My address for the present is Berlin; and from next September, Breitkopf
& Härtel, Leipzig. Use it often.
* * * * *
At the close of the season Moscheles went to Hamburg with his family,
from which place he announces to Mendelssohn his intention of visiting
Leipzig for the purpose of seeing his mother, who was coming from Prague
to meet him. He also speaks of his intention to give a concert in
Leipzig.
* * * * *
LEIPZIG, Sept 5, 1835.
MY DEAR MOSCHELES,--I hope and trust nothing may occur to prevent our
once more spending a few happy days together. Your concert is being
arranged, and so I shall have the twofold pleasure of seeing you and
hearing your more important new works, and I need not tell you how much
I shall enjoy that.
Your search after flowers in the arid regions of modern composition
makes me quite melancholy. It is so disheartening to see how colorless
the heroes of our day are. Sometimes it makes me feel inclined to think
too indulgently of myself; at other times again the very reverse, and I
feel thoroughly discouraged. Who is Mr. Elkamp who is writing a “Saint
Paul”? Have you seen anything of his, and has it any merit or not?
If the Hamburgers look upon your appearance as an _intermezzo_ between
Chopin and Kalkbrenner, let them go to Jericho. I would soon put things
into plain language, and ask them whether they consider the joint an
_intermezzo_ between mixed pickles, hashes, and fish patties, or whether
it is not rather the other way. A comparison of that kind would, I
believe, be most likely to come home to them. Kalkbrenner is the little
fish patty.
Have you heard or seen anything of Lindenau the violinist? The last time
I heard him, in Düsseldorf, I was exceedingly pleased with his playing.
If you meet him, please remember me kindly to him, and ask whether he
would come and play here. Good violinists seem to be scarce, and I
should be glad if he would let us hear him soon. I am not quite clear as
to the state of musical matters here. There seems to be plenty of music
performed; but how much for the love of the thing, remains to be seen.
That is, however, a vast subject, and we must discuss it accordingly,
and rediscuss it, and say wise things about it; and may all that come to
pass soon!
Just now Hauser comes in, and I tell him of my beautiful joke on
Kalkbrenner; but he will have it that K. is more like an indigestible
sausage, and I am to tell you so with his best love. Your kind offer of
services reminds me of a favor you can do me on your way here.
Klingemann wrote me the other day that he had had some money from you
for me, and that you have a balance in my favor from Novello’s payments
for the “Melodies.” If you could let my father have this on your way
through Berlin, you would oblige me. Excuse my troubling you. I must
end, or my letter won’t be in time. Pardon these hurried,
good-for-nothing lines. Be sure you bring all your newest compositions
with you; mind you do, it will be such a treat for me. And now, best
love to wife and children, and good-by. Forget not
Yours,