requests me to say that you will be heartily
welcome, and this message is communicated with unmixed pleasure
by your very respectful and sincerely grateful
F. Liszt
153. To Edmund von Mihalovich
Very Dear Friend,
Your Prologue to the Nibelungen in course of performance at the
Walhalla-Roszavolgyi has royally amused me. [A joke of
Mihalovich, who had nicknamed several mutually known people with
the names and characters out of the Nibelungen] I wish that
Wagner may find in Messrs. Betz, Scaria, Niemann, etc.,
interpreters as well suited to their roles as Richter-Wotan,
Dunkl-Loge, Abranyi-Thor and Gobbi-Mime.