I do not know why the "Machle" [forces] do not seem to me
quite right here.
Finally, + D, I think it would be advisable ruthlessly to strike
out the following short sentence: "Indeed it would not be saying
too much if it were to be asserted that in many circles it takes
the place of religion," - apart from the consideration of whether
it is accurate or not, because for the most part the men of the
State are sure to take offence at it. "How," they will say, "you
wish us to support a movement that aims at nothing less than the
doing away with religion?" - and, behold, there is a new bugbear
ready, and the most healthy and just endeavors are checked for
many a year! -
I am in perfect agreement with all the rest, with the exception
of the parenthesis marked * - "without thereby, as has often been
the case hitherto, falling into the unpractical mistake of
conceding to the public things which they do not want, and
diminishing the revenues." For, by the way, let me also say
parenthetically that, if I had not done this with most resolute
intention for many years, Wagner could not truly have said in his
letter to Villot (page 40 of the French edition of his
translation of the four Operas): "Tout a coup mes relations avec
le public prirent un autre tour, sur lequel je n'avais pas compte
le moins du monde: mes operas se repandaient." ["All at once my
relations with the public took a fresh turn, on which I had not
calculated the least bit in the world: my operas were becoming
known."
Both on this account and for other reasons I think this
parenthesis dangerous, and can in no wise subscribe to it!
With friendliest greetings, your sincere
F. Liszt
December 19th, 1860
I have written a long letter to Kahnt today. In case he cannot
read my writing, will you be so good as to help him with it?
250. To Felix Draseke
You have again encouraged and rejoiced me, my excellent friend,
by your affectionate comprehension of my meaning and endeavors in
the "Dante" Symphony.
Once more my heartfelt thanks for it. Later on, when "Hamlet" and
the "Hunnenschlacht" are published, please do not refuse me the
special satisfaction of publishing the whole of your articles on
the Symphonic Poems in the form of a pamphlet. We will speak
further of this by word of mouth, and possibly a few musical
examples could be added to the earlier ones.
How far have you got with the "Loreley"? - Only take hold of the
witch with tender force. - Geibel has lately brought out his
opera-text to the "Loreley," and several composers are already
setting to work on it (or under it). In the present state of
things there is not much to be expected from effusions and feeble
attempts of that kind. On the other hand I am expecting something
great, beautiful, and magical from the Symphonic form into which
you will shape this story - a story which just as easily becomes
dry and tedious as, on the other hand, it can be melting. Take
care that we bring your work to a hearing at the next
Tonkunstler-Versammlung (in July-August) here.
O. Singer's "Entschwandenes Ideal" ["Vanished Ideal"] is full of
music; noble in conception and powerfully worked out. I shall
write to him shortly about it, and send him my seventh book of
songs, as you told me that he rather liked the earlier ones. -
An excellent little work by our friend Weitzmann lies before us
again: "The New Science of Harmony at Variance with the Old." The
"Album Leaves for the Emancipation of Fifths" as a supplement are
stirring; and the "Anthology of Classical Following Fifths," with
quotations from Hiller and Hauptmann,. is especially instructive.
In Harmony, as in other things, it is no longer a question of
reforming what has been laid aside, but rather of the fulfilling
of the law. - - -
On any day, my dear friend, you will be heartily welcome to
Yours very gratefully,
F. Liszt
December 30th, 1860
Towards the middle of January I am going to Paris or a couple of
weeks to see my mother (who is still constantly ill).
251. To Dr. Franz Brendel.
[Beginning of January, 1861]
Dear Friend,
A thousand thanks for your letter, and still more excuses that I
have delayed so long with my answer. On New Year's Day we had a
grand Court-concert - on the top of which there was a banquet at
the Erbprinz, which lasted till four o'clock in the morning; on
the other days perpetual dinners and suppers, at which I was also
obliged to be present. Besides all this, the final revision of my
second concerto (and a couple of smaller piano pieces) occupied
me much. Schott had undertaken the publication of them, and I did
not wish to annoy him by letting the somewhat numerous
alterations which had to be made in them wait to be corrected
until the proofs were printed, etc., etc.
From all the transitions and connection of the movements (which I
am now most carefully working out in the Concerto), I pass at
once without transition to the answering of your questions.
1. I think Bronsart's engagement for next year at four hundred
thalers is advisable.
2. If Weissheimer has really made himself impossible, Damrosch
should be the next one to be thought of, as a colleague of
Bronsart. There is no hurry about this affair, and we will talk
over it again viva voce.
3. The remaining four hundred thalers for X. I will send you at
the end of this month. If you should require them sooner write me
a couple of lines.
