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

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30

November 10th, 1876

I thank you most sincerely for your friendly intention of giving
my Beethoven-Cantata in the performance at the Royal Opera House
for the benefit of the monument to Beethoven. By today's post you
will receive the whole printed score, together with a separate
edition of the orchestrated Andante (from the B-flat major Trio),
which shines, like a guiding star, above my insignificant work.
The Cantata was published by Kahnt, Leipzig, in the year 1870,
and was also first brought out in Weimar, then in Pest, on the
occasion of the Beethoven Jubilee Celebration. If, my dear Sir,
the orchestration to some extent pleases you, I should advise you
to take up this alone in your programme on the 15th December.

The remaining movements might meet with many hindrances in
Vienna...and, frankly, I have become altogether somewhat shy as
regards the performance of my compositions. Although I quietly
endure their foregone want of success with prevailing criticism,
it is my duty not to let my friends be injured by it.

Once again hearty thanks for your goodwill and meritorious
conducting of Wagner.

F. Liszt

199. To Breitkopf and Hartel

Dear Sirs,

Your communication to me of the 25th October has been very much
delayed, owing to my change of residence several times during the
past weeks. There is surely no need to assure you that I never
thought of causing any unpleasantness at all to any one--more
especially judicially [The publisher of "Tannhauser" had tried to
make out that Liszt's arrangement of the March was a "piracy."]
In particular my connection with your very honorable house for
more than 30 years has ever been most simple and honest. This is
also shown by my two quoted letters of the 17th February and 3rd
April, 1853, with reference to the publication by your firm of
the "Tannhauser and Lohengrin pieces," whose publication at that
time I was quite "the agreement" with Richard Wagner in
suggesting.

Certainly I could not, without injuring the Tannhauser March, go
all through the original, loading it with shakes, and here and
there adding arpeggios. However, if "connoisseurs" will look
through my transcription in detail, they will easily discover
that neither the variation on the principal theme, nor the
modulating of the second, nor in any manner the whole setting of
the pianoforte arrangement, could be found fault with as a
"piracy."

With much esteem,

Very sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

November 12th, 1876

Budapest (where I stay the whole winter)

200. To Constantin Sander, Music Publisher in Leipzig

[Autograph in possession of M. Alfred Bovet in Valentigney.]

Very honored Sir,

Best thanks for kindly sending me the "collected writings of
Hector Berlioz" and some novelties of your firm. The compositions
of Tschaikowsky interest me. A few of my pupils here play his
Concerto and several of his pieces really capitally. I have also
recommended Riedel to include Tschaikowsky's Symphony in the
programme of the next Tonkunstler-Versammlung.

Otto Reubke's arrangement of the Schubert Quartet [In A minor,
published by Sander (F. E. C. Leuckart).] for one performer on
the pianoforte seems to me well done, though the 3rd bar of the
first Allegro should stand thus,--

[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt]

because in the latter case the important E of the melody cannot
be held on, etc.--

I know the manuscript of an excellent arrangement of Schubert's D
minor Quartet for 2 hands, the author of which, a man of very
high standing, I do not today mention by name. But should you be
inclined to publish this Quartet (arranged for 2 hands on the
P.F.) I will gladly give you further particulars.--

By today's post you receive my last revision of Berlioz's
"Symphonie fantastique." I have added two remarks to the title
which I beg you to notice and adhere to. Thus "Piano Score"--not
"Arrangement."...Then it is absolutely necessary to insert the
whole programme of Berlioz, French and German, in your 2nd
edition (on the 1st page after the title-page). If necessary my
friend Richard Pohl will give you the original French text and
the translation.

With sincere regard, yours in all friendship,

F. Liszt

Budapest, November 15th, 1867

P.S.--I keep the copy of the Witzendosf edition for a while, and
send you today only the Paris edition, together with the last
proof copy of the "Symphonie fantastique."

201. To Breitkopf and Hartel

November 23rd, 1876

Dear Sir and Friend,

Before Herr W. Juranyi handed me your letter I had replied to the
earlier communication from your esteemed house with reference to
the same matter.

Accept once again the assurance that I lay great stress upon the
continuation of our friendly relations, which have now existed
for 36 years. As far as this depends on me it shall never cease.

Your letter contains two proposals:--

1. To recommend Wagner to sign a legal document.

This is entirely opposed to my peaceable practices.

2. To prepare an enlarged version of the transcription of the
"Tannhauser-March."

Acquiescing in this, I will send you the day after tomorrow a
couple of pages of notes [musical] for the purpose of an enlarged
edition. I cannot decide whether these acquire a legal value, but
in any case they prove to you, dear Sir, my sincere readiness.

