With my hearty thanks for it I send today the little notice.
"Jeanne d'Arc au bucher" ["Joan of Arc at the Stake"] came out a
few months ago at Schott's (Mainz). This short dramatic Scena can
be sung with either pianoforte or orchestral accompaniment. The
chorus is conspicuous by its absence. Johanna [Jeanne] alone has
to perform. N.B.--Only the second edition (published 1876) is to
be used; not the first, which also came out at Schott's 30 years
ago. Schott sent me no copy of it; it was too much trouble for
Berlin to correspond with Mainz via Budapest. Herr Capellmeister
Mannstadt [Now Capellmeister at the Court theater in Wiesbaden.]
will therefore be so kind as to order the "Johanna" (full score
and piano score) at Schott's, if you really have the goodness to
sing it. [It was done in honor of Liszt's presence in Berlin,
which was celebrated by the performance of some of his works.]
There might possibly be special feelings now in Berlin against
it, in spite of Schiller's Tragedy, "Die Jungfrau von Orleans."
Therefore think the matter over.
For years past I have been mostly obliged to dissuade people from
the performance of my large works. The general public usually
goes by what is said by the critics, whose most prominent organs
among the newspapers are hostile to me. Why should I go into
useless quarrels and thereby compromise my friends? Peace and
order are the first duties of citizens, which I have doubly to
fulfil both as honorable citizen and artist.
As for the rest, dear friend, if it suits you to sing any one of
my musical compositions, be assured of the sincerest thanks of
Yours most truly,
F. Liszt
206. To the Committee of the Beethoven Monument in Vienna
[From a copy by Dr. Mirus in Weimar]
December 10th, 1876
Honored Gentlemen,
Rejoiced to be able to help you, I will work with you with a full
heart and both hands in the concert for the Beethoven Monument.
Allow me to answer your friendly remark about the performance of
Beethoven's Choral Fantasia thus,--that I should not think of
performing any other work at this concert than one absolutely
written by Beethoven, and consequently my share in the concert
programme will consist of the E-flat major Concerto. [It did not
consist of that. Liszt did after all play the Pianoforte Part of
the Choral Fantasia, Op. 80.]
I beg you will kindly communicate to the honored Secretary of the
Committee, Herr Zellner, my hints with regard to the Beethoven
Scholarship in Leipzig.
Accept, Gentlemen, the expression of my high esteem.
F. Liszt
207. To Eduard von Liszt
Budapest, January 2nd, 1877
Dearest, Most Honored Cousin,
I always remain faithful to thee in heartiest agreement with thy
thoughts and feelings. Every year brings us nearer to the
fulfilment of our hope in Jesus Christ the Savior!
"He that endureth to the end shall be saved!"--
I am now quite recovered from my little attack. If there were
nothing worse in this world than sprained legs and physical
suffering, one could be quite satisfied. Moreover I belong to the
very favored and happy ones, even as regards physical suffering.
There is nothing particular going on here which I need mention.
Four times weekly I have a class for pianists and pianistes,
native and foreign. Half a dozen of these distinguish themselves
and will be able to grow into capable public artists.
Unfortunately there are far too many concerts and concert-
players. As Dingelstedt quite truly said, "The theater is a
necessary evil, the concert a superfluous one." I am trying to
impress this sentence on my disciples of the Hungarian Academy of
Music.
As you know, Budapest possesses three musical Institutions: the
Conservatorium (which has existed 36 years and counts several
hundred scholars), the Hungarian Theatrical School, and the new
and still small Academy of Music. An excellent younger friend of
mine, Count Geza Zichy, is president of the Conservatorium; an
older one, Count Leo Festetics, president of the Theatrical
School; and my humble self acts in the same position at the
Academy of Music, whose Director Franz Erkel and General
Secretary Abranyi proceed most zealously and judiciously. I have
only pleasant relations with them both, and the Minister Trefort
is already well-disposed towards me, because he knows that I save
him unnecessary annoyance and expense. Most likely the Academy of
Music will in two years' time be so flourishing that there will
be more to say about it; in the meantime let us study--and be
silent. .--.
Heartiest greetings to thy family, and au revoir in Schottenhof
[Eduard Liszt's home in Vienna.] in the middle of March, on the
occasion of the "Beethoven-Monument Concerts."
Thy
F. Liszt
The Christmas week has beggared me. Be so good as to send me very
quickly 500 gulden, for I have hardly 60 left.
