send his extremely poetical portrait of Frau von Moukhanoff here
soon in honor of the noble lady and of the musical Commemoration
Festival which we have announced for the middle of May. [Liszt
dedicated an Elegie to the memory of this gifted lady.]
Tomorrow morning early I go to Hanover; my address there till May
29th [This must mean the 29th April.] will be: "at Freiherr von
Bronsart's, Intendant of the Hoftheater." On Saturday is the
performance of the "Elizabeth," and on the 29th the concert for
the benefit of the Bach monument.
My gracious Grand Duke is very urgent about my speedy return; I
shall, therefore, probably spend only 8 or 10 days at Schloss Loo
(from the 2nd to the 12th May), and then return here forthwith.
The Tonkunstler-Versammlung is to be held in Dresden at the end
of June. I long for some rest and quiet work.
Thine with all my heart,
F. Liszt
Weimar, April 22nd, 1875
167. To Adelheid Von Schorn in Rome
Dear Excellent One,
I come to keep you company a little in your convalescence,--far
advanced, I hope, so as to be something like a complete cure. For
a tisane [A soothing drink] I offer you some news of your cara
patria. There are few variations at Weimar: the Grand Duke and
Grand Duchess remain there till the end of June; the Emperor of
Russia is announced for the 25th June; the Hereditary Highnesses
are going to the waters (Marienbad and Pyrmont) in a few days,
and will return before the Grand Duke's fete (24th June);
Gutschen Watzdorf is going on his own account independently to
Carlsbad, Mme. de Loen to Reme (in Westphalia).
At the theater a tempered, but lively activity; during these
latter weeks a new Drama by Otto Roquette has been given--Der
Feind im Hause. [The enemy in the house.] The subject is taken
from the quarrel of the Colonna in Rome; the success of the piece
will not occasion any fresh quarrels; nor will that of two new
Operas that I have seen--Der Widerspanstigen Bezahmung [The
subduing of the refractory ones.] by Gotz and Golo of Scholz,
which have come inopportunely into competition with Schumann's
Genoveva--a work which has been taken up again with marked
success this year (after it had been prudently ignored for twenty
years--except at Leipzig and Weimar) at Leipzig and Wiesbaden.
Other theaters will mix themselves up with it, in spite of the
non-success of Genoveva at Vienna, where it was put on the stage
in the winter of '74 with a most praiseworthy luxury of
decoration and costumes.
At the time of the performance which I conducted, and that is
some twenty years ago, I said: Genoveva is musically the sister
of Fidelio; only Leonora's pistol is wanting.
Tristan and Isolde, announced here for the 15th and 19th
May,...have remained at Munich with M. and Mme. Vogel, who have
lost a child. Loen [The Weimar Intendant] and all the public are
very much put out at this untimely mourning; possibly the Vogels
will be able to come towards the end of June; I don't reckon on
it much, but have written to them on the subject at Loen's
request. If they accept, the Commemoration Matinee of Mme.
Moukhanoff will take place between the two performances of
Tristan, and the "Tempelherrenhaus" in our park has been chosen
by us as the spot for this musical commemoration. I will send you
the programme.
Meanwhile here is that of Saturday last at the "Orchestral
School"--a very useful establishment, well adapted to our
modestly proud situation of Weimar, and which Muller-Hartung
conducts according to my wishes. [The concert "in honor of
Liszt's first visit to the School" consisted entirely of works by
him.] Bruch's Odysseus--a musical illustration of Preller's
admirable pictures in the Weimar museum--was performed last
Thursday, conducted also by Muller-Hartung.
Lassen is in the middle of composing some fine choruses for the
two "Fausts," which Devrient is intending to get up here in two
evenings, in conformity with his new scenic arrangement.
Very cordially yours,
F. Liszt
Weimar, May 17th, 1875
168. To Eduard von Liszt
Dearest Eduard,
.--. The day after tomorrow I join the Duke of Weimar's party at
Schloss Wilhelmsthal, and shall remain there several days. After
that I should have liked to wait upon Cardinal Hohenlohe in
Schillingsfurst; but His Eminence is at present at Bad Ragaz
(Switzerland) undergoing some after-cure for a foot-trouble, the
result of some accident he met with last winter. When I receive
his answer I shall so arrange things that my visit to
Schillingsfurst is paid as is agreeable in tempore opportuno.
