* * * * *
In a letter of the 5th of April, 1844, Moscheles communicates to
Mendelssohn the desire of the Handel Society, that Mendelssohn should
prepare a new edition of the “Messiah.” Moscheles had announced a
concert for the 1st of June; and, in view of Mendelssohn’s expected
visit to England, he writes to ask him whether he is inclined to play on
that occasion some new piece of his own composition for two performers.
“Have you got anything of that kind amongst your manuscripts,” he says;
“or, if not, might not Jupiter evolve something Minerva-like from his
fertile brain?”
* * * * *
LEIPZIG, April 12, 1844.
MY DEAREST FRIEND,--A thousand thanks for that dear, kind letter of
yours, that I received (with the one from the Handel Society) just as I
was leaving Berlin. Several weeks must elapse before I can knock at your
door, as I shall be travelling slowly, and stopping at various places.
But I will not postpone thanking you for your letter, and telling you
how much pleasure it has given me. If you knew how deeply rooted is my
heart-felt regard, how warm my admiration for you and your music, there
would be no need to say how delighted I am that you will allow me to
play at your concert and to appear in public by your side. But I know
you are too unassuming ever to listen to anything of the kind; and the
fact is, when it is put into words it really does not look genuine. So I
had better write nothing more about it,--only this much, that I am at
all times truly happy to make music with you, whether in public or in
private. In whatever way you can use me, I am at your service. Let me
write out parts, or collect tickets, or do anything else. If you can
turn me to account, you will make me truly happy and grateful.
I do not think I have anything ready for two pianofortes. There are
those Variations on a theme in B flat; I like them very well in a room,
but they are not at all suited for public performance. What I should
like best would be to write something new by that time; but time is
short. Could not we play something on the organ, or even improvise
together, or write ourselves a four-hand Fugue for the organ? Well, as I
said before, you decide as to the what and how, and I am ready. At the
latest, I shall be in London by the first week in May.
I have the greatest desire to accept the very gratifying offer of the
Handel Society; but I have written to Macfarren to say that I cannot
give a definite answer until I have had an opportunity of verbal
communication. There can be no objection, I suppose, to the delay. Some
of the editorial duties (especially preparing the Introduction) I doubt
if I should be able to undertake; and that makes a verbal understanding
desirable.
Thank you for correcting the proofs of my “Book of Songs;” thank you for
the invitation to play at your concert; in fact, thank you for all these
twenty years that I have known you, and in which you have shown me
nothing but kindness.
Ever yours,