208. To Walter Bache
Truly, dear Bache, you are a wonder-working friend. Your
persevering trouble, exertions, expenditure of time and money for
the production of my bitterly-criticised compositions in London
during the past fifteen years, are among the most uncommon
occurrences in the annals of Art. Once again heartiest thanks;
please also to thank Mr. Manns properly for his excellent
conducting of "Mazeppa." Things of that kind are awkward both for
conductors and performers. But how can one go on making music
with what is idly convenient, even when this is raised into
importance under the guise of being classical?
Hueffer's translation of Wagner's letter pleases me. Friendly
greeting to Hueffer [Musical author in London, lately deceased]
and Dannreuther [Musician in London] from
Your grateful and very devoted
F. Liszt
Budapest, March 9th, 1877
At the beginning of April I shall be back in Weimar. I am pleased
that you included the old "Loreley," with fresh orchestral
accompaniments, in your concert programme. Give my respectful
compliments to the friendly singer Mrs. Osgood.
209. To Eduard von Liszt
Weimar, July 3rd, 1877
Dearest Eduard,
For some weeks I have been much on the go and disturbed in many
ways. Several musical performances occasioned me to go about in
the neighborhood. On the 17th June some portions of the "Christus
Oratorio" were splendidly sung in the Thomaskirche (Leipzig) by
the Riedel Verein. Last Friday "Elizabeth" came brilliantly to
the fore again in Eisenach, and yesterday Gille, my untiring
friend of many years' standing, arranged a large concert of
sacred music (with several items of mine), at which I was
present.
I do indeed regret that I am not able to accept in person the
kind invitation of my beloved nephew Franz for his wedding-day.
It would be much better for me to be more with you
all!...Enclosed are a few words to Franz. Arrange for my proxy as
a witness at the marriage ceremony. Whoever is chosen by you will
be worthy and right to me: as for me I should choose my friend
Bosendorfer.
I go the day after tomorrow to Berlin for two days; then I am
bidden farther and nearer till the end of July. I shall
respectfully announce to the Frau Furstin [Princess] my arrival
in Rome--beginning of August. Please send me here on the 20th
July the money for the journey, and something over--about 1200
marks [about 60 pounds]. I must not have any other debts except
moral ones. Our name Liszt in the Hungarian language means Flour:
we will provide good wheaten meal "ex adipe frumenti" with thee,
Franz, and thy children.
Truly devoted,
F. L.
.--. I shall visit you in the middle of November on the return
journey from Rome to Pest,--where I think of spending the winter,
as formerly.
Heartiest greetings to your wife and Marie.
210. To Ludwig Bosendorfer
Honored Friend,
You have been just as much a pianoforte maker as I have been, and
still remain, alas! an almost posthumous pianoforte player.
My friend Berlioz asked: "Do you believe that I can listen to
music for my pleasure?" Nevertheless we intend to continue our
Music and Piano "for our good pleasure."
Thanks for letter and telegram.
Heartily devoted,
F. Liszt
Weimar, July 12th, 1877
211. To Edmund von Mihalovich
.--. In order to obtain this performance [Of Mihalovich's Opera
"Hagbar."] I think it necessary and indispensable (as I have
already told you) that you should lay a regular siege in person
to the Intendant, the Capellmeister, and the singers, male and
female, of the theater which you choose.
The new serious Operas are now regarded with suspicion and are in
disgrace everywhere. Several trials have been made of them here
and there of late years. In the happiest of them the public
applauded warmly during the first performances, and abstained
from attending the following ones. Consequently the coffers
remained empty: ergo, it is the receipts which prove real
success. If Wagner's marvellous chefs d'oeuvre hold their own in
the repertoire, it is because they make money and continue to
draw even a large contingent of detractors. .--.
Weimar, July 20th, 1877
Towards the middle of August I shall be in Rome, and shall stay
at the Villa d'Este until my return to Pest in November.
212. To Kornel von Abranyi
Weimar, July 28th, 1877
Honored Friend,
Dear Secretary-General of the "Zene Akademia," [i.e. Academy of
Music of the Country.] Sincere thanks for your significant
communication, which I answer immediately, point by point.
[Abranyi had informed Liszt, as President of the Academy, of the
course of instruction (1877) and concerts, and had also asked him
for his opinion on several Art questions.]