From the 3rd to the 15th August I shall be in Bayreuth; after
that I shall this year end with Weimar (without playing
"Tannhauser" there, as a guest!) at the Carl-August Festival on
September 3rd, for which I have written a short and simple chorus
in popular style, the text of which is furnished by King David:
"The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints, and light is sown
for the righteous."
In contemplating this light in all humility,
I am, in true affection,
Thine,
F. Liszt
Weimar, July 17th, 1875
Enclosed are a few words for our Marie. If I had to choose a
cousin I should choose her. Hence I confess my innermost
elective-affinity with papa and daughter.
Lenbach's wondrously inspired portrait of Madame Moukhanoff will
tomorrow be sent back to Vienna to the Countess Coudenhoven.
169. To Louis Kohler
Very Dear Friend,
Merit and success, in your case, would seem always to stand in
perfectly delightful harmony. Best thanks for your kindly letter
and for sending your Opus 147: "Technische Kunstler-Studien"
["Technical Artist-Studies"]. And although I am more disposed to
turn away from than towards Methods and Pedagogics, still I have
read this work of yours with interest. The entrance of the pedal
after the striking of the chords as indicated by you at the
beginning of page 3, and as consistently carried through by you
almost to the utmost extreme, seems to me an ingenious idea, the
application of which is greatly to be recommended to pianoforte
players, teachers and composers--especially in slow tempi.
I regret that we are geographically so far apart; but
sympathetically I remain in sincere esteem and in all
friendliness yours,
F. Liszt
Schloss Wilhelmsthal, July 27th, 1875
My friendly greetings to your very talented pupil Alfred
Reisenauer. Perhaps you may be coming to Weimar again shortly; I
should be pleased to hear this.
One line in your friendly letter I answer herewith: proud of my
Konigsberg title of doctor, and anxious to do it credit, I
willingly refrain from giving performances of my humble
compositions anywhere.
170. To Carl Hillebrand in Florence
[The celebrated author of "Zeiten, Volker und Menschen" ["Times,
People and Mankind"] and other works; born 1820; lived, from 1870
until his death, in Florence, where a memorial tablet, in
gratitude to his memory, was erected over his house in the Lung'
Arno.]
Dear and Very Honored Friend,
Your friendly letter leaves me a good hope...for next year. I
have just transmitted your thanks and the data relative to our
concerted idea to the Grand Duke, who arrived at Ostend on
Thursday last, with his daughters, his son and his daughter-in-
law. Their Royal Highnesses return to Weimar the 1st September
for the fete of Carl August, which the Emperor and Empress of
Germany will solemnise with their presence. Monseigneur tells me
to invite you to it. I observe to him that you will probably be
detained elsewhere; nevertheless, if you should come to Germany
at that moment, be assured that you will be warmly welcomed and
received at the Court of Weimar.
The monument of Carl August will be inaugurated on the 3rd
September. The ceremony of the "Toison d'Or" ["Golden Fleece"],
at which the Emperor will be the sponsor of his brother-in-law,
our Grand Duke, will take place on the 4th. Then T.R.H. will
leave Weimar, and my poor self return to the Villa d'Este
(towards the middle of September) for as long a time as my very
dear compatriots will allow of it. They press me strongly to
return to Pest on the 1st November; before obeying them I shall
come and see you at Florence.
Please count always on the feelings of sincere and high esteem of
your very cordially devoted
F. Liszt
Bayreuth, August 2nd, 1875
The papers keep you au courant of the marvels of Wagner's theater
here. The performances (announced for the month of August '76) of
the Tetralogy, "Der Ring des Nabelungen," will be the chief event
of dramatic Art, thus royally made manifest for the first time in
this century in its ensemble and unification of Poetry, Music,
Acting, and their decorations of Painting and mise-en-scene.
There is not merely the chance, but the guarantee of a grand and
striking success, in view of the sublimity of the work itself,
and also of the enthusiasm which it already excites amongst the
numerous staff of artists chosen to interpret it. In spite of the
difficulties of this new transcendental style of Wagner, the
preparatory study and rehearsals are an enchantment for the
singers and the musicians of the orchestra.
By the 18th August I shall be back at Weimar, and shall stay
there till the 6th September.
To Madame Laussot my tender and grateful regards.
171. To Adelheid von Schorn
Dear Excellent One,
It is not without regret that I have given up the very sincere
pleasure of meeting you now at Nuremberg. If you remained there
till towards the middle of September I should come and ask you
what commissions you have for Rome, where I expect to arrive
before the 20th September.
