You must look closely into this wonderful
Opus 1.
In conclusion one more request, dear friend. Do me the kindness
to be perfectly free and open and regardless of consequences in
the discussion of my works. Do not imagine that the slightest
vanity comes over me or impels me. I have long ago done with all
that sort of thing. So long as you allow that I possess the
necessary musical equipments to create freely in Art, as I gather
from your letter that you do, I can but be grateful to you for
all else, even were it severe blame. I have often expressed my
opinion to my friends that, even if all my compositions failed to
succeed (which I neither affirm nor deny), they would not on that
account be quite without their use, owing to the stir and impetus
which they would give to the further development of Art. This
consciousness so completely satisfies me that I can consistently
persevere and go on composing.
With all respect and attachment I remain,
Yours most sincerely,
F. Liszt
Weymar, September 3rd, 1859
If the Koenigsberg Academy does not take alarm at my name (as has
indeed been the case in other places, owing to the foolish
prattle of the critics), they might try the "Prometheus" choruses
there by-and-by. They are to be given almost directly (at the end
of October) at Zwickau, and probably later on in Leipzig, where I
shