Letters of Franz Liszt
Chapter 118 : Early on Sat.u.r.day, at half-past nine, I go direct from here to Paris--and on the 2l

Early on Sat.u.r.day, at half-past nine, I go direct from here to Paris--and on the 2lst June arrives in Erfurt

Yours ever with sincere esteem,

F. Liszt

Weimar, Thursday, June 7th, 1878

My Paris address (from the 10th to the 18th June) will be: Maison Erard, Rue du Mail, 13.

Do publish the programme in the next number of the Zeitschrift; two or three slight alterations will not matter in the least.

233. To Vera Timanoff

Dear ill.u.s.trious One,

I don't know how you will manage to adapt the "Sonnambula" to your little hands; they will have to trot about on the roofs in the style of somnambulists.

A revoir, wide awake, the day after tomorrow,--and a thousand affectionate and devoted regards.

F. Liszt

Thursday [Summer, 1878]

234. To Eduard von Liszt

Dearest Eduard,

I have very little in the way of musical matter to tell you about my stay in Paris from the 9th to the 18th June. I scarcely found time to hear the two last acts of Gounod's "Faust" at the Grand Opera. I was prevented from attending concerts by invitations and visits elsewhere. But I was able to follow attentively the plain- song during High Ma.s.s at Notre Dame on Trinity Sunday, together with a very intelligent friend, R. P. Joseph Mohr (Societate Jesu), a competent judge and promoter of Church music.

Hanslick--who showed himself friendly to me in Paris--will report in the Neue Freie Presse concerning the 13th cla.s.s (musical instruments, etc.), of which he is vice-president.

Madame Erard placed at my disposal a princely suite in her house, Rue du Mail, 13 (with which Spiridion [Liszt's valet] I was quite satisfied); a carriage also in addition. Thanks to this hospitality my expenses were very much diminished, and I only required 1500 francs..--.

My old friend Belloni has also proved himself most faithful this time in Paris, and saved me many expenses. It is wonderful how honest and disinterested he remains, with all his constant contact with the artist-world!--

Immediately on my return I went to Erfurt for the Tonkunstlcr- Versammlung (from the 22nd to the 25th July). The whole affair went off well. I send you in addition the whole programme. Bulow played in a marvellous and masterly manner.

Everything in Weimar is now in a state of commotion over the Ducal-Jubilee-Festivities, which begin the day after tomorrow.

The King of the Netherlands, the King of Saxony, Prince Friedrich Carl of Prussia, several reigning German Dukes and foreign Princes are expected. Our Emperor and King is sending Prince Windischgratz with congratulations to the Grand Duke. Victor Scheffel (the author of "Ekkehard," the "Trompeter von Sackingen," the "Bergpsalmen," etc.) has written the Festival Play, which is to be performed in the theater here on the 9th July. My "Carl-Alexander" March, which was published 20 years ago (by Bote and Bock) in Berlin, is to serve as Prelude.

For 30 years past I have been incrustated into the Royal house of Weimar, and shall remain faithful to it.--

My dearest cousin Marie wrote me a loving, witty note with respect to the photograph of her cousin, Ferd. von Saar, which I wanted for my Grand Duke. I will write my thanks to Marie shortly. Send the accompanying lines to Franz in Gratz; I am congratulating him, in them, that you are now grandpapa.

Heartfelt greetings to the Generalissima.

Thy

F.L.

Weimar, July 6th, 1878

235. To Robert Franz

[A facsimile appeared in the "Musikalisches Wochenblatt." Liszt worked untiringly, like no other of his contemporaries in art, to make the great German Master of Song, Robert Franz (1815-1892), understood and appreciated (See "Robert Franz." Gesammelle Schriften, IV.); and, when increasing deafness prevented this artist from practical musical work, Liszt founded the fund in his honor.]

My Much-Honored Friend,

How beautiful, how deep, how fervently and truly finished are, once more, your "Six Songs" (Opus 48)!

Heartfelt thanks far so kindly sending them. You well know that for thirty years past your genius--a fixed star in German lyrics- -has been sincerely admired by your ever most faithful

F. Liszt

Weimar, July 12th, 1878

236. To Kornel von Abranyi

Dear and Honored Friend,

On arriving here yesterday evening I found your letter, together with the enclosure to Minister Trefort, which I return immediately to you, signed. Agghazy deserves to be helped, because his hands and his head are very musically endowed.

[Agghazy (now teacher of pianoforte playing at Stern's Conservatorium in Berlin) received a stipendium from the Hungarian Government, through Liszt's intercession, in order to make a livelihood in Paris.] Juhasz and he will certainly do honor everywhere to the Budapest Academy of Music. Agghazy must have some letters of introduction for Paris. Advise him to ask for there from Minister Trefort, Ministerial-Counsel Hegedus Friedrich Harkany and Count Geza Zichy. Before his departure I will send him a few lines to Madame Erard, and to my loyal old friend Belloni, who is ever ready to do me a service.

I need scarcely ask, dear Abranyi, how you have pa.s.sed your summer. The chief thing is to hold out steadfastly, and you show this in the n.o.blest manner by your unwearied, meritorious endeavors after the high goal of Art. "Perseverons!"

I think of staying here till the beginning of January, and of returning then direct to Budapest. First of all I must finish a little extra work: as soon as the new setting of the text for the dramatic Oratorio "Der heilige Stanislaus," which Baron Dingelstedt has kindly promised me, comes to hand the composition shall proceed. I am often quite anxious about further writing of music, but I do not give it up, although I do not imagine at all that I can express that which floats before my mind. But my self- dissatisfaction finds ample consolation in the ever-fresh joy at the master-works of the Past and Present:--most of all in Wagner's majestic word-tone-creations. King Ludwig II. of Bavaria rightly addressed "to the Tone-poet Master Richard Wagner."--

Hearty greetings to your family, and ever yours

Sincerely and gratefully,

F. Liszt

September 13th, 1878 (Villa d'Este, Tivoli)

The loss of Augusz touches me most painfully. Since the first performance of the Gran Ma.s.s, more than twenty years ago, we have been one in heart. He it was also who especially decided me to carry out my wish to settle myself in Budapest.

After the opening of the new Academical Course write to me about it.