1. The conclusion of the year '77 with the examination concerts
(25 to 28 June--and the "Magyar Hangverseny" [An Hungarian
Concert.] on the 30th June) has been very gratifying. Let us
rejoice in the praiseworthy performances of Messrs. Juhasz,
Agghazi, Swoboda, and of the ladies Frau Knapp, Fraulein Lepessy,
[The above-mentioned were favorite pupils of the Master at the
Academy.] etc., in Counterpoint, Harmony, Composition,
Aesthetics, Hungarian music and the indispensable Piano-playing.
The work best praises the Master: in like manner do the pupils,
when preparing themselves for pre-eminence, praise their teacher.
The "Zene Akademia" has not to work for the universally usual
kind of musical study, but has indeed a weightier, higher task to
fulfil.
2. The publication of your "Academic lectures" I had especially
recommended to His Excellency Minister Trefort. "Suitable
teaching and departmental books" printed in the Hungarian
language are inaccessible. You, my honored Secretary-General,
have to look after that,--and the Minister will certainly support
your scientific-patriotic work for the use and benefit of
learners and teachers at the "Zene Akademia"--and further, in all
Hungary.
3. As to the "Plan of classes in the department for Church music,
Singing and Organ," I can now only repeat my previously expressed
wish that the right and able person of good working capability
may be found for conducting these classes. Neither invalids nor
dabblers may officiate at No. 4, Fischplatz!--[Liszt's house,
and, for the time, the locale of the Academy.] If unfortunately
the right reverend Herr F. Witt should continue unable to fill
the post offered to him in Budapest, I shall propose that the new
director should come for a year on trial. And a complaisant sort
of Protection is thereby to be avoided, for the matter in
question is nothing less than the worthy thriving and culture of
Church music in Hungary.
4. I consider as necessary the appointment of an experienced
Pianoforte Professor, one who is pushing forwards, and who will
be able to relieve our highly honored Director Herr F. Erkel of a
part of his very meritorious but excessive exertions. Meanwhile I
protest strongly against desiring to have a professorship without
salary. Fees with honor; judicious restrictions without beggarly
management; otherwise we shall come to grief.
5. I beg that my "jubilee-stipend," entrusted to me in the most
honorable manner by the municipality of Budapest, may next year
('78) be apportioned to the same artists as this year. I will
gladly sign all the papers having reference to this. Looking
forward to the speedy appearance of your Study of Harmony, and of
the collected writings of our never-to-be-forgotten friend
Mosonyi, together with his biography and Abranyi's new
compositions, and greeting your laudable and persistent endeavors
in the cause of Art with sympathetic recognition,
I remain, with best regards, yours truly,
F. Liszt
Next week I journey farther--shall be in Rome by the middle of
August--and in November in Pest, where I intend to spend the
winter again. Write to me in September: my address will be Villa
d'Este, Tivoli, (presso) Roma, Italia.
I beg you to give the enclosed lines to Frau Knapp.
213. To the Music Publisher Constantin Sander
Very dear Sir,
I shall have much pleasure in preparing the re-discovered
manuscript of the "Harold Symphony" (Score for Piano and Alto
[viola]) for the dress and in entrusting it to you. Send me the
manuscript soon, together with the original score of Berlioz,
which is necessary for the accurate revision of the arrangement.
My fee shall be a moderate one, as I am pleased that your firm is
going to publish this arrangement, which was finished in
Switzerland forty years ago. I would have made it public long
since, if the manuscript had not been lost.
Sincerely yours,
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, Tivoli (near Rome), September 5th, 1877
Please send with it a copy of the excellent Trio of Edward
Napravnik. My friend Sgambati will produce it publicly in Rome,
and make it a success.
214. To Adelheid von Schorn at Weimar
Dear and honored One,
When one is at a loss what to say or write, well--one tries to
help oneself with music. Enclosed I forward you the song of your
noble-hearted mother: "Ach, was ist Leben doch so schwer!" [Ah,
why is life so burdensome!] My setting is so managed that you
will easily master it, as well in the singing as in the
accompaniment. [Published in the 8th book of Songs under the
title "Sei still" ("Be still")]
Faithfully yours,
F. Liszt
Rome, September 15th, 1877
215. To Breitkopf and Hartel
Honored Sirs,
.--. May my slight share in your edition of Chopin's works, which
nearly all belong to your firm, be of use to you. I remarked
before how little really remains to be done to Chopin's
compositions, as he himself, with praiseworthy and exceptional
accuracy, added every possible instruction to the performer--even
to the pedal indications, which in no other author appear so
frequently.--Your collaborators will certainly find accuracy and
authenticity of the original text in Karl Klindworth's Moscow
edition of Chopin. I chose the "Etudes," because the first volume
was dedicated to me, and the second too for the matter of that
(at that time). I gladly dispense with a revision of both, and
beg you particularly, dear Sirs, not to expose me to an unseemly
rivalry. I will always maintain a most peaceful attitude towards
my honored colleagues, and, wherever they please, allow their
influence and opinion to have free play.