My "Wagner-Transcriptions," by-the-by, were not in any way a
matter of speculation to me. Appearing at the beginning of the
fifties, when only the Weimar theater had the honor of performing
"Tannhauser," "Lohengrin" and the "Flying Dutchman," such
transcriptions only served as modest propaganda on the inadequate
Piano for the sublime genius of Wagner, whose radiating glory now
and henceforth belongs to the Pride of Germany.

With high esteem most sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

Budapest, November 23rd, 1876

202. To the Music Publisher Constantin Sander

Very honored Sir,

You have rightly guessed that Herr von Keudell's "excellent"
transcription of Schubert's D minor Quartet is finished. It now
only remains for you to write to His Excellency, that you may put
this work in your window.

Reubke has succeeded very well with the B minor Rondo of
Schubert, only, to my thinking, he should add the now
indispensable pedal marks to it. By the same post I send you his
manuscript together with a few remarks, and beg you to thank
Reubke for his friendly dedication, and also to compliment him
especially on the refined and beautifully effective carrying out
of the subject--

[Here appears notated four measures of the theme.]

Yours most truly,

F. Liszt

Budapest, November 29th, 1876

203. To Vera Timanoff

[First Tausig's pupil (also Rubinstein's for a little while),
from 1875 she studied every summer with Liszt as long as he
remained in Weimar. In 1880 she became pianist to the Court at
Weimar.]

Dear Virtuosa,

I telegraphed immediately to you at Laibach, to tell you to come
without ceremony. Your talent is such that it would convert even
the Turks, and I assure you that the audience at the Pest
concerts will be delighted to applaud you. As to the title which
you propose to take, I think it is too modest for you, but there
would be an excess of modesty on my part in saying anything
against it...so let us be reciprocally proud of it and don't let
us advertise it!

A revoir soon,--and always

Your affectionately devoted

F. Liszt

Budapest, November 29th, 1876

Be so kind as to give my most cordial regards to Monsieur and
Madame Bosendorfer.

204. To Otto Reubke at Halle-on-the-Saale

[Now Music Director at the University there]

Dear Herr Reubke,

Your Arrangement [of Schubert's B minor duet for pianoforte
alone] pleases me uncommonly. I beg you to notice the alterations
I have made on the accompanying sheet of music-paper. This
version is not quite so much like the original as yours, but, as
the great thing is to bring out a fortissimo, we may well allow
inaccuracies of this kind in favor of the performer and of
effect.

You are requested to add to your excellent Arrangement of the
Schubert Rondo much pedal and some fingering,

By your warmly attached

F. Liszt

Budapest, November, 1876

205. To Marianne Brandt, Kammersangerin in Berlin

December 3rd, 1876

Dear honored Friend,

What is always very pleasant and dear to me is your goodwill.
With my hearty thanks for it I send today the little notice.
"Jeanne d'Arc au bucher" ["Joan of Arc at the Stake"] came out a
few months ago at Schott's (Mainz). This short dramatic Scena can
be sung with either pianoforte or orchestral accompaniment. The
chorus is conspicuous by its absence. Johanna [Jeanne] alone has
to perform. N.B.--Only the second edition (published 1876) is to
be used; not the first, which also came out at Schott's 30 years
ago. Schott sent me no copy of it; it was too much trouble for
Berlin to correspond with Mainz via Budapest. Herr Capellmeister
Mannstadt [Now Capellmeister at the Court theater in Wiesbaden.]
will therefore be so kind as to order the "Johanna" (full score
and piano score) at Schott's, if you really have the goodness to
sing it. [It was done in honor of Liszt's presence in Berlin,
which was celebrated by the performance of some of his works.]
There might possibly be special feelings now in Berlin against
it, in spite of Schiller's Tragedy, "Die Jungfrau von Orleans."
Therefore think the matter over.

For years past I have been mostly obliged to dissuade people from
the performance of my large works. The general public usually
goes by what is said by the critics, whose most prominent organs
among the newspapers are hostile to me. Why should I go into
useless quarrels and thereby compromise my friends? Peace and
order are the first duties of citizens, which I have doubly to
fulfil both as honorable citizen and artist.

As for the rest, dear friend, if it suits you to sing any one of
my musical compositions, be assured of the sincerest thanks of

Yours most truly,

F. Liszt

206. To the Committee of the Beethoven Monument in Vienna

[From a copy by Dr. Mirus in Weimar]

December 10th, 1876

Honored Gentlemen,

Rejoiced to be able to help you, I will work with you with a full
heart and both hands in the concert for the Beethoven Monument.

