Some
things, indeed most things, are still going very badly - upon
which we cannot and must not make ourselves any illusions; - but
if we are proof against these things we shall come out of them.
Before and after Lowenberg (in the middle of February) I shall
come and see you in Leipzig.
Meanwhile hearty greetings and thanks from your
F. L.
January 20th, 1861
You shall have the small sum for X. in the course of the week.
253. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Dear friend.
By yesterday's post I sent you -
A. The score of the second act of the "Flying Dutchman" - and two
orchestral parts of the duet (these latter in order that the
copyist, in writing it out, may guide himself by these, and may
not add the terzet-ending, as it stands in the score - Weissheimer
will give Thumler the exact speed). Beg Thumler to send me the
score back soon, as it may possibly be wanted at Easter in the
theater.
B. The last part (Mephistopheles and final chorus) of the "Faust"
Symphony in score - and the complete arrangement of this same
Symphony for two pianofortes.
Will you be so good as to give these manuscripts to Schuberth? I
hope he will keep his promise and not delay the publication of
the work. At the end of this week I will send Schuberth the score
and the four-hand piano arrangement of the two Faust-episodes
("Der nachtliche Zug" "The Nocturnal Procession") - and the
"Mephisto-Waltz"). I should be glad if these two things could
come out in the course of this year.
C. For Kahnt, the small score of the chorus "Die Seligkeiten"
["The Beatitudes"], which I also hope may soon be published. It
has been given here a couple of times in the Schloss orchestra
and the parish church, and, as I have been told many times, has
been spoken of in an exceptionally favorable manner. I have
written few things that have so welled up from my innermost soul.
I think I shall be ready with the revision of the "Prometheus"
score by next Saturday. I have already made two arrangements (for
two and four hands, not two pianofortes) of the Reapers' Chorus,
which I give Kahnt gratis. He shall get the whole packet early
next Monday at the latest. Weissheimer tells me that the edition
of the score shall be ready by the middle of July. If Kahnt
prefers to let the Prometheus be copied, I have nothing to say
against it; I only beg that in this case he will employ a very
clever and exact copyist-and, as I have already told him, that he
will preserve the size of the other Symphonic Poems.
N.B. - The division and distribution of the score - so that there
may be as few unnecessary rests as possible, and that, where it
can be done (as, for instance, at the beginning of the Tritons'
Chorus, the Reapers' Chorus, etc), two sets of staves should be
printed on one page - I beg that this may be entrusted to Herr
Dorffel. I also do not wish the work to look like a conductor's
score on the outside! - and, before it is given into the hands of
the engraver or copyist, it is necessary that the parts where two
sets of staves come on to one page should be clearly indicated.
My copyist here has made a very careless scrawl of the
"Prometheus" score, and I have therefore taken other work out of
his hands, and have given him a good scolding. But there is no
time to have a new score written, and therefore Dorffel must
largely help out with the matter.
N.B. - The piano arrangement must be put below the score, as it is
in the manuscript.
Kahnt can publish the arrangement of the Reapers' Chorus sooner
or later, as he likes. The date of the Tonkunstler-Versammlung
can remain fixed for the 15th August. I think it would be
advisable for you to come soon to Weymar (perhaps at Easter), and
to come to a direct understanding with Dingelstedt, M[usic]
D[irector] Montag, and some others among those who are
principally concerned in the matter.
I would propose to you Dr. Gille, in Jena, as a lawyer, and a
zealous co-operator in this affair. He is very ready to help, and
reliable. -
Are you really thinking of still giving the "Prometheus" at the
Tonkunstler-Versammlung? It certainly would not be incompatible
with the "Faust" Symphony (which I wish for in any case) - but I
fear that it will bring in its train too much vexation and
annoyance.
We will speak further about this.
Weissheimer will tell you some things with regard to the
programmes.
Riedel ought to conduct Beethoven's Mass.
With heartfelt greetings, your
F.L.
Weymar March 4th, 1861
P.S. - Advise Schuberth once more to bring out the book of songs
by Lassen immediately - as he promised me.
254. To Peter Cornelius in Vienna
Your letters, dearest friend, are ever a joy to my heart, as also
this time on the 2nd April [Liszt's name-day]. Although on that
day I felt the absence of the Princess the most keenly, and the
Altenburg was for me equally perturbed, yet the loving attachment
of a few friends touched and filled me with comfort. Remain ever
to me, as I remain to you, faithful and steadfast, trusting in
God! -
Unfortunately I have been able to do but very little work this
winter. Revisions and proof-correcting took up almost my whole
time. The two last Symphonic Poems, "Hamlet" and the
"Hunnenschlacht," will come out directly. I will send them to
you, together with a dozen Quartets for men's voices which Kahnt
is publishing.
