Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 2: From Rome to the End

F >> Franz Liszt; letters collected by La Mara and translated >> Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 2: From Rome to the End

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"Dieser Brave sei verpflichtet
Das zu thun, was wir gedichtet."

["May this brave one be constrained
That to do which we ordained."]

(Schober, 49. Goethe-Feier.)

I flatter myself, by-the-bye, that Milde will also find a
pleasure in the "Sternen-Cantabile"--

[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt where the
words "Viel tau-send hal-ten nach-tig" ("Vide the accompanying
page") are sung. It contained the Cantabile in question for Milde
from Liszt's Beethoven Cantata.]

Riedel asks me who shall play the pianoforte?

If our meeting were at Jena I should decidedly invite Bulow to do
it; he is the veritable Beethoven player and interpreter, the one
who knows and who can do [Kenner und Konner]; but unfortunately
the shades of Dingelstedt and Gutzkow warn him from Weimar's
doors...

Meanwhile there is no hurry about the choice of a pianist (he or
she). Only arrange the principal things in a suitable manner, the
chorus, orchestra, solo singers and the Beethoven Quartet; all
the rest will soon be arranged after my arrival at Weimar in the
middle of April.

Yours most faithfully,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, February 26th, 1870

The piano arrangement of my Cantata must be written out again,
and cannot therefore be sent off for 8 or 10 days. The entire
work lasts about three-quarters of an hour. I am so far ready
with it, that there are only two or three more passages to be
instrumented.

101. To the Baroness E. M. Schwartz in Crete

[Autograph in the Liszt Museum at Weimar.--The addressee was
widely known as the writer Elpis Melena.]

My winter villeggiatura at the Villa d'Este is drawing to its
close; the day after tomorrow I return to Rome, and when you
receive these lines I shall be at Weimar. Address to me there
till the middle of June.

When will your Cretan volume, crowned [Untranslatable pun on the
words "cretois" and "crete."] with erudition and philhellenism,
be finished? Shall you return this summer for its publication? I
hope you will, and I will confess to you without any compliments
that you are among the very small number of my friends whose
absence I feel to be a privation. Now, to accustom one's self to
this kind of privation does not become easier with age.

You doubtless know the novel of your great historical friend,
published now by the "Gaulois" (if I am not mistaken) under the
title "La Domination du Moine" (or "Clelia.") I question whether
another of your friends--less historical although very
distinguished--M. St. Rene Taillandier, recently appointed
Secretary General to the Minister of Public Instruction, would
subscribe to many copies of G.'s novel for the Imperial
libraries; but he will have a fine opportunity of ministerial
revenge when the biographer of the hero of l'unita italiana (not
the "cattolica," relegated to Turin) brings out "la Crete," in
which the Cretans will at last be relieved from the anathema of
their Epimenides narrated in St. Paul's Epistle to Titus,--
"Cretenses semper mendaces, malae bestiae, ventres pigri."--In
the matter of "mendaces" and "ventres pagri" there would be a
tremendous competition with the rest of Europe.

My plans for the spring and summer remain always the same.
Weimar--from the 10th April till the 20th June--with the
Tonkunstler-Versammlung (which has the honor of counting you
amongst its illustrious members); then in the last week of May I
should be very much tempted to be present at the famous "Passion
Play" at Ober-Ammergau; at the end of August I shall go to my odd
friend August at Szegzard (Hungary), who is anxious that a new
Mass of mine should be performed on the day of the dedication of
a church (29th September); and in October I shall return to Rome.

I suppose you receive the Allgemeine Zeitung. It gives but too
much news, and little edifying, about serious things here by its
"Roman Letters," no less widespread than badly put together. If
you want to obtain complete information on these difficult
questions you must read l' Univers and the letters of Veuillot,
or at least l'Unita cattolica; but it would be exacting too much
from your impartiality. Moreover you have better things to do
than to read; your chief duty is to make yourself read,
consequently to write and to write again;--in a secondary manner
occupy yourself a little with your beautiful vines, and, above
all, don't forget to bring soon some samples of their excellent
product, which will enliven our material and intellectual
"substantials," at which, hoping to participate again in the year
of grace 1870, I am,

Your very affectionate and very devoted servant,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, March 15th, 1870

As handy gossip I send you the following: they say that Odo
Russet [sic] will shortly go to England for his wife's
confinement, and will not return to his post in Rome. It is also
said that Schlozer will pay a visit here in the spring;--and that
the daughter of Countess Garcia is to marry a nephew of Cardinal
Antonelli, and will bring a fortune of ten thousand pounds
sterling.

