In reply to your inquiry, I must mention Herr and Frau von Milde and Frau Dr. Merian as specially well acquainted with and capable of taking the solo parts.

Accept the a.s.surance of my utmost grat.i.tude for your eagerness to give a performance of the Christus in Munich.

Most respectfully and sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

101. To Edmund Von Mihalovich

Very Dear Friend,

In spite of the legion of Dessoff, calm plains or storms, go on roaring bravely in the waters of the "Phantom Ship." Even should we not succeed in arriving safely in port, and should we meet no other Senta than Her Highness Madam Criticism, it matters not; those who follow us in the same waters of the Ideal will be more fortunate...

"Et quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt!"--

We will talk about all this fully in February, in the Fischplatz.

Will you be so kind as to send the enclosed letter to my gracious and admired translator of the "Chopin"--Mme. la Comtesse Ottilia Wast? [A translation into Hungarian from the old edition of the book.]

Further, I beg that you will recommend Taborszky to publish before Easter my St. Francois de Paule, which our very dear friend Albert Apponyi has been good enough to adorn with his poetry,--and also "L'hymne de l'enfant a son reveil," which Taborszky must have received in November (with the German words by Cornelius and the addition of a harp part).

Schuberth has been seriously ill. I shall be after him to bring out your Geisterschiff [Phantom Ship] without any more delay.

A revoir in six weeks, and always

Very cordially yours,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, December 29th, 1874

On the occasion of the Wagner concert in Pest I should like my "Bells" to ring, and beg Abranyi to attune the Hungarian Klingklang [ding-dong] of them speedily and beautifully.

[Liszt's "Glockengelaute" (Bell-ringing) consisted in this--that he played the Beethoven E Concerto at the Wagner concert in Pest.

He allowed himself to be persuaded to do this, as people were afraid that, on account of the high prices, the concert would not be full.--The "Bells of Stra.s.sburg Cathedral" were not performed.]

162. To Carl Hoffbauer in Munich.

[From the copy of a draft of a letter by Dr. Minis.]

[Probably Pest, at the beginning of 1875.]

Very Dear Sir,

Your last letter exhibits so convincing a character of truth and n.o.ble-mindedness that I sincerely rejoice at the prospect of becoming personally and in spirit better acquainted with you. And first of all be a.s.sured of my special interest in your Opera "Comata." Whatever I may be able to do as regards a representation of it in a theater I shall not fail to do. In Munich we will read the score over together, and discuss further details.

Of your persistence in wishing to have the "Christus" performed I wrote to Schuberth yesterday, and shall in full confidence leave the whole matter to your considerate zeal. You will best know whether and how a successful performance can be made possible, and please therefore arrange matters altogether according as you think fit. I beg you merely to let me know the day you fix upon some 10 or 12 days previously, and address me to Pest (at Easter), if earlier to Weimar, and I will then come for the full rehearsal.

[The performance took place on the 12th April, 1875. As a result of this King Ludwig II ordered a separate performance in the Court theater, and this again was followed by a public one.]

Respectful greetings to the poetess of the "Comata," and believe me, with marked esteem, yours gratefully and sincerely,

F. Liszt

163. To Professor Julius Stern in Berlin

Dear Friend,

For years past and again lately I have been very much indebted to you. Our eminently learned and dear friend Weitzmann [Theorist and contrapuntist in Berlin (1808-1880)] told me of the careful rehearsals, and of the admirable manner in which you conducted the Faust Symphony. Owing to critical circ.u.mstances and negativings I have, as a rule, to dissuade people everywhere from giving performances of my scores. All the more pleasantly am I affected by the goodwill of the few friends who carefully and courageously march on in front.

Therefore, while offering you my sincerest thanks, I beg you to excuse my not being just now able to accept the tempting invitation to Berlin.

Yours most respectfully and sincerely,

F. Liszt

Rome, February 4th, 1875

(Next week I return to Pest, and at the beginning of April go to Weimar, where I should be delighted to welcome you again.)

164. To Count Albert Apponyi

[From a rough copy of a letter in the possession of Herr O. A.

Schulz, bookseller in Leipzig.]

February 18th, [1875?]

This morning the Politische Volksblatt [The Political People's- Paper] brings me your portrait, my honored and dear friend. The notice accompanying it pleases me only in so far as it predicts a great future for you, based on your very evident merits and great talents. People are agreed upon your great height ("Haupteslange")--all the better, for it corresponds to the height of your character, and I bet a hundred to one that you will never combat "the spirit of the times" ("Herr von Zeitgeist und Frau von offentliche Meinung," [Mr. Spirit of the Times and Mrs. Public Opinion.] as the honorable Count Gozzi ceremoniously said), except when you meet with stupidities and adventures on which this spirit of the times is astride.

A friendly invitation for tomorrow evening at the house of

Your very devoted and grateful

F. Liszt

165. To Johann Von Herbeck

Very Dear Friend,