175. To Kornel von Abranyi

Dear Friend,

A thousand thanks for your letter with its weighty contents.

[Abranyi had informed Liszt that the Hungarian Landes-Musik- Akademie--which had been called into existence by Trefort, the Minister of Education--had already been organised and was shortly to be opened, and that Liszt was invited to the inauguration ceremony.] All things considered, it does not appear to me advisable to hurry my return. As I did this year, I mean next year also to reach Pest towards the middle of February--in time for Lent and the concert season. By that time the work at the Musik-Akademie ought to have fairly established itself.

I gladly undertake to conduct a pianoforte-cla.s.s for virtuosi and teachers,--first of all from the 1st March to Easter 1876. And should the undertaking give indications of proving a success, I would be willing to devote several months a year to this species of instruction in the Musik-Akademie of Budapest.

I look forward to being on the best and most cordial terms with Erkel. [Franz Erkel (born 1810), a celebrated Hungarian composer, at that time Director of the Musik-Akademie and Capellmeister at the National Theater in Pest. Died 15th June, 1893] Also with Volkmann and the other professors.

As regards the very worthy Secretary, I rejoice to labor with him as next-door neighbor (on the Fischplatz, where a.s.suredly we shall not dry up "like fish out of water"), and remain always

His grateful and truly attached friend,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, October 14th, 1875.

My friendly greetings, please, to Engessers, Zimay, Siposz, [All were Hungarian musicians] and to our dear composer of the "Liszt- Cantata," Gobbi.

176. To Walter Bache

Highly Esteemed and Dear Friend,

Hearty thanks for your kindly remembrance of the 22nd October.

With regard to the "Elizabeth" performance (at your "Twelfth Annual Concert" on the 24th February) I am somewhat anxious on account of the great exertions and expense which the performance will entail upon you. Still I will not make any further objection to your characteristically firm incorrigibleness in your steadfast wish and endeavor to do the utmost possible for the good of your old friend, now 64 years of age.

To Frau Blume (whom I often called upon in Rome) please give my friendliest remembrances. If the part of Elizabeth does not displease her she is certain to give an excellent interpretation of it.

I am most glad to grant friend Banz the permission he desires, and am grateful to him for his kindly sentiments.

Till the middle of February I shall stay here--and then go direct to Budapest--and remain your faithfully attached

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, October 26th, 1875.

In case you receive direct news of Von Bulow, please let me know.

177. To Eduard von Liszt

Most Dear Friend,

Your letters are as full of heart as they are of mind. They both comfort and exalt me. My prayers always include you. May the "Supreme Spirit" strengthen us!

For me to appear at the opening of the Musik-Akademie in Pest on November 7th, is, I think, neither necessary nor desirable. It will be better that the undertaking (the official part of which I did not call into existence!) should be more fully started before I take any part in it. Hence till the middle of February I remain at the Villa d'Este (quietly finishing a few compositions) and then return direct to Pest.

Herbeck is said to have promised to conduct a concert there. I trust we may meet in friendship on the "Fischplatz" during Lent.

How could he manage to have the Gran Ma.s.s performed in the Burgkapelle? The dimensions of the work require rather a goodly amount of s.p.a.ce for chorus and orchestra...Next summer it is proposed to give a grand concert-performance of the Gran Ma.s.s in Dusseldorf (where they have a splendid hall, admirably adapted for musical festivals). I shall look for your report of the Vienna performance.

As regards the "Prometheus," I beg you to fix with Her-beck that in Vienna the new improved edition, published by Kahnt (Leipzig), shall be used, and get him to procure it from Kahnt: pianoforte score, full score, and voice parts. If Herbeck should entertain any doubt about the new edition on account of the expense, I shall be quite ready to settle the small "difference" with a few gulden, which you will advance me for the purpose. [Eduard von Liszt managed Liszt's money affairs for him.]

I am very anxious that this "Prometheus"--who is ready to "unchain" himself next summer in Dusseldorf and at the Musical Festival at Altenburg--should not again be a failure in Vienna, after his late want of success there.--

Give Kulke my best thanks for his excellent essay with its kindly sentiments (in the Vaterland of September 17th); I am specially pleased with the close: "In the same way as Sebastian Bach could not conceive a musical thought in any other way than from a contrapuntal point of view, Liszt cannot conceive a theme in any other way than from a thematic point of view," etc.

Heartiest greetings to all your circle: Marie will always prove herself n.o.ble and firm.

Your faithfully attached

F.L.

(Villa d'Este) October 31st, 1875

178. To Madame Jessie Laussot

Very Dear and Kind Friend,

Although I scarcely know how sufficiently to express my grat.i.tude to you for all the proofs of friendship you have constantly shown me during twenty years, I am quite convinced that no misunderstanding would ever be possible between us. You know my good intentions from the outset, and in case of necessity you divine them with the heart's most penetrating and delicate intelligence.

I add to my thanks for your last letter a request which you will certainly grant, by a.s.suring our very honored friend Hillebrand of my sincere devotedness. In addition, a.s.sure him also that my zeal in serving my gracious master, the Grand Duke of Saxony, will never be used to the detriment of any one, and that I especially take into consideration the proprieties appropriate to the merits and position of individualities that I esteem and love.

So then we will discuss "academicamente," at your house in Florence (after my return from Hungary, towards the middle of February), the subject of Hillebrand's spending some months each year at Weimar.

This could be brought about under reciprocally pleasant conditions; I confess that I take a rather egotistical interest in it...but without failing in the duties of friendship.

In a week's time, Mdlle. Adelheid de Schorn accompanies her aunt- -"the Lady Abbess von Stein"-- back to Germany. She will bring you two or three books of music from me.

Sgambati has finished a second, very remarkable Quintet (for Piano and Strings), which will soon be heard in Rome.

Zarembski (whom I introduced to you) works valiantly, and deserves to be reckoned as an unusually excellent pianist of the first rank.

A revoir in February, and yours very devotedly,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, November 17th, 1875

If you should see the Jaells before their concerts in Rome, give them my most affectionate remembrances.