According to your letter, you repudiate the idea of "an
instructive edition with other additions" of Chopin's works. Are
then the directions for fingering also to be omitted?...All the
more undisturbed will the leisure of the collaborators be.--
Last week I sent you the corrections of the "Triomphe funebre du
Tasse," as well as the "Impromptu." Tomorrow "Heroide funebre"
(for four hands) will follow, and very soon I am expecting the
"Hunnenschlacht," which completes all the arrangements for four
hands of the 12 "Symphonic Poems." A complete edition of them in
3 or 4 volumes (as you may judge best) will be a pleasure to me.
In spite of the much criticising, ignoring, and denunciation,
which these things have had to suffer for 20 years, they are
perhaps not yet quite done to death.
I beg you to add the Prefaces and Poems (French and German) to
the edition for four hands, as well as to the scores, and also to
the further editions for 2 pianos. The same with regard to the
transcription for piano of the "Triomphe funebre" (Italian and
German), because, as a matter of fact, a well-disposed programme
composer uses such hints more than is generally supposed. Of
course the dedication of the "Impromptu"--"a Madame la Baronne
Olga de Meyendorff, nee Princesse Gortschakoff"--must not be left
out.
With distinguished respect,
Your obedient
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, September 26th, 1877
Till the end of October my address will be: 43, Via dei Greci,
Roma (Italia). From the middle of November: Budapest (Hungary).
216. To Frau Ingeborg von Bronsart in Hanover
Dear Kind Friend,
I am much touched by your charming letter, and grieved at not
being able to accept your friendly invitation. That would
certainly be more agreeable than to attend to all sorts of
duties; but, since three parts of these are self-imposed, I am
all the more bent upon fulfilling them; and, in order to keep
faith with myself, I am returning to Budapest before the middle
of November, and shall remain there till April. Perhaps I am less
useless there than elsewhere; it is an idea or an illusion of
mine.
What excellent and beautiful things the two Hans are going to do
at Hanover! [Hans von Bulow had been appointed Hofcapellmeister
in Hanover, where Hans von Bronsart was Intendant of the
theater.] It is a matter of lively joy to me, and next summer I
hope that my ears will benefit by the new musical regime all in
honor of Art, and the example of which will be of service and
bear fruit far and wide.
Last week I forwarded from the author to your address a copy of
Sgambati's Quintet, dedicated to Bulow; and also a Fugue
(preceded by a grand Prelude and ending in a Chorale--the same
which Guido d'Arezzo made use of to name the six notes of the
gamut: "Ut queant taxis resonare fibris, etc.!"...One of the two
Hans will tell you the rest of the hymn, which is always chanted
on the 24th June, the feast of St. John the Baptist).
Once on a time you used to cultivate fugues with maestria: will
that of Sgambati seem to you classical enough? I almost doubt it,
since in these matters your strictness is extreme. In consequence
of H.M. the Queen of the Netherlands being in mourning, the
"auditions" at the chateau of Loo do not take place this year. I
shall therefore go straight from here to Pest.
Please give my love to your children, and believe me to be for
all time the heartily devoted friend of their papa and mamma.
F. Liszt
(Villa d'Este,) October 2lst, 1877
217. To Eduard von Liszt
Dearest Eduard,
.--. I am told that one or two newspapers announce that I am
going to Paris. I have no thought of doing so, and am moreover
very weary of travelling. What I should prefer would be to remain
firmly fixed in one place, it matters not what, village or city,
till my end, and to go on as quietly as possible with my work. As
this is not permitted to me, I try at least to avoid unnecessary
perambulations, do not go (in spite of various invitations) to
Paris or London, and keep within that already far too extensive
and troublesome triangle, Pest, Weimar, Rome!--So I shall again
spend the next four months here, and then, at the beginning of
April, pay you a week's visit.