Here we are sailing in the full tide of the marvels of art. Every
day, morning and evening, one act of the "Ring des Nibelungen" is
rehearsed in Wagner's new theater. The enthusiasm of the whole
staff of singers and orchestral players, to the number of about
150, is as sincere as it is abundant, and everything augurs for
next year some prodigious performances of the immense and sublime
work which royally dominates all contemporary Art, including the
former works of Wagner.
Cosima sends you a thousand affectionate messages, and is
expecting to see you at the time of the definite succession of
the Nibelung-Ring in the month of August 1876. You were present
at the laying of the first stone of the monument, and must not be
absent at the crowning moment. .--.
Mme. de Schleinitz is staying here a fortnight longer, and is
living at the castle. She keeps herself continually at the
highest diapason of grace and charm, without ever missing the
opportunity of effectually obliging her friends.
A revoir soon, dear and very excellent one; and ever from my
heart your devoted
F. Liszt
Bayreuth, August 7th, 1875
I shall be back at Weimar by the 18th August.
172. To Dr. Franz Witt
[Probably August or September, 1875]
Much-esteemed Friend,
While greatly regretting to hear of your indisposition and
thanking you sincerely for your last letter, I now ask you: How
are you going to answer the ministerial communication of
Trefort?--Are you willing to render important help as regards
Church music in Hungary? Superfluous words are unbecoming to me;
let us onward and act; and may your noble and stimulating
influence be granted to Hungary. Assuredly you will find there
admiration, affection, and the necessary assistance in the great
services you will render.
In a word: Come to us, and let us work together in Budapest!
173. To Lina Ramann
[Authoress of "F. Liszt als Kunstler und Mensch" ("F. Liszt as
Artist and Man"), 2 vols. (Leipzig, Breitkopf and Hartel, 1880
and 1887)]
Dear Friend,
Thanks to your care I had excellent and very inspired company
during my two days' journey from Nuremberg to Rome. Your parallel
"Bach and Handel" delighted me more than the famous landscapes of
the Brenner. Allow me specially to praise your fine insight into
and correct interpretation of the various musical forms of
culture from the Motet to the Mass and the Oratorio.
Some portions also of the "Allgemeine musikalische Erzieh-und
Unterrichtslehre" [Universal Musical Instruction] pleased me--(in
spite of my inaptitude in things pedagogical), especially the
main idea of the work:--that musical instruction should not be
separated from, but form a part in, the course of education; a
relevant thought, the practical application of which will
essentially benefit, and prove useful to, art as well as
education.
Again my cordial thanks for the hours at Nuremberg, and best
greetings to the amiable comrades in art Fraulein Ida and
Auguste.
Yours respectfully and sincerely,
F. Liszt
Rome, September 28th, 1875
174. To Eduard von Liszt
Rome, September 29th, 1875
Dearest Eduard,
Wherever we may be we ever remain one in heart. Probably I shall
be in Budapest as early as the middle of November, on account of
the Musik-Akademie, which it is my duty to shape in accordance
with the standard of somewhat difficult local circumstances.
Appointments have already been made by the Minister Trefort:
Franz Erkel as Director, Volkmann as Professor of Composition,
and Abranyi as Secretary. Witt and Bulow had the first offers
from Trefort: unfortunately Witt is still too ill, and Bulow
could not come till later, after his return from America. Of
course Bulow would have received the largest possible sphere of
action--somewhat the same as he occupied in Munich, where, for a
couple of years, he acted as Director of the Conservatoire in the
most successful manner...
All hearty greetings to your circle, and believe me ever your
gratefully and sincerely attached
F. Liszt Address: 43, Vicolo dei Greci, Roma (Italia). Till the
beginning of November I stay here or at the Villa d'Este, and
then travel direct to Pest.
Pray send me news of our dear and amiable Marie.
175. To Kornel von Abranyi
Dear Friend,
A thousand thanks for your letter with its weighty contents.
[Abranyi had informed Liszt that the Hungarian Landes-Musik-
Akademie--which had been called into existence by Trefort, the
Minister of Education--had already been organised and was shortly
to be opened, and that Liszt was invited to the inauguration
ceremony.] All things considered, it does not appear to me
advisable to hurry my return. As I did this year, I mean next
year also to reach Pest towards the middle of February--in time
for Lent and the concert season. By that time the work at the
Musik-Akademie ought to have fairly established itself.
