Letters of Franz Liszt
Chapter 69 : As you see, dearest Eduard, it is impossible to get out of my head the idea of writing

As you see, dearest Eduard, it is impossible to get out of my head the idea of writing notes. [Notenkopfe] In spite of all good precepts and friendly counsellors (who mean it much better by me than I can ever understand!) I go so far as to maintain that for several years past and in many yet to come I have not done and shall not do anything more ingenuous than cheerfully to go on composing. And what more harmless occupation could there be?

especially as I never force my little works upon any one, nay, have frequently begged persons to refrain from giving certain too unconscientious [Play on words "gewissen" and "ungewissenhaft"]

renderings of them,--and that I ask for no further appreciation or approval than can, in fact, be granted according to taste and disposition.

From Pest I have lately received through Baron p.r.o.nay, in the name of the Council of the Conservatoire, an invitation to establish my domicile there, and to promote the interests of Hungarian music. Probably you will hear of my excusatory reply.

Between ourselves, and frankly said in plain German, it would be of no advantage to me again to take up any outward musical activity (such as my conductors.h.i.+p in Weimar which came to an end a few years ago, and after September 1861 became a locked door to me through my Chamberlain's key). But possibly I may later find a fitting opportunity for composing something for Hungary. After the precedent of the "Gran Ma.s.s" I might, for instance, on some extraordinary occasion, be entrusted, say, with a "Te Deum" or something of the kind. I would gladly do my best, and only on some such terms could I regard my return to Hungary as becoming.

Meanwhile remains quietly in Rome, honestly striving to do his duty as a Christian and an artist,

Thine from his heart,

F. Liszt

Rome, November 19th (St. Elizabeth's Day), 1862

12. To Dr. Franz Brendel

Dear Friend,

The difficulties and troubles of the musical situation of which you speak in your last letter but one, I can, unfortunately, only too well understand. No one is better acquainted with such matters than I am, and hence no one is better able to appreciate and recognise the value of your unselfish, persevering work and efforts, which also show you so sincere in your convictions. And one of the dark sides in my present position, dear friend, is that I can be of so little use to you, that I am compelled to remain in a state of pa.s.sivity and forbearance that does not at all agree with me. However, you may rely upon my readiness to render any a.s.sistance wherever I may still be able to help.--In accordance with your wish I shall take an early opportunity of writing to Prince H[ohenzollern] concerning the Tonkunstler- Verein. It is to be hoped that our amiable, n.o.ble-minded patron will show himself no less disposed in our favor than he has done on former occasions. And you, on your part, do not fail to discuss with Seifriz by letter the points and modals of the support expected. It is a pity that Bulow's proposal to hold the next meeting of the T.K. Verein in Lowenberg has not proved feasible. Were it likely to be broached again I should not make any objections to it, because, in fact, the place seems to be precisely a favorable centre at present. But, as already said, it is not my place to express any definite opinion on the subject, and I am entirely satisfied in leaving all that has to be done to your judgment and foresight.

I am delighted to hear of Bulow's extraordinary success in Leipzig, and still more so to hear of your renewed and intimate relations with him. He is the born prototype of progress, and n.o.ble-minded to a degree! Without his active co-operation as director and standard-bearer a Tonkunstler-Versammlung at the present time would at least be an anachronism.

From Wagner I lately received a letter in which he informed me of a performance of his "Tristan" in Vienna towards the end of January. Afterwards he intends arranging some concerts in Berlin- -and, it seems, in St. Petersburg also. My endeavors to secure him comfortable quarters in Weimar seem for the time being to be useless, because of his dislike to an insignificant appointment, and the adverse circ.u.mstances of life in a small town. Certainly his project of drawing annually 3,000 thalers (*450 British pounds sterling*), by some agreement between the Grand Dukes of Weimar and Baden, is much more to the point. The question is only whether their Highnesses will consent to it? .--.

With heartiest greetings, most sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

December 30th, 1862

13. To Breitkopf and Hartel

Dear Herr Doctor,

The four scores of the Beethoven Symphonies, of which you advised me in your friendly letter, reached me yesterday. My eyes are meanwhile revelling and delighting in all the glories of the splendid edition, and after Easter I shall set to work. Nothing shall be wanting on my part, in the way of goodwill and industry, to fulfil your commission to the best of my power. A pianoforte arrangement of these creations must, indeed, expect to remain a very poor and far-off approximation. How instil into the transitory hammers of the Piano breath and soul, resonance and power, fulness and inspiration, color and accent?--However I will, at least, endeavor to overcome the worst difficulties and to furnish the pianoforte-playing world with as faithful as possible an ill.u.s.tration of Beethoven's genius.