Tarnowski will return to his Penates in Gallicia at Easter, and
will write to you. Wider continues to be president of the German
circle. Next door to one another, there are many concerts given
at the Sala Dante, and our friend Sgambati is acquiring more and
more the reputation of a great artist, which he merits. Remenyi
spent the winter in Hungary. I should very much like to invite
him to come to the Tonkunstler-Versammlung at Weimar; but our
programme is already over-full. In any case I shall meet Rem.
again at Szegzard.

102. To Camille Saint-Saens

Dear Friend,

The rehearsals of your "Noces de Promethee" (Marriage of
Prometheus) are proceeding well at Weimar and Jena; we shall pay
particular attention to the 4 harps, the saxophones, etc. But
what is of the greatest consequence is yourself. I have announced
your coming at the Court and in the town. A revoir then! Try to
be here on the 24th, [Saint-Saens came to Weimar for the
Tonkunstler-Versammlung of the "Allgemeine Deutsche Musik-
Verein," with which the Beethoven Centenary was simultaneously
celebrated; and for the first time, on the 27th May, 1870, Saint-
Saens' name appeared on the programme of these concerts. He also
appeared as a pianist, and Liszt played with him at a Matinee on
two grand pianos.]--and believe me yours ever in sincere
friendship,

F. Liszt

Weimar, May 12th, 1870

103. To Johann von Herbeck

Very dear friend,

Being perfectly convinced of your genuine friendship I am quite
willing to follow the instructions you will briefly give me
concerning the Beethoven Festival [For the benefit of the
Beethoven Memorial. It took place in Vienna on the 18th March,
1877. Liszt played the E-major Concerto and the pianoforte
Fantasia (with chorus), and accompanied the Scotch songs sung by
Caroline Bettelheim.] in Vienna. Whether, and in what way, I may
be able to take part in it will be decided when we have discussed
the subject. Meanwhile I most modestly determine to consider
myself unusable. [There is here a play on the word bescheiden,
the German being ich bescheide mich bescheidenst, which is
untranslatable.]

About the beginning of August I shall pay you a visit in Vienna,
whence my road leads onwards to Szegzard. My earlier halting
points will be: 3rd July, Leipzig--performance of my Missa
choralis; 13th and 17th July, "Rheingold" and the "Walkure" in
Munich; and after that the Passion Play at Oberammergau.

The favorable reception accorded to the Coronation Mass [By
Liszt] is essentially due to your having conducted it. My best
thanks for this. The score is to be printed shortly, and I must
ask you to hand over to the publisher Schuberth the manuscript
which I gave you in Munich last summer. Schuberth is going to
Vienna in a few weeks.

With sincerest esteem, I remain your ever gratefully devoted

F. Liszt

Weimar, June 20th, 1870

104. To Sophie Menter

[The favorite and most distinguished of Liszt's lady-pupils, of
whom he wrote to Navratil on 29th September, 1881, that he had
"for many years past regarded her as the most brilliant and
accomplished of the lady-pianists of the day." Since 1874 she has
held the appointment of Court pianist at the Imperial Court of
Austria.]

Dear and Very Honored One,

A telegram from Abranyi informs me that an invitation, addressed
to Capellmeister O.B. in Salzburg, has already been sent to you
to ask you to take part in the Sangerfest in Pest. Hence, after
having triumphantly played in the Mozarteum on the 18th, your
triumphs are to be continued forthwith in Pest on the 20th. Baron
Augusz and your humble servant expect you there from the 19th.
Kindly let me know (per telegram) by which train you will arrive,
and--a few days afterwards--my rigidly adhered-to plan of
carrying you off to Szegzard shall be brilliantly fulfilled.
Here in this house you will find rest, comfort, friendly sympathy
and harmless affability, and, in addition, music too, and that
not of the worst kind, for we shall arrange it ourselves.

Your sincerely attached and devoted

F. Liszt

Szegzard, August 11th, 1870

105. To Sophie Menter

Your hearty and humorous little note closes delightfully with the
promise that you are soon coming to Szegzard. You will not find
here any vestige of all the artistic enjoyments and glories of
the Mozarteum; the whole symphonic contingent of Szegzard is
limited to half a dozen gypsies with instruments out of tune and
harmonising in pell mell fashion one with the other; the choruses
are free and performed in the open air, namely: soprano and alto-
-flocks of geese; tenor and bass--cattle;--so that a conductor
like O.B. would have nothing further to do than to pose as a
mythological figure...

Nevertheless I promise you, dear kind patroness, many pleasant
and befitting things in this restful, genial and refined home of
our mutual friend Baron Augusz.