Write and tell me where my dear cousin Marie is. [She had shortly
before married Baron von Saar, an officer.] Is her husband
established in Wiener-Neustadt, and in what capacity?
How are our Franz in Graz and his wife?
Heartiest greetings to the Frau Generalissimus-Procuratorin
[Eduard v. L. had in December 1875 become General Procurator.
Liszt called his wife in joke "Generalissima" or "Generalin."]
from your heartily and faithfully affectionate
F. Liszt
Budapest (Fischplat 4), November 23rd, 1877
All friendly greetings to Bosendorfer.
218. To Jules de Zarembski
[A highly gifted pupil of Liszt, born in 1854 in Russian Poland,
died in 1885 at Brussels, where he was Professor in the
Conservatoire.]
Dear Friend,
Thinking that you would spend some weeks at Berlin, I sent the
day before yesterday a letter for you to our friend Bosendorfer,
begging him to have it punctually delivered to you. This letter
enclosed another, which you will remit to Paris to Madame la
Comtesse Taida Rczewazska. She promised me lately at Rome to take
an interest in your success at Paris, and I assured her that your
talent and intellectual gifts would not make her patronage
irksome. Therefore be careful not to give me the lie, and to show
yourself of an amiable disposition at Countess Rczewazska's.
I forgot to ask her where she lives in Paris; but you will find
out without difficulty from some compatriot, or from other people
of the world, which is society. Enclosed are a few lines of
introduction to the illustrious, indefatigable and unageing
publicist, Emile de Girardin. They say of him in joke that he has
an idea every day. If he were to reach the age of Methuselah
ideas would certainly never fail him.
At one time there used to be music in his salon; he understands
it quite as well as the late M. Thiers or the Marechal MacMahon.
However, if M. de Girardin invites you, play there, as I did when
I was last in Paris (in the year '66).--
An excellent recipe against unjust criticisms (of the kind like
that of M. X. which you quote to me) is to criticise oneself
thoroughly before and after--and finally to remain perfectly calm
and follow one's own road!
Cordially yours,
F. Liszt
Budapest, December 13th, 1877
An enthusiastic account of your success at Vienna was given me by
Mme. Tony Raal, who yesterday evening played Tausig's
"Zigeunerweisen" admirably at a concert of M. de Swert. [A
Belgian violoncellist, recently deceased]
219. To Madame Jessie Laussot
Dear and most excellent Friend,
Your "intrigues" are noble, salutary, beneficent, and would win
every advantage in the broad light of day. To take my part in
them, at your command, is one of my most agreeable duties.
[Mme. Laussot was trying to obtain the nomination of Antonio
Bazzini, the excellent violinist and composer (born 1818), as
director of the Conservatoire at Milan, and begged Liszt to
support this choice through the German ambassador Baron Keudell
in Rome, which he did. Bazzini however did not at that time
receive the office, which he at present holds.]
I sent my letter direct to Rome to Baron de Keudell
yesterday..--. Bazzini deserves the post of director of the
Conservatoire at Milan, which ought to be offered to him at the
first onset.
Your most heartily devoted
F. Liszt
Budapest, January 29th, 1878
Our friend Mihalovich will give you news of Budapest. As
elsewhere, I am absorbed here in the most difficult of tasks--to
put up with myself. Happily I receive plenty of help; noble
friendships and dear and beautiful memories light up the path
which I still have to follow before I reach the grave.
220. To Madame Jessie Laussot
Dear and Excellent Friend,
Under present circumstances (indicated in your note of this
evening) I doubt whether your just and noble efforts will attain
their end. [Refers to the as yet unsuccessful candidature of
Bazzini for the directorship of the Milan Conservatoire. See the
preceding letter.]
Without pretending to Catonism, it is a good thing to attach
oneself to good causes, whether favored by the gods or not.
"Victrix causa diis placuit."...So, if you are vanquished on the
battle-field between the Cathedral and the Conservatoire of
Milan, I shall remain on your side, in spite of my reasonable
leaning towards Caesar, and the lawful inheritors of his
idea,...not towards the others, please, because that would drag
me too low and roll me in the mire.
From my heart your old servant and friend,
F. Liszt
Budapest, February 3rd, 1878
221. To the Music Publisher B. Bessel
Dear Sir,