Letters of Franz Liszt Volume II Part 13

Yours,

F. Liszt

Rome, June 19th, 1866

The score of the Gran Ma.s.s presumably reached Riedel safely (6 weeks ago). The vocal parts I have meanwhile left with Giacomelli. Later an edition of the choral and orchestral parts will become a necessity.

47. To Dr. Franz Brendel

Dear Friend,

Your last letter but one, the registered one, has reached me safely. As it contained more in the way of answers than was wanted I hesitated to write to you. As already said, I have made up my mind to wait another year before publis.h.i.+ng the "Elizabeth." In the first place it is necessary that I should correct the frequent errors in the copy of the score--a piece of work that will take a couple of weeks.--Then, before its appearance, I should like an opportunity of quietly hearing the work once in Germany, and this perhaps might occur next year.

Meanwhile give Kahnt my best thanks for his ready consent, of which, however, I cannot make use till later, provided that an honorarium of a couple of thousand francs (which has been offered me elsewhere) does not frighten him. .--. So far as one can plan a journey nowadays, I intend to be in Germany again for a few weeks during the summer of 1867.--Tomorrow I shall write to Dr.

Hartel and tell him that you have kindly expressed yourself ready to discuss with him the small matter about the Draseke brochure.

It would please me greatly to hear that some amicable arrangement had been made.

With regard to the publications of the Allgemeine Deutsche Musikverein, I would vote for the Overture by Seifriz. Likewise for the continuation of the Chamber music performances in Leipzig--and, of course, for the compensation from the Society's purse due to you.

Stade's article on the "Faust Symphony" I have not yet received.

My last number of the Zeitschrift is that of July 6th. I am glad that Stade does not disapprove of these Faust-things.-- Schondorf's Polonaise, Impromptu, etc., which Kahnt has sent me, I have read through with pleasure and interest. With the next sending to Rome please enclose the "Petrus" Oratorio by Meinardus (the pianoforte score). In case the pianoforte score has not appeared, then let me have the full score. And together with the "Petrus" Oratorio please also send me the fragment of the "Christus" Oratorio by Mendelssohn (published by Hartel).

My "Christus" Oratorio has, at last, since yesterday got so far finished that I have now only got the revising, the copying and the pianoforte score to do. Altogether it contains 12 musical numbers (of which the "Seligkeiten" and the "Pater Noster" have been published by Kahnt), and takes about three hours to perform.

I have composed the work throughout to the Latin text from the Scriptures and the Liturgy. After a time I shall ask Riedel for his a.s.sistance and advice with regard to the German wording.

Please give Alex Ritter my cordial thanks for his Amsterdam report.

I cannot, at present, promise you any literary contributions for the proposed Annual of the D. M. If the instrumental Introduction to the "Elizabeth" (for piano-forte) would suit you I would gladly place it at your disposal, reserving the copyright for the subsequent publisher of the score, that is, his right to publish the same Introduction again.

As far as I can foresee I shall remain here the whole winter. My address is simply: To Commandeur Abbe Liszt--Rome.

Fuller performances of the Beethoven Symphonies and of the Dante Symphony are to be given next Advent in the Dante Gallery.

Sgambati is to conduct them, and I have promised to attend the rehearsals.

Heugel of Paris (Director of the Menestrel) is shortly to publish a new edition of my Franciscus-legends.

With friendliest greetings, your attached

F. Liszt

October 2nd, 1866

48. To Breitkopf and Hartel

Much Esteemed Herr Doctor,

It is very mortifying to me to have to confess that I have most awkwardly come to a standstill with the transcription of the Beethoven Quartets. After several attempts the result was either absolutely unplayable--or insipid stuff. Nevertheless I shall not give up my project, and shall make another trial to solve this problem of pianoforte arrangement. If I succeed I will at once inform you of my "Heureka." [Discovery (from a Greek word).- TRANS.] Meanwhile I am occupied exclusively with the "Christus Oratorio," which has, at last, advanced so far that all I have now to do is to put the marks of expression in the score and the pianoforte score.

Pray kindly excuse me if a small piece of vanity leads me to address you with a wish. My "Symphonic Poems" have, as you know, had a regular deluge of halberds hurled at them by the critics.

After all these murderous and deadly blows that have been aimed at them, it would be very gratifying to me if the a.n.a.lyses of these "Symphonic Poems" in which, a few years ago, Felix Draseke discussed them severally in the Anregungen [Notices] could now be published by you all together in the form of a brochure, for they are written with a thorough knowledge of the subject, yet in a kindly spirit.

On this account I begged Dr. Brendel to discuss the matter with you, and now take the liberty of addressing you personally on the subject of my wish.

With much esteem, yours sincerely,

F. Liszt

Rome, October 4th, 1866

Will you kindly send Cantor Gottschalg in Tieffurt a good copy of my pianoforte scores of the nine Beethoven Symphonies? 49. To Dr.

Franz Brendel

Dear Friend,

My heartfelt sympathy in the grievous loss which you have sustained. [On November 15th, 1866, Dr. Brendel lost his wife, Elizabeth nee Trautmann (born in St. Petersburg 1814). She was a pianist and a pupil of Field and Berger. Dr. Brendel survived her only two years.] It is an immeasurable sorrow on which one can only be silent!--

Let us pa.s.s over to the business part of your letter. Our Grand Duke informs me that there is to be a Wartburg Festival this summer (a Jubilee in celebration of the 800th year of the Wartburg's existence). And for this fete he wishes a performance of the "Elizabeth-Legend" under my personal direction. I have agreed to this, for, as the occasion is an exceptional one, I too am enabled to make an exception to meet his commands. Now as the Duke is Patron of the Tonkunstler-Verein, it seems to me appropriate that this year's T. K. Versammlung should be brought into some connection with the Wartburg Jubilee. Think the matter over and discuss it with Gille. The date of the Wartb. Festival has not been announced to me, and will probably not be settled till later. As for myself I could not promise to remain more than one month in Germany. Hence it would be agreeable to me personally if the T. K. Versammlung were not kept apart from the Wartburg Jubilee, and were arranged for about the same date; I could then attend both. In case Bulow cannot undertake to act as conductor, those to be mentioned as subst.i.tutes would be, no doubt, Seifriz, Riedel, Damrosch, La.s.sen.-- Seifriz's hesitation with regard to the publication of his Overture I consider to be scrupulous beyond measure, and am of the opinion that he should not hold to it any longer. Gille's circular (of December 9th) I, of course, agree with, only the compensation of 50 thalers [about 71 British pounds sterling, 0s., 0d.] is somewhat too modest. I should like to see an 0 added to the 50.--

The full score and pianoforte score of the "Elizabeth" contain a ma.s.s of errors. The revising will take me a couple of weeks. At the beginning of February I will send you the ma.n.u.script for Kahnt's disposal, that is, if he is willing to comply with my conditions about the publication (which I will write out carefully for you). You know that I should have preferred to postpone the publication of the "Elizabeth" for some time longer- -still I understand Kahnt's difference of opinion, and desire to prove myself willing, provided that you approve of my willingness.

.--. Kindly, when you have an opportunity, remind Hartel about sending the dedication-copy of my pianoforte scores of the Beethoven Symphonies to Bulow. The copy ought to be properly bound (in three volumes--3 Symphonies in every volume), and addressed to Bulow, Johanniss-Vorstadt 31, Basel.

With sincere thanks and hearty good wishes for the year 1867, I remain in unchanging friends.h.i.+p, yours,

F. Liszt

Rome, January 6th, 1867

The Neue Zeitschrift has not come for more than six months.

50. To Doctor Cuturi, Pisa

[From a rough copy of Liszt's in possession of Herr Alexander Ritter in Munich]

Sir,

I am told that you would be good enough to take into consideration my recommendation of Mr. Alexander Ritter. I hasten therefore to a.s.sure you of the sincere esteem in which I hold his remarkable talent as a violinist and his capability as an orchestral conductor. His very extensive musical knowledge, his frequent and close connection with virtuosi and celebrated composers, and his practical experience of the best-known works and orchestras qualify him in a high degree for the post that would be offered to him at Pisa. The best judges discern in Mr.

Ritter not merely a brilliant virtuoso, able to obtain everywhere applause and approbation, but also--which is more rare--a consummate musician, endowed with the most n.o.ble feeling for Art, and possessing the most perfect understanding of the works of the great masters.

Besides this, sir, I am sure that you will find much pleasure in your personal relations with him. All who know him bear testimony to his honorable character as well as to his gentlemanly manners; and I will merely add that amongst all my German friends there are few of whom I preserve so affectionate a remembrance.

Pray accept, Monsieur le Docteur, the expression of my esteem and distinguished consideration.

F. Liszt