You will be most heartily welcome to us all--especially to your
most sincerely attached

F. Liszt

Szegzard, August 29th, 1870

Between the middle and the end of September Remenyi, Mosonyi and
Mihalovich will be staying here.

106. To Kornel von Abranyi in Budapest

[Autograph in the possession of Herr E. von Mihalovich in
Budapest.--The addressee was a musician, writer and critic
there.]

Dear Friend,

The death of Mosonyi puts our hearts in mourning. [Michael
Mosonyi, the friend of Liszt, and to whose sudden death the
latter here refers, was famous in Hungary as a composer, teacher
and author.] It makes us sorrow also for Music in Hungary, of
which Mosonyi was one of the noblest, most valiant and
praiseworthy representatives. One might be proud of walking side
by side with him in the right road. In truth his name had not its
due eclat and renown abroad; but he did not trouble himself the
least about that, and possibly he did not even take enough
trouble about it,--as much by wisdom as by contempt of equivocal
and vulgar means, which were repugnant to the elevated rectitude
of his soul. He felt what esteem was due to him, and thought of
nothing but real glory; that which is attained by conscientious
perseverance in the Good and the Beautiful.

Let us honor his memory by setting ourselves to make his examples
and teaching bear further fruit!--

Many of the published compositions of Mosonyi deserve to be more
and better known; others, still in manuscript,--his last great
dramatic work "Almos" in particular--will soon be spread abroad,
I hope.

We will talk about this shortly at Pest. For today I wish merely
to share with some friend, such as yourself, dear Abranyi, the
grief at the loss which we have sustained. Yours from my heart,

F. Liszt

Szegzard, November 2nd, 1870

107. To Sophie Menter

Dear Patroness,

Your dear little notes joyfully alarm the whole household. All
beg you urgently to come as soon as possible, and I all the more
urgently as I have to go to Vienna at the end of April.

Your bewitching description of the "Ambrosia-Concerto" makes me
most inquisitive: be sure not to forget to bring the tremendous
manuscript with you; we will arrange an historically memorable
performance of it in the salon of the Town-Vicarage.

Hearty greetings, and in all friendliness yours,

F. Listz

Pest, March 22nd, 1871.

In musical matters as follows: this evening and Friday concerts
by Remenyi; next Sunday and on the Wednesday before Easter
Philharmonic concerts;--in between a grand concert at the Musik
Academie of Ofen, and on Good Friday a performance of the Stabat
Mater, etc., etc.

Our programme shall be arranged here, forthwith, by word of
mouth, at any quarter of an hour that my dear patroness Sophie
may feel disposed to appoint.

108. To Edmund von Mihalovich in Budapest

[Composer of several operas and large orchestral works (born
1842), now director of the Music Academy in Budapest.]

.--. Augusz, in his last letter, speaks of fresh proposals on the
subject of my settling in Hungary. I answer him, as before, that
I am quite disposed to show myself accommodating, devoted,
useful, obedient and grateful. The only condition that I make
relative to my return to Pest next winter is--a place to live in;
for, on the one hand, the modesty of my income forbids me to
increase my expenses, and, on the other hand, politeness demands,
as it seems to me, that if they seriously want me they will also
show me that they do, by sparing me the onerous trouble of having
to find a home. On the four occasions on which I have stayed at
Pest since 1865 Schwendtner has shown me the utmost and most
cordial hospitality. I feel a most true gratitude to him, but
should be afraid of showing it ill by taking too great advantage
of his kindness to me.

.--. Mme. de Moukhanoft [The cultivated musical friend of Liszt
and Wagner, to whom the latter dedicated his "Judenthum in der
Musik," whilst Liszt dedicated an Elegic to her memory] writes,
"Has Mihalovich received my letter of tender invectives and
entreaties to make him come to Weimar?"

It will be difficult to persuade her that walks on the shore at
Ostend ought to be preferable to the charm of the talks on the
"Goethe Platz," and even at the "Erb-Prinz," which she will again
favor with her presence towards the middle of June, I hope.
Tausig also promises me to spend a fortnight here.

Mlle. Brandt sang several songs admirably yesterday morning at
the "Hofgartnerei" I shall accompany her in yours tomorrow.

Yours in cordial friendship,

F. Liszt

Weimar, May 29th, 1871

Till the end of June address--Weimar.