Allow me to answer your friendly remark about the performance of
Beethoven's Choral Fantasia thus,--that I should not think of
performing any other work at this concert than one absolutely
written by Beethoven, and consequently my share in the concert
programme will consist of the E-flat major Concerto. [It did not
consist of that. Liszt did after all play the Pianoforte Part of
the Choral Fantasia, Op. 80.]

I beg you will kindly communicate to the honored Secretary of the
Committee, Herr Zellner, my hints with regard to the Beethoven
Scholarship in Leipzig.

Accept, Gentlemen, the expression of my high esteem.

F. Liszt

207. To Eduard von Liszt

Budapest, January 2nd, 1877

Dearest, Most Honored Cousin,

I always remain faithful to thee in heartiest agreement with thy
thoughts and feelings. Every year brings us nearer to the
fulfilment of our hope in Jesus Christ the Savior!

"He that endureth to the end shall be saved!"--

I am now quite recovered from my little attack. If there were
nothing worse in this world than sprained legs and physical
suffering, one could be quite satisfied. Moreover I belong to the
very favored and happy ones, even as regards physical suffering.

There is nothing particular going on here which I need mention.
Four times weekly I have a class for pianists and pianistes,
native and foreign. Half a dozen of these distinguish themselves
and will be able to grow into capable public artists.
Unfortunately there are far too many concerts and concert-
players. As Dingelstedt quite truly said, "The theater is a
necessary evil, the concert a superfluous one." I am trying to
impress this sentence on my disciples of the Hungarian Academy of
Music.

As you know, Budapest possesses three musical Institutions: the
Conservatorium (which has existed 36 years and counts several
hundred scholars), the Hungarian Theatrical School, and the new
and still small Academy of Music. An excellent younger friend of
mine, Count Geza Zichy, is president of the Conservatorium; an
older one, Count Leo Festetics, president of the Theatrical
School; and my humble self acts in the same position at the
Academy of Music, whose Director Franz Erkel and General
Secretary Abranyi proceed most zealously and judiciously. I have
only pleasant relations with them both, and the Minister Trefort
is already well-disposed towards me, because he knows that I save
him unnecessary annoyance and expense. Most likely the Academy of
Music will in two years' time be so flourishing that there will
be more to say about it; in the meantime let us study--and be
silent. .--.

Heartiest greetings to thy family, and au revoir in Schottenhof
[Eduard Liszt's home in Vienna.] in the middle of March, on the
occasion of the "Beethoven-Monument Concerts."

Thy

F. Liszt

The Christmas week has beggared me. Be so good as to send me very
quickly 500 gulden, for I have hardly 60 left.

208. To Walter Bache

Truly, dear Bache, you are a wonder-working friend. Your
persevering trouble, exertions, expenditure of time and money for
the production of my bitterly-criticised compositions in London
during the past fifteen years, are among the most uncommon
occurrences in the annals of Art. Once again heartiest thanks;
please also to thank Mr. Manns properly for his excellent
conducting of "Mazeppa." Things of that kind are awkward both for
conductors and performers. But how can one go on making music
with what is idly convenient, even when this is raised into
importance under the guise of being classical?

Hueffer's translation of Wagner's letter pleases me. Friendly
greeting to Hueffer [Musical author in London, lately deceased]
and Dannreuther [Musician in London] from

Your grateful and very devoted

F. Liszt

Budapest, March 9th, 1877

At the beginning of April I shall be back in Weimar. I am pleased
that you included the old "Loreley," with fresh orchestral
accompaniments, in your concert programme. Give my respectful
compliments to the friendly singer Mrs. Osgood.

209. To Eduard von Liszt

Weimar, July 3rd, 1877

Dearest Eduard,

For some weeks I have been much on the go and disturbed in many
ways. Several musical performances occasioned me to go about in
the neighborhood. On the 17th June some portions of the "Christus
Oratorio" were splendidly sung in the Thomaskirche (Leipzig) by
the Riedel Verein. Last Friday "Elizabeth" came brilliantly to
the fore again in Eisenach, and yesterday Gille, my untiring
friend of many years' standing, arranged a large concert of
sacred music (with several items of mine), at which I was
present.

I do indeed regret that I am not able to accept in person the
kind invitation of my beloved nephew Franz for his wedding-day.
It would be much better for me to be more with you
all!...Enclosed are a few words to Franz. Arrange for my proxy as
a witness at the marriage ceremony. Whoever is chosen by you will
be worthy and right to me: as for me I should choose my friend
Bosendorfer.