And I must ask you, dear Herr Doctor, in order that the statement on all the t.i.tle pages--"critically revised edition"--may be complied with, to send me--together with your new edition of the scores of the "Pastoral," the C minor, and A major Symphonies--a copy of my own transcriptions of them. Probably I may alter, simplify, and correct pa.s.sages--and add some fingerings. The more intimately acquainted one becomes with Beethoven, the more one clings to certain singularities and finds that even insignificant details are not without their value. Mendelssohn, at whose recommendation you formerly published my pianoforte scores of the "Pastoral" and C minor Symphonies, took great delight in these minutiae and niceties!--

With regard to the agreement about the A major Symphony I mean shortly to write to Carl Haslinger, and expect that he will be quite willing to meet my wish. [A pianoforte transcription of this Symphony by Liszt had been published by Haslinger.]

With grateful thanks, dear Herr Doctor, I remain yours in readiness and sincerity,

F. Liszt

Rome, March 26th, 1863

P.S.--The four Symphonies shall be finished before the end of summer and sent to Leipzig. If you are satisfied with my work would you entrust the arrangement of the Overtures to me when I have finished the Symphonies--provided, of course, that you have not made any agreement with any one else?

14. To A. W. Gottschalg in Weimar

Dear Friend,

This year my name-day fell in the middle of Easter week, on Maundy Thursday. Your hearty letter again brought what to me is the pleasantest news in the world. Thank you for it, and let those know of it who share your sincere, friendly, and faithful sentiments! First let me mention Carl Gotze, [A chorister in Weimar (a favorite copyist of the Master's) became a musical conductor in Magdeburg and died in 1886.] whose kindly words I should so gladly like to answer in accordance with his wish, and then my dear Kammer-virtuoso, Grosse. Grosses trombone no doubt officiated brilliantly at Bulow's concert and at the performance of Berlioz's opera! An echo of the former reached me, thanks to your inspired notice in Brendel's paper, where I accidentally came across a little remark which you had addressed to one of the most estimable and graceful of German lady-singers anent my little-heeded songs. I certainly cannot find fault with you for showing some interest in the songs and for thus frankly expressing your opinion. On the contrary, your sympathetic appreciation is always welcome, amid the direct and indirect disparagement which falls to my lot. Unfortunately, however, I must make up my mind that only by way of an exception can I expect to find friends for my compositions. The blame is mine; why should one presume to feel independently, and set the comfortable complacency of other folks at defiance?--Everything that I have written for several years past shows something of a pristine delinquency which is as little to be pardoned as I am unable to alter it. This fault, it is true, is the life-nerve of my compositions, which, in fact, can only be what they are and nothing else.--

In the Psalms I have made some important alterations, and shall shortly send Kahnt the ma.n.u.script. A few pa.s.sages (especially the verse "Sing us one of the songs of Zion") which had always appeared awkward to me in the earlier version, I have now managed to improve. At least they now pretty well satisfy my soul's ear.

The "Christus" Oratorio is progressing but slowly, owing to the many interruptions which I have to put up with this winter. It is to be hoped I may obtain some entire months of work during the summer. I thirst for it.

Of the musical undertakings here you will learn the more noteworthy events from a paper I sent to Brendel last week.

Further and fuller news about myself is meanwhile uncertain.

Probably I shall in the end not find myself able to do anything better than to put my whole story in the musical notes that I am incessantly writing down, but which need not either be printed or heard.

However that may be, I remain, dear friend, in sincere affection, yours gratefully and in all friends.h.i.+p,

F. Liszt

Rome, April 14th, 1863

P.S.--The Bach-Alb.u.m and other music which you say you had to send me (e.g., your arrangement of the Dante fugue if it has been printed) please let me have through Kahnt. Enclose also a copy of the Ave Maria for Organ.

[Figure: Musical Score Excerpt]

15. To Dr. Franz Brendel

Dear friend,

The last months brought so many interruptions in my work that I still feel quite vexed about it. Easter week I had determined should, at last, see me regularly at work again; but a variety of duties and engagements have prevented my accomplis.h.i.+ng this. I must, therefore, to be true to myself and carry out my former intention, shut myself up entirely. To find myself in a net of social civilities is vexatious to me; my mental activity requires absolutely to be free, without which I cannot accomplish anything.

How things will turn out later about my proposed journey to Germany I do not yet know. Probably my weary bones will be buried in Rome. Till then their immovability will serve you better than my wandering about on railways and steamboats. On the other hand, there is but little for me to do in Germany. War is at the door; drums and cannon will come to the fore; G.o.d protect the faith of heroes and give victory to the righteous among humanity! .--.

Where is Wagner, and what about the performances of "Tristan", the "Nibelungen", and the "Meistersinger" in Weimar or elsewhere?

Tell me of this. I have not written to Weimar for long, and have also not had any news from there. My only German correspondent (Frau von Bulow) is suffering from some eye-trouble, which has interrupted our exchange of letters...so I am absolutely ignorant of what is going on. The February numbers of the "Neue Zeitschrft" are the last I have received. Your articles on Criticism are excellent, and, indeed, nothing else was to be expected. Give Louis Kohler my most friendly thanks for his kind perseverance in "paving the way for my scores to receive more kindly appreciation." The more thankless the task the more heartily grateful do I feel to my friends.

Most sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

Rome, May 8th, 1863