109. To Marie Lipsius

Dear and kindest Biographer,

Again an excellent suggestion; follow it without hesitation and
present us ere long with a pleasantly powerful and characteristic
portrait of Tausig. [Liszt's great pupil (born in 1841) had died
in Leipzig on the 17th July, 187l.] In what year of the fifties
his father brought him to Weimar, I do not now recollect; but I
do remember how greatly astonished I was at his extraordinary
talent when I first heard him play. The intellectual claws and
pinions were already giving signs of mighty power in the youth
who was scarcely 14 years of age, and somewhat delicate in
appearance. I felt some compunction in undertaking to give him
further instruction, determined not to undertake the task, and
therefore informed the father that in the case of such a
stupendous organisation the wisest plan was to leave it free,
independent development without a teacher. However Tausig
insisted upon remaining with me. He studied immoderately; as a
rule kept very much to himself while in Weimar, and got into
various little scrapes in consequence of his quick, ironical
humor. I was accused of being over-indulgent with him, and of
thus spoiling him; but I really could not have acted otherwise,
and I loved him with all my heart. On various occasions when I
had to undertake short journeys in connection with the
performances of my works he accompanied me; among other places to
Dresden, Prague and Vienna. Subsequently he lived in Vienna for
some length of time, and got up some concerts there with the view
of having some Symphonic Poems performed which he himself
conducted--but he was unable to get a proper start. He had to
struggle on and to endure many privations before attaining the
success he deserved. His brilliant vocation did not become firmly
established till a few years ago, in Berlin, Leipzig, etc.

In the spring of '69 I met Tausig in Paris (after the
"Tannhauser" scandal), and returned with him to Weimar for the
Tonkunstler-Versammlung. Bulow conducted the Faust Symphony by
heart (at the rehearsals most accurately mentioning the
letters!), and Tausig played the A major Concerto marvellously.
Since then I have seen him only twice: last May at the
Tonkunstler-Versammlung in Weimar (where he played Beethoven's E-
flat major Concerto) and now...

Countess Krokow could give you the most reliable information
about him, and our friend R. Pohl may also be of use to you in
your work. As far as I know, no one has understood Tausig's
genius, his demoniacally ideal nature, with so quick a
perception, so refined and--I might say--with such womanly
intuition, as Frau von Moukhanoff (nee Countess Nesselrode).
Unfortunately the two letters in which she wrote me full
particulars about Tausig are in Rome. Tausig dedicated his two
lately published Etudes, Op. 1, to her, and she was ever a highly
appreciative and kindly patroness of his. Remember to mention her
specially in your delineation of his character.

Of Tausig's publications those chiefly deserving the highest
praise are his masterly transcriptions of the Beethoven Quartets,
the Toccata and Fugue of Bach (D minor), Schubert's March; the
three pieces from "Tristan and Isolde," the pianoforte score of
the "Meistersinger," of the Kaisermarsch, the "Nouvelles Soirees
de Vienne" and his two last original Etudes. Recommend also, for
the good of pianists, and as a very saleable work, an early
publication of his very admirable and well-sustained arrangement
of Chopin's first Concerto (E Minor).

Accept the expression of my sincere esteem and gratitude.

F. Listz

Schloss Wilhelmsthal, Sunday, July 23rd, 1871.

In the middle of this week I return to Weimar and remain there
till the 5th-10th of August.

110. To Franz Servais

Dear Franz,

In spite of the proverb "Every road leads to Rome" I shall not be
able to return there by way of Hal this time. Will you give my
very affectionate respects to your mother and tell her how much I
regret to be unable to be present, except in thought, at the
beautiful family fete at the time of the inauguration of the
monument to your father, on the 10th September.--Shall you not
invite the Prince de Chimay (the present governor of Mons, I
believe)? He would have a right there owing to his sincere
interest for Art and his very distinguished musical talent.

I am persuaded that Lassen will express in noble music the
inspiration of this fete intended to perpetuate the memory of an
illustrious and sympathetic artist. But however successful may be
his composition, it does not absolve you from yours, which filial
affection demands of you and will dictate to you. Write it
without delay, and afterwards take advantage of your leisure at
Hal to fulfil the praiseworthy programme indicated in your
letter:

a. To work hard at the Piano.

b. To help towards your independence by making yourself capable
of cutting a good figure as conductor.

c. To venture on the performance of your "Macbeth" sorceries and
other of your compositions, with the reservation of not hearing
yourself immediately proclaimed king by the sorcerers of
criticism.

Shall you make your appearance at the composition competition
next year? I invite you to do so.

You know that H. Richter has been appointed conductor to the
National Theater of Pest, and will conduct "Lohengrin" there at
the end of September. He will find, I trust, honor and
satisfaction in more firmly implanting in his country the sublime
works of Wagner, and in making the orchestra, the stage and the
public profit by the exemplary rules and practices of M. de Bulow
at Munich. Needless to say that I shall endeavor to make
Richter's task as easy as possible to him.