I go the day after tomorrow to Berlin for two days; then I am
bidden farther and nearer till the end of July. I shall
respectfully announce to the Frau Furstin [Princess] my arrival
in Rome--beginning of August. Please send me here on the 20th
July the money for the journey, and something over--about 1200
marks [about 60 pounds]. I must not have any other debts except
moral ones. Our name Liszt in the Hungarian language means Flour:
we will provide good wheaten meal "ex adipe frumenti" with thee,
Franz, and thy children.

Truly devoted,

F. L.

.--. I shall visit you in the middle of November on the return
journey from Rome to Pest,--where I think of spending the winter,
as formerly.

Heartiest greetings to your wife and Marie.

210. To Ludwig Bosendorfer

Honored Friend,

You have been just as much a pianoforte maker as I have been, and
still remain, alas! an almost posthumous pianoforte player.

My friend Berlioz asked: "Do you believe that I can listen to
music for my pleasure?" Nevertheless we intend to continue our
Music and Piano "for our good pleasure."

Thanks for letter and telegram.

Heartily devoted,

F. Liszt

Weimar, July 12th, 1877

211. To Edmund von Mihalovich

.--. In order to obtain this performance [Of Mihalovich's Opera
"Hagbar."] I think it necessary and indispensable (as I have
already told you) that you should lay a regular siege in person
to the Intendant, the Capellmeister, and the singers, male and
female, of the theater which you choose.

The new serious Operas are now regarded with suspicion and are in
disgrace everywhere. Several trials have been made of them here
and there of late years. In the happiest of them the public
applauded warmly during the first performances, and abstained
from attending the following ones. Consequently the coffers
remained empty: ergo, it is the receipts which prove real
success. If Wagner's marvellous chefs d'oeuvre hold their own in
the repertoire, it is because they make money and continue to
draw even a large contingent of detractors. .--.

Weimar, July 20th, 1877

Towards the middle of August I shall be in Rome, and shall stay
at the Villa d'Este until my return to Pest in November.

212. To Kornel von Abranyi

Weimar, July 28th, 1877

Honored Friend,

Dear Secretary-General of the "Zene Akademia," [i.e. Academy of
Music of the Country.] Sincere thanks for your significant
communication, which I answer immediately, point by point.
[Abranyi had informed Liszt, as President of the Academy, of the
course of instruction (1877) and concerts, and had also asked him
for his opinion on several Art questions.]

1. The conclusion of the year '77 with the examination concerts
(25 to 28 June--and the "Magyar Hangverseny" [An Hungarian
Concert.] on the 30th June) has been very gratifying. Let us
rejoice in the praiseworthy performances of Messrs. Juhasz,
Agghazi, Swoboda, and of the ladies Frau Knapp, Fraulein Lepessy,
[The above-mentioned were favorite pupils of the Master at the
Academy.] etc., in Counterpoint, Harmony, Composition,
Aesthetics, Hungarian music and the indispensable Piano-playing.

The work best praises the Master: in like manner do the pupils,
when preparing themselves for pre-eminence, praise their teacher.
The "Zene Akademia" has not to work for the universally usual
kind of musical study, but has indeed a weightier, higher task to
fulfil.

2. The publication of your "Academic lectures" I had especially
recommended to His Excellency Minister Trefort. "Suitable
teaching and departmental books" printed in the Hungarian
language are inaccessible. You, my honored Secretary-General,
have to look after that,--and the Minister will certainly support
your scientific-patriotic work for the use and benefit of
learners and teachers at the "Zene Akademia"--and further, in all
Hungary.

3. As to the "Plan of classes in the department for Church music,
Singing and Organ," I can now only repeat my previously expressed
wish that the right and able person of good working capability
may be found for conducting these classes. Neither invalids nor
dabblers may officiate at No. 4, Fischplatz!--[Liszt's house,
and, for the time, the locale of the Academy.] If unfortunately
the right reverend Herr F. Witt should continue unable to fill
the post offered to him in Budapest, I shall propose that the new
director should come for a year on trial. And a complaisant sort
of Protection is thereby to be avoided, for the matter in
question is nothing less than the worthy thriving and culture of
Church music in Hungary.

4. I consider as necessary the appointment of an experienced
Pianoforte Professor, one who is pushing forwards, and who will
be able to relieve our highly honored Director Herr F. Erkel of a
part of his very meritorious but excessive exertions. Meanwhile I
protest strongly against desiring to have a professorship without
salary. Fees with honor; judicious restrictions without beggarly
management; otherwise we shall come to grief.

