If it does not make a bother let it be
tried in Leipzig when you have an opportunity.
N.B. - If you think the designation on the title-page "Written and
composed for the New Weymar Verein" will give offence, it can be
left out, and the title can run simply, "Vereins Lied," by
Hoffmann von Fallersleben, composed for male chorus by F. L. In
any case I shall be glad if Kahnt can bring the little thing out
soon, and will give some sort of illustrated title-page,
expressive of the sense of the poem.
The remarks which I have added in pencil are to be engraved with
it. I hope the printer will be able to read my bad writing - if
not will you be so kind as to make it clear to him?
I am writing to Vienna today. The "Prometheus" parts and score
will be sent to you immediately.
I expect Bronsart here at the end of this month.. - .
Your statute-sketch is in all essential points as judicious as it
is practical. It offers a sure basis of operations for the next
Tonkunstler-Versammlung, where assuredly the great majority of
the members will agree with your proposals. Then the point will
be to work on vigorously towards the accomplishment, and to put
aside the much that is "rotten in the State of Denmark."
Before the Euterpe concerts begin I shall in any case see you.
Next Sunday I go to Sondershausen, where Berlioz' "Harold," a new
Oboe Concerto by Stein, Schumann's "Genoveva" Overture, the
Introduction to "Tristan and Isolde," and my "Mazeppa" will be
given. The latter piece is popular to wit...in Sondershausen! -
Very sonderhauslich, [A play on the words Sondershausen and
sonderbar = strange] isn't it?
Hearty greetings to your wife from your
F. Liszt
P.S. - The ninth song by Cornelius is still wanting. [The song
"Wieder mocht' ich Dir begegnen" ("Once again I fain would meet
thee")] But in the meantime the printing can be going on. The
nine numbers form the seventh part of the "Gesammelte Lieder." If
Kahnt wishes, each song can be published separately, especially
the Zigeuner; Nonnenwerth, etc.
Draseke has been with me a couple of days, and is coming shortly
to you. His works captivate me in a special degree, and
personally I am very fond of him, which indeed I also was
formerly, but this time still more. Capacity and character are
there in abundance.
242. To Eduard Liszt
Weymar, September 20th, 1860
The true and loving character of your whole being, as well as of
your letter, dearest Eduard, touches me always with joy, and
fortifies me; but with your letter of today is mingled also
somewhat of sadness. It is conceivable that the ebb of the
Milanese and Hungarian Civil Service employes, with its effect on
Vienna, has acted as a check upon your very justifiable and well-
founded prospects of promotion. This is all the more to be
regretted as, years ago, I was assured many times from a
trustworthy official source that your suitability and deserts
were far above the official position that you hold. Without
wanting to preach to you unseasonably, let me assure you of my
sincere sympathy in the disappointments you have so undeservedly
to bear, and remind you also how things generally go badly in
this world with the better and best sort of men. One must not let
oneself be embittered by bitter experiences, and one must bear
all sorts of mortifications without mortification.
I will also repeat for your amusement a droll saying of General
Wrangel's: "A man should never vex himself; - if there must be
vexation anywhere, let him rather vex somebody else!" - The best
way, in case of extreme necessity to vex others, is to bear
imperturbably many an injury and unpleasantness - without
prejudice to any defense or help that may offer, when opportunity
occurs - for we were not born to sleep our lives away! -
Under the given circumstances one cannot do otherwise than agree
with your resolution to let your son go into the Military Academy
when he is eleven years old. May this young Franz bring you all
the happiness that your older Franziskus wishes you from his
innermost heart. - [He did not become a soldier, but the renowned
Professor of Law now teaching at the University of Halle.]
In the expectation of this we will comfort ourselves by
swallowing Pfefferoni and Paprika together with Gumpoldskirchner.
Have I ever told you how excellent the latter, which you had
chosen just right, tasted?
It is almost impossible to further B.'s affairs. You think it
would be right to let his drama be examined by a "competent
authority." Undoubtedly; but that will not help him, so long as
this competent authority, who here could be none other than
Dingelstedt, is not able to help him any further. As far as I
know our Intendant he will NOT condescend to perform King
Alphonso; but none the less I will speak to Dingelstedt about it,
and will prevail on him first of all to write a few lines to B.,
as the rules of courtesy demand. I scarcely hope to effect more
than this, glad as I should be if it happened so, for you know
that I am glad to show myself obliging. It is doubtful also
whether B. will have much better chances with other Intendants -
for, as it seems, the good man has decidedly bad luck. Please
make my excuses to him if I do not answer his letter other than
by a silent condolence (in German Beleidsbezeugung!). - It has
become horribly difficult nowadays to make a footing on the
boards - "which signify the world" - especially for writers of
classic tragic-plays, whose lot is far more a tragic than a
playing one!