I gladly undertake to conduct a pianoforte-class for virtuosi and
teachers,--first of all from the 1st March to Easter 1876. And
should the undertaking give indications of proving a success, I
would be willing to devote several months a year to this species
of instruction in the Musik-Akademie of Budapest.
I look forward to being on the best and most cordial terms with
Erkel. [Franz Erkel (born 1810), a celebrated Hungarian composer,
at that time Director of the Musik-Akademie and Capellmeister at
the National Theater in Pest. Died 15th June, 1893] Also with
Volkmann and the other professors.
As regards the very worthy Secretary, I rejoice to labor with him
as next-door neighbor (on the Fischplatz, where assuredly we
shall not dry up "like fish out of water"), and remain always
His grateful and truly attached friend,
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, October 14th, 1875.
My friendly greetings, please, to Engessers, Zimay, Siposz, [All
were Hungarian musicians] and to our dear composer of the "Liszt-
Cantata," Gobbi.
176. To Walter Bache
Highly Esteemed and Dear Friend,
Hearty thanks for your kindly remembrance of the 22nd October.
With regard to the "Elizabeth" performance (at your "Twelfth
Annual Concert" on the 24th February) I am somewhat anxious on
account of the great exertions and expense which the performance
will entail upon you. Still I will not make any further objection
to your characteristically firm incorrigibleness in your
steadfast wish and endeavor to do the utmost possible for the
good of your old friend, now 64 years of age.
To Frau Blume (whom I often called upon in Rome) please give my
friendliest remembrances. If the part of Elizabeth does not
displease her she is certain to give an excellent interpretation
of it.
I am most glad to grant friend Banz the permission he desires,
and am grateful to him for his kindly sentiments.
Till the middle of February I shall stay here--and then go direct
to Budapest--and remain your faithfully attached
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, October 26th, 1875.
In case you receive direct news of Von Bulow, please let me know.
177. To Eduard von Liszt
Most Dear Friend,
Your letters are as full of heart as they are of mind. They both
comfort and exalt me. My prayers always include you. May the
"Supreme Spirit" strengthen us!
For me to appear at the opening of the Musik-Akademie in Pest on
November 7th, is, I think, neither necessary nor desirable. It
will be better that the undertaking (the official part of which I
did not call into existence!) should be more fully started before
I take any part in it. Hence till the middle of February I remain
at the Villa d'Este (quietly finishing a few compositions) and
then return direct to Pest.
Herbeck is said to have promised to conduct a concert there. I
trust we may meet in friendship on the "Fischplatz" during Lent.
How could he manage to have the Gran Mass performed in the
Burgkapelle? The dimensions of the work require rather a goodly
amount of space for chorus and orchestra...Next summer it is
proposed to give a grand concert-performance of the Gran Mass in
Dusseldorf (where they have a splendid hall, admirably adapted
for musical festivals). I shall look for your report of the
Vienna performance.
As regards the "Prometheus," I beg you to fix with Her-beck that
in Vienna the new improved edition, published by Kahnt (Leipzig),
shall be used, and get him to procure it from Kahnt: pianoforte
score, full score, and voice parts. If Herbeck should entertain
any doubt about the new edition on account of the expense, I
shall be quite ready to settle the small "difference" with a few
gulden, which you will advance me for the purpose. [Eduard von
Liszt managed Liszt's money affairs for him.]
I am very anxious that this "Prometheus"--who is ready to
"unchain" himself next summer in Dusseldorf and at the Musical
Festival at Altenburg--should not again be a failure in Vienna,
after his late want of success there.--
Give Kulke my best thanks for his excellent essay with its kindly
sentiments (in the Vaterland of September 17th); I am specially
pleased with the close: "In the same way as Sebastian Bach could
not conceive a musical thought in any other way than from a
contrapuntal point of view, Liszt cannot conceive a theme in any
other way than from a thematic point of view," etc.
Heartiest greetings to all your circle: Marie will always prove
herself noble and firm.
Your faithfully attached
F.L.
(Villa d'Este) October 31st, 1875
178. To Madame Jessie Laussot
Very Dear and Kind Friend,
Although I scarcely know how sufficiently to express my gratitude
to you for all the proofs of friendship you have constantly shown
me during twenty years, I am quite convinced that no
misunderstanding would ever be possible between us. You know my
good intentions from the outset, and in case of necessity you
divine them with the heart's most penetrating and delicate
intelligence.