5. I beg that my "jubilee-stipend," entrusted to me in the most
honorable manner by the municipality of Budapest, may next year
('78) be apportioned to the same artists as this year. I will
gladly sign all the papers having reference to this. Looking
forward to the speedy appearance of your Study of Harmony, and of
the collected writings of our never-to-be-forgotten friend
Mosonyi, together with his biography and Abranyi's new
compositions, and greeting your laudable and persistent endeavors
in the cause of Art with sympathetic recognition,

I remain, with best regards, yours truly,

F. Liszt

Next week I journey farther--shall be in Rome by the middle of
August--and in November in Pest, where I intend to spend the
winter again. Write to me in September: my address will be Villa
d'Este, Tivoli, (presso) Roma, Italia.

I beg you to give the enclosed lines to Frau Knapp.

213. To the Music Publisher Constantin Sander

Very dear Sir,

I shall have much pleasure in preparing the re-discovered
manuscript of the "Harold Symphony" (Score for Piano and Alto
[viola]) for the dress and in entrusting it to you. Send me the
manuscript soon, together with the original score of Berlioz,
which is necessary for the accurate revision of the arrangement.
My fee shall be a moderate one, as I am pleased that your firm is
going to publish this arrangement, which was finished in
Switzerland forty years ago. I would have made it public long
since, if the manuscript had not been lost.

Sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, Tivoli (near Rome), September 5th, 1877

Please send with it a copy of the excellent Trio of Edward
Napravnik. My friend Sgambati will produce it publicly in Rome,
and make it a success.

214. To Adelheid von Schorn at Weimar

Dear and honored One,

When one is at a loss what to say or write, well--one tries to
help oneself with music. Enclosed I forward you the song of your
noble-hearted mother: "Ach, was ist Leben doch so schwer!" [Ah,
why is life so burdensome!] My setting is so managed that you
will easily master it, as well in the singing as in the
accompaniment. [Published in the 8th book of Songs under the
title "Sei still" ("Be still")]

Faithfully yours,

F. Liszt

Rome, September 15th, 1877

215. To Breitkopf and Hartel

Honored Sirs,

.--. May my slight share in your edition of Chopin's works, which
nearly all belong to your firm, be of use to you. I remarked
before how little really remains to be done to Chopin's
compositions, as he himself, with praiseworthy and exceptional
accuracy, added every possible instruction to the performer--even
to the pedal indications, which in no other author appear so
frequently.--Your collaborators will certainly find accuracy and
authenticity of the original text in Karl Klindworth's Moscow
edition of Chopin. I chose the "Etudes," because the first volume
was dedicated to me, and the second too for the matter of that
(at that time). I gladly dispense with a revision of both, and
beg you particularly, dear Sirs, not to expose me to an unseemly
rivalry. I will always maintain a most peaceful attitude towards
my honored colleagues, and, wherever they please, allow their
influence and opinion to have free play.

According to your letter, you repudiate the idea of "an
instructive edition with other additions" of Chopin's works. Are
then the directions for fingering also to be omitted?...All the
more undisturbed will the leisure of the collaborators be.--

Last week I sent you the corrections of the "Triomphe funebre du
Tasse," as well as the "Impromptu." Tomorrow "Heroide funebre"
(for four hands) will follow, and very soon I am expecting the
"Hunnenschlacht," which completes all the arrangements for four
hands of the 12 "Symphonic Poems." A complete edition of them in
3 or 4 volumes (as you may judge best) will be a pleasure to me.

In spite of the much criticising, ignoring, and denunciation,
which these things have had to suffer for 20 years, they are
perhaps not yet quite done to death.

I beg you to add the Prefaces and Poems (French and German) to
the edition for four hands, as well as to the scores, and also to
the further editions for 2 pianos. The same with regard to the
transcription for piano of the "Triomphe funebre" (Italian and
German), because, as a matter of fact, a well-disposed programme
composer uses such hints more than is generally supposed. Of
course the dedication of the "Impromptu"--"a Madame la Baronne
Olga de Meyendorff, nee Princesse Gortschakoff"--must not be left
out.

With distinguished respect,

Your obedient

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, September 26th, 1877

Till the end of October my address will be: 43, Via dei Greci,
Roma (Italia). From the middle of November: Budapest (Hungary).

216. To Frau Ingeborg von Bronsart in Hanover

Dear Kind Friend,

I am much touched by your charming letter, and grieved at not
being able to accept your friendly invitation. That would
certainly be more agreeable than to attend to all sorts of
duties; but, since three parts of these are self-imposed, I am
all the more bent upon fulfilling them; and, in order to keep
faith with myself, I am returning to Budapest before the middle
of November, and shall remain there till April. Perhaps I am less
useless there than elsewhere; it is an idea or an illusion of
mine.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30