Letters of Franz Liszt Volume II Part 59

Weimar, June 10th, 1880

Tomorrow I shall write to Hartel's that the edition of my "Gesammelte Schriften" could not do better than begin with your excellent version of the "Chopin."

262. To Kornel von Abranyi

Highly Esteemed Dear Friend,

My hearty thanks for the dedication copy of your charming "Nocturnes." "Near the chapel" and "Starry night" belong to my most select intimate Programme.

Aladar Juhasz needs but health to stand forth and hold his own as an excellent artist, virtuoso and composer. The matter of his stipend is now arranged--as we wished it. Juhasz will certainly also greatly distinguish himself at the Klausenburg Musical Festival. My lines of introduction to Trefort, the Minister, must no longer be presented to His Excellency as mustard after dinner.

The less scribbling and gossiping the better. "Vitam impendere vero."--

I request that the two accompanying letters in Hungarian may be answered by the General Secretary of the Royal Hungarian National Academy of Music, Abranyi Kornel, in my name. Before I left Budapest we read together the polyphone tattoo by J. K., and I then requested you to make the composer understand that Meyerbeer's far-famed "Rataplan, Rataplan, plan, plan" (in the "Huguenots") is quite enough henceforth for the audience.

Do not delay any longer returning his score to J. Beg Herr P. A.

to excuse me for not being a millionaire.

Till the end of July remains in Weimar Yours most faithfully and gratefully,

F. Liszt

Weimar, June 20th, 1880

263. To Freiherr Hans von Wolzogen

Highly esteemed Freiherr and Friend,

.--. Wagner has shown and taught us triumphantly "what style is."

You explain the mighty matter admirably in your last writing, dear Sir. That a "School for the culture of style in Bayreuth"

should be established, is wished by no one more seriously than by

Yours most sincerely,

F. Liszt

Weimar, July 28th 1880

149. To Friedrich Hofmeister, Music Publisher in Leipzig

Weimar, August 17th, 1880

Dear Sir,

For the last twenty years or more Kirchner has known how sincerely I esteem his compositions. I rejoice to see that he continues adding to their number with freshness and vigor, and am much obliged to you for sending me his "Toys," "Caprices,"

"Leaves," etc., which you have brought out.

Yours truly,

F. Liszt

265. To Baroness Helen Augusz, Sister of Mercy in Graz

[Daughter of Liszt's late friend, Baron Anton Augusz, of Szegzard in Hungary]

Most revered Sister of St. Vincent de Paule,

Pray always dispose of my feeble services. I am writing to the Baroness de Roner according to your instructions, and request that you will send her the enclosed lines.

M. Tirindelli's [Professor at the "Liceo Marcello" in Venice; violinist and composer.] abilities deserve attention, consideration and encouragement. This you have well understood, and it will be a pleasure to me to second you.

How can I be of use to him?

By recommending him to some publisher in Germany?

Does he intend to travel and give concerts? Your protege, M.

Tirindelli, may count upon my sincere readiness to oblige him: the only thing I ask is, that he should write me distinctly in what way I can be of service to him. Yesterday I took the liberty of noting several alterations in his melody "All' Ideale," his Mazurka, and in the Adagio of the Trio which pleases you by its fine feeling.

By the way, this Adagio has been so badly copied that another less faulty one will have to be made before sending it to print.

By this same post you will receive the three works with my alterations.

Having arrived here last Sat.u.r.day, I shall remain at the Villa d'Este till New Year. In the middle of January will return to Budapest

Your very respectful and devoted servant,

F. Liszt

Rome, September 1st, 1880

The most convenient address for me during the next months is: Albergo a Via Alibert, Roma.

266. To Madame A. Rubinstein

Allow me, dear Madame Rubinstein, to dedicate to you my transcription of your husband's charming and very famous Lied. To the very conservative burden "Ach! wenn es doch immer so bliebe"

[Ah! could it remain so for ever!] I add that what will certainly always remain as now is, your most respectfully and affectionately obedient servant,

F. Liszt

(Villa d'Este,) October 24th, 1880