I add to my thanks for your last letter a request which you will
certainly grant, by assuring our very honored friend Hillebrand
of my sincere devotedness. In addition, assure him also that my
zeal in serving my gracious master, the Grand Duke of Saxony,
will never be used to the detriment of any one, and that I
especially take into consideration the proprieties appropriate to
the merits and position of individualities that I esteem and
love.
So then we will discuss "academicamente," at your house in
Florence (after my return from Hungary, towards the middle of
February), the subject of Hillebrand's spending some months each
year at Weimar.
This could be brought about under reciprocally pleasant
conditions; I confess that I take a rather egotistical interest
in it...but without failing in the duties of friendship.
In a week's time, Mdlle. Adelheid de Schorn accompanies her aunt-
-"the Lady Abbess von Stein"-- back to Germany. She will bring
you two or three books of music from me.
Sgambati has finished a second, very remarkable Quintet (for
Piano and Strings), which will soon be heard in Rome.
Zarembski (whom I introduced to you) works valiantly, and
deserves to be reckoned as an unusually excellent pianist of the
first rank.
A revoir in February, and yours very devotedly,
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, November 17th, 1875
If you should see the Jaells before their concerts in Rome, give
them my most affectionate remembrances.
179. To Eduard von Liszt
My Honored Friend,
What you felt at the performance of the Gran Mass has extremely
rejoiced me. "He who loves understands."
Give Herbeck my warmest thanks for the carefulness of the
rehearsals and performance of this work, about which I allowed
myself to make the remark (in Paris 1866), to a personage of the
very highest rank, that "it had been more criticised than heard."
On no account would I press Herbeck to give a performance of the
"Prometheus-choruses"; according to my thinking, it would be
better to wait and see how these choruses are done next spring in
Dusseldorf and at the Tonkunstler-Versammlung in Altenburg before
bringing them back to Vienna. I should also like to be present at
the Vienna performance, which will not be possible tha's winter.
I shall probably only be able to stay one day with you (at the
beginning of April). I almost doubt whether the "Hunnenschlacht"
could be performed amongst the "Philharmoniker" [lovers of
harmony] without defeat to me. Nevertheless, "vincit qui
patitur."
Heartiest greetings to our Franz, who will prove himself worthy
of you.
Most faithfully thy
F. Liszt
(Villa d'Este, Tivoli) November 26th, 1875
.--. As I already told you, I shall remain here till the middle
of February, and then return direct to Budapest. From next April
I am threatened with much travelling about. My threefold
domicile, Pest, Weimar and Villa d'Este, and all that is
connected with it, makes my life very onerous. Even the well-
known consolation, "Tu l'as voulu, Georges Dandin" [it is your
own doing], fails me...Still there is hope in the proclamation
"Et in terra pax, hominibus bonae voluntatis."
Once more thanks for your kind intercession in my friend Vincenz
Kirchmayer's [Liszt's former travelling companion in Spain and
Portugal during the forties, and especially recommended by Liszt
to his cousin Eduard.] affairs. When the decision has been given
let me know it.
180. To Hans Schmitt, Professor at the Conservatorium of Music in
Vienna
[Well known as an excellent teacher of the pianoforte, also as a
writer on music]
[End of 1875]
My Dear Sir,
It is well known how much mischief is done to the piano both with
hands and feet. May your instructive pamphlet on the right use of
the pedal duly benefit pianoforte players. [Footnote: "The Pedal
of the Piano." Vienna, Doblinger (3rd ed. 1892).] With best
thanks for sending me the pamphlet, I remain
Yours respectfully,
F. Liszt
181. To Kornel von Abranyi
Dear Honored Friend,
In the affairs of the Academy of Music I had till now simply to
wait. [The opening of the Academy of Music had taken place
meanwhile in the middle of November, 1875.] Now comes the time
when a different, an active line of conduct presents itself to
me. I shall always endeavor to come up to the expectations of my
friends. First of all in the middle of February we begin our
peaceful academical conferences, and, as I have already written
to you, I willingly undertake, from the 1st March, to conduct a
pianoforte class (for virtuosi and teachers)--provided that Erkel
and you, dear friend, agree to this harmless proposal. My further
activity in the Royal Hungarian Academy of Music had better be
favored, measured and decided by the circumstances. I can only
lay claim to be the well-intentioned zealous servant of Art and
of Hungary.
Please to give Erkel my heartiest thanks for the Liszt-paragraph
in the "Inaugural Address." The kindly confidence which Erkel has
reposed in me for more than 30 years shall never be abused.