MY DEAR FRIEND,--As in the times of the Greeks the household gods were
enthroned in every house and were surrounded by love and reverence, so
you too have a special shrine devoted to you in Chester Place,--in our
hearts rather and in our daily thoughts of you and yours.... Now let me
first thank you for the cordial and hearty words you write on the
prospects of my settling in Germany. My wishes in that direction are
ever present,--smouldering embers that your friendly intervention, your
influence, and, above all, the sacred spark of your genius, may kindle
into a bright flame. Your questions remind me of those you put to me as
we were walking arm in arm along the wide streets of London; they were
the same, and now as then I have the same answer to give: Yes--yes--yes!
I have grown indifferent to the so-called attractions of the great
world; the taste of the day does not suit me, and I do not care to make
any concessions to it, whether in public or in private life. What I
aspire to, is an appropriate sphere of musical activity, interesting
surroundings, you by my side, and finally Germany.
The position of head teacher of the pianoforte at the Leipzig
Conservatorio would be very acceptable to me; and I readily assume that
you are the Director of the whole establishment, and that I could work
in the same spirit that, from your first appearance in Leipzig, you
infused into the art life of that musical centre.
* * * * *
LEIPZIG, Dec. 20, 1845.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--I most gladly take up the pen to-day; for I believe and
trust that this letter may be instrumental in bringing about the
realization of a wish which we Leipzigers, and more especially I
personally, have long had at heart, remote as seemed the possibility of
its fulfilment.
Yesterday I learned that the Directors of the Conservatorio were about
to write to you officially. Their offers, which will be in your hands in
a few days, will at least prove to you how fully they appreciate the
desirability of securing you and your services for Leipzig. I hear they
have based their proposals on the suggestions you made in your letter to
me, and which I submitted to them on my return. The salary they offer
you is more than double that of any other professor; they agree to the
leave of absence, and, in fact, accede to one and all of your wishes.
When you come to consider that they are ready to draw to the fullest
extent on the means at their disposal, and further, that it would be
hard to find elsewhere so influential and independent a position, I
trust you will be disposed to accept their proposals. I feel all the
more confident of the result, knowing, as I do, your ideas on the state
of things here as compared with that in England, and remembering how
much in earnest you were when we last talked the subject over.
The sum which is to be offered to you (if my information is correct) is
small, according to English notions, but not so, measured by a German
standard. Nor is it small when you take into consideration that it
represents a fixed salary for only two or three lessons daily, and when
you make allowance for the time of ten weeks’ leave of absence; so that,
if you choose to give two or three private lessons besides, you will be
in a more remunerative position than most musical men in this country,
and yet not have to give more than four or five lessons daily. That
would be light work for you, accustomed as you are to the incredible
exertions of London life. You would have leisure enough, and to spare;
and what splendid fruit that might bear for art and for your friends! I
cannot for a moment doubt that, under the circumstances, you will
appreciate the change; and I must say that, from what I hear of the
petty doings over there, and from what I experienced myself eighteen
months ago, I can fully understand that every year brings you fresh
cause for dissatisfaction, and a growing desire to turn your back on it
all. And, really, the position you are asked to occupy is not unworthy
of your acceptance.
One point I must answer, to correct a misapprehension: I am not, and
never shall be, the Director of the school. I stand in precisely the
same kind of position that it is hoped you may occupy. The duties of my
department are the reading of compositions, etc.; and as I was one of
the founders of the school, and am acquainted with its weak points, I
lend a hand here and there until we are more firmly established. I look
upon it as an element of stability that we should have no musical
director placed in authority above the professors,--head masters, as we
call them. These--Hauptmann, Becker, David, and myself (may I soon be
able to add your name!)--form a committee of management on all musical
matters, subordinate to the Directors only, inasmuch as these select the
teachers, manage the business, and are generally the representatives of
the Institute. But all musical matters are submitted to the committee of
teachers, or to the special professor whom they may concern. So, for
instance, any question relating to harmony would be referred to
Hauptmann, whilst Becker would deal with what concerns the organ. The
Board of Directors consists exclusively of prominent
citizens,--non-musicians,--who give their services gratuitously.