Count Tyszkiewicz, in passing lately through Weimar, was kind
enough to explain to me his new system of musical mathematics,
and to show me his tables of figures honored with commendatory
letters from Mr. Gevaert and several notabilities. If, by means
of his figures and measures, Tysz. succeeds, as you claim for
him, in demonstrating that X...is a "pyramid," this will be a
more pyramidal glory even than the system.

Next Thursday I go to Eichstatt (Bavaria), where the (German) St.
Cecilia Society meets. Its founder and president F. Witt--a much
respected ecclesiastic, conductor of the Cathedral, composer and
editor of two newspapers of sacred music published by Pustet at
Ratisbon--gives evidence of a great capacity and a persevering
zeal in endeavoring seriously to improve the uses and customs of
Church music, and, by continuous publications, to propagate the
old works of repute as well as the new ones of this class that
are deserving of recommendation.--A pamphlet by Witt, which
appeared in the spring, "uber das Dirigiren der Kirchenmusik"
["about the conducting of Church music"], corrects some grievous
errors and furnishes much profitable instruction.

I shall be much obliged if you will send me a printed account of
your fete of the 10th September; on that day I shall be in Rome,
and shall not return thence till toward the end of October, to
settle at Pest for the winter.

Remember me most kindly to your brother Joseph, [The excellent
Violoncellist Joseph Servais, who died in 1885 at the age of 35]
to Godebski and his wife, and believe, dear Franz, in my
steadfast feelings of devoted affection.

F. Liszt

Wilhelmsthal, August 25th, 1871

Address Rome, Santa Francesca Romana, Campo Vaccino.

What are Joseph's and your plans for the winter?

111. To Walter Bache

Dear Mr. Bache,

Your kind remembrance of the 22nd October has given me sincere
pleasure, for which I thank you cordially. Please excuse me for
not telling you oftener by letter my constant feelings of
affection for you; the hindrance of occupations and cares drives
me, alas! into an extreme parsimony as regards letter writing
with my best friends, but I think that is my only omission
towards them. To see M. de Bulow again was a real joy to me. His
health is improving, and his prodigious maestria at its height.
He is going to make a concert tour this winter in Vienna, Pest,
Prague, Berlin, etc., and will come to London in May. I hope that
the people there will be able to appreciate his superiority in
its entirety. Bulow, more than any contemporary artist, takes the
lead in celebrity. He is not only a very great virtuoso and
musician, but also a veritable sovereign of music. Mme. Laussot,
who has the genius of nobility of the heart, also came to fete me
on Sunday. I shall see her again at Florence in a fortnight, on
my way to Pest, where, as you know, I am henceforth fixed, by
royal and national favor. Whether there or at Weimar, I hope we
shall meet again next summer, dear Bache, in perfect harmony.

Your very cordially affectionate and devoted

F. Liszt

Rome, October 25th, 1871

Bravo and thanks for your concert programmes, which I beg you to
continue sending me.

112. To Marie Lipsius

Dear Patroness,

To your .--. sketch of Tausig only a single objection could be
raised; namely, that you bestow too high praise upon me. Pardon
me if I cannot argue about it, and accept my cordial thanks for
this new tribute of your generous kindness.

Last Sunday (22nd October) I had the great pleasure of a visit
from Bulow. He is going to remain in Florence till the New Year,
and he then begins a categorical concert tour in Vienna, Pest,
Prague, Berlin, Leipzig, and at the end of April goes to London.
His perfect mastery as a virtuoso--in the finest sense of the
word--is in its zenith. To him one might apply Dante's words: "A
master to those who know."

Again my hearty thanks, and wishing you an increase of La Mara's
.--. writings, I remain with much esteem,

Yours very sincerely,

F. Listz

Rome, October 25th, 1871.

In a fortnight's time I travel to Pest.

113. To Breitkopf and Hartel

Dear Sirs,

In order justly to decide the question of plagiarism between
Messrs. Altschul and Joseffy, [Both were pupils of Liszt; the
former is now in Buda-Pest, the latter in New York.] one would
need first of all to compare the manuscripts of the two
disputants. Altschul was kind enough last winter to play me his
version in thirds and sixths of Chopin's "Valse" (in D-flat
major); the other, questionable, version by Joseffy I do not
know. If you think it advisable to send me both versions I am
quite ready to let you have my opinion on the subject. Meanwhile
I will only remark that the multifarious forms of passages in
thirds and sixths--upwards, downwards, to the right, to the left,
or crossing, split up, etc., etc.--admit of a variety of forms of
transcription in thirds and sixths of the Chopin Valse, and hence
Herr Joseffy might quite innocently, in his love of sport as a
virtuoso, have shot down his own bird even within Herr Altschul's
range.

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