Letters of Franz Liszt
Chapter 117 : Without ever talking twaddle about patriotism, yet in all modesty I will not be wantin

Without ever talking twaddle about patriotism, yet in all modesty I will not be wanting where there is something to be done for Hungary.

[The telegram, dated 21st April, is as follows: "Abbe Franz Liszt, Weimar. Universal wish that you should represent Hungary in International Jury of Paris Universal Exhibition. Jury begins on 1st June, lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. Please accept confidential mission, and wire reply immediately to Presidential Bureau, Handelsministerium, Budapest. Minister Trefort. Count Julius Szapary."

To this Liszt replied: "Most ready for service, Liszt begs for full particulars of his duties."]

As soon as my duty in Paris as an Hungarian Member in the International Jury is fulfilled I shall return here. I have promised to be present at the Tonkunstler-Versammlung in Erfurt in the last week of June, and on the 8th July Weimar celebrates the jubilee of the 25th year of the accession of the Grand Duke.

.--. I shall be much pleased to make the acquaintance of Herr Adalbert Goldschmidt. I have several times hankered after the score or pianoforte score of his grand work "Die Todsunden" ["The Mortal Sins"], which, so I am told, has not yet appeared in print. Is the composer staying long in Hanover? Probably I shall go to see Bulow and Bronsart there immediately after the Erfurt Tonkunstler-Versammlung, at the end of June.

You remember that I categorically dissuaded Fraulein Remmert from giving an orchestral concert in Vienna. In spite of that she had it announced and advertised,...and in the end there only came of it a vexatious mancando, perdendosi!

Ah! the artist-world is full of troubles! Thy faithful and heartfelt-devoted

F. Liszt

Weimar, April 26th, 1878

229. To Hofconcertmeister Edmund Singer

Dear Honored Friend,

Your charming, gifted ill.u.s.tration of my little Quelle [spring]

[Liszt's "Au bord d'une source" (Annees de Pelerinage), for three violins concertante (Schott, Mainz)] delights me anew. The three violins flow, splash, bubble and sing--and sound like rainbow colors.

With friendly thanks for this Artist-gift, I remain your ever respectfully obliged

F. Liszt

Weimar, May 10th, 1878

230. To Adolf von Henselt in St. Petersburg

[The "German Chopin," as Henselt has been called (1814-1889), lived in St. Petersburg from the year 1838, where, after Liszt's first visit there in 1842, they became warm friends. Henselt sent his "interpretation" of Liszt's Lucia-Fantasia to the latter "for correction." The above letter is in answer to that.]

My Honored Friend,

The original works of Adolf Henselt's are the n.o.blest jewels of Art. One longs for more of them...

By-the-by, when Henselt gives a hope of arranging, "interpreting," "making an effect with" other compositions, he succeeds so admirably that the public,

the pianists, and the compositions in question are thereby enriched and favored. Even my little "Lucia"-transcription has gained much by throe "interpretation," dear friend. Hearty thanks for this reminiscence of our Petersburg intimacy.

The proof-copy I simply sent back to you, unaltered and nothing crossed out, as all the various readings are admirably suitable, and henceforth I leave it to your good pleasure to decide about the publis.h.i.+ng. (In Russia Hofmeister's German copyright holds good, does it not? ...)

Tomorrow I go to Paris, and will observe there your recommendation of the Russian instrument.

Many of your admirers frequently tell me about you; above all Zschocher and Topfer. You come backwards and forwards to Dresden and Leipzig; why not also to Weimar?...Answer this modest question in person here to throe old and most faithful

F. Liszt

Weimar, June 5th, 1878

231. To Eduard von Liszt

[Weimar, June 6th, 1878]

Dearest Eduard,

Adalbert Goldschmidt has brought you Weimar news. I consider his "Todsunden" a remarkable Art-work. If the composer maintains himself on these heights in his next Opera his name will become famous in spite of all the critics...

Nowadays, more than ever, the public thirst for Opera alone.

Everything else in music is nonsense to them. There is a French saying--"There is some one who is wittier than Mr. de Voltaire; that is everybody"--and when all the world gets a fancy into its head one must certainly consider it either reasonable, or stupid,--but necessary--

With With regard to the delay of the Jury (Cla.s.s 13, "Instruments de Musique") I go to Paris next Sunday, 8th June, remain there till the 19th, and return here on the 20th June on account of the Erfurt Musical Festival...

Thy faithful, loving

F. Liszt

To simplify our correspondence call me also "Dearest Franz."

My Grand Duke much wishes to have the photograph of your son-in- law's cousin, the poet Saar. Send me this speedily.

232. To Professor Carl Riedel

Dear Friend,

The further carrying out and arranging of the Erfurt programme I lease to your long-tried and complete mastery.

I once more recommend Borodin's Symphony; the quartet parts that are wanting can certainly be speedily written out next week (at my expense).

The study of the numerous works will offer no difficulties in Sondershausen; there they are accustomed to step boldly forward.

Friend Riedel conducts my 13th Psalm; Bulow undertakes the two Faust-episodes (in case these are not struck out, as I did advise you to do); and I retain the "Hungaria" and Bronsart's Concerto; but for several reasons I beg that my name may not be put on the programme as conductor.

I told Concertmeister Kompel [A pupil of Spohr's; died not long ago at Weimar] and L. Grutzmacher [Solo violoncellist] (the Weimarer) yesterday that Bulow wishes to play the Bronsart Trio with them. Both gentlemen are quite agreed about this.

If Frau Erdmannsdorfer would play some other brilliant piano piece (not of my composition), rather than the often-heard Hungarian Fantasie, I should prefer it, just because the programme already contains too many Liszt things, and I could not myself bear the false appearance of making use of the Tonkunstler-Versammlungen for bringing forward my compositions...

My real feeling on this matter has been known to you for years past.--