And now let me request that if there is anything you do not wish to
mention officially, you will inform me, and give me an opportunity of
contributing to the success of a negotiation which may prove more
fruitful in its results than any we have hitherto undertaken in the
interests of music.
“I scarcely venture to hope, so much do I wish it,” says your wife; and
I, with a better right, echo her words,--for if you both only wish it
half as much as I do, I fancy I may venture to hope.
And now, best thanks for your letter from Paris, that crossed mine on
the road; and my congratulations on your successes, and the dedication
at St. Cloud. As regards the Sonata[53] itself, it is of no use putting
the many questions about it which I am so anxious and impatient to have
answered; but I will make sure that Kistner lets me have the manuscript
without an hour’s delay. And just fancy, now, how grand it will be when
we get that kind of thing before all kings of the French! I do believe
the Leipzigers will get too proud; and yet I should be happy for their
sakes. You see I can write of nothing else to-day. Good-by; let me hear
from you soon.
Ever yours, F. M.
* * * * *
The following letter is in answer to Moscheles’s question in reference
to the cost of living in Leipzig:--
* * * * *
LEIPZIG, Jan. 17, 1846.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--Your last letter, and that of your wife, gave me the
greatest pleasure, for they seem to hold out a promise that our wish to
have you here will be fulfilled. I do hope and trust we are not
mistaken. On the day that brings your consent I will drain my best
bottle of wine, and cap it with a cup of champagne. I hasten to answer
your questions, having duly consulted my wife and her account-books with
the following result: The price of a flat--consisting of seven or eight
rooms, with kitchen and appurtenances--varies from three hundred to
three hundred and fifty thalers.[54] For that sum it should be handsome
and cheerful; and as regards the situation, should leave nothing to be
desired. Servants would cost about one hundred to one hundred and ten
thalers per annum, all depending, to be sure, on what you require. Male
servants are not much in demand here, their wages varying from three to
twelve thalers per month. A good cook gets forty thalers a year; a
housemaid, thirty-two. If you add to these a lady’s-maid, who could sew
and make dresses, you would reach about the above-mentioned figure.
Should you require, in addition to these, a man-servant, that, to be
sure, would increase the expense; but living as others do here, I think
you would scarcely need one. Wood--that is, fuel for kitchen, stoves,
etc.--is dear, and may amount to one hundred and fifty or two hundred
thalers for a family of five, with servants. Rates and taxes are next to
nothing: eight or ten thalers a year would cover all. In a word, I think
you would live very well and comfortably on from eighteen hundred to
two thousand thalers. It is difficult to fix the terms for your lessons,
even approximatively, for there is no precedent in Leipzig to go by.
Madame Schumann-Wieck had two thalers, but at that price found only few
pupils, and those mostly among foreigners spending a short time here. I
think that would be different with you, and am confident that if you
chose to say one thaler and a half you would be overrun by applicants.
The same probably would be the case at two thalers. And so I return to
what I said in my last letter: I believe that, putting together the
salary from the Conservatorio and what you would make by private lessons
and the publication of compositions (even if you published ever so
little, but I trust it would be ever so much), your income would suffice
for your expenditure, and it would still be open to you to draw on your
capital or to leave it to bear interest. I do not think I have in any
way looked at things in too favorable a light in giving you these
estimates. I certainly made them after due consideration, and in
accordance with my experience of this place.
Now I have but to add that I have no doubt your furniture will be
allowed to pass free of duty (in fact, I don’t mind making bold to
guarantee that at once); further, that I certainly have composed a
“Lauda Sion” for a church festival at Liege; and finally, that we are
all well, and thinking of you, and expecting with the greatest
impatience your next letter, which is to bring us the welcome news that
you are coming.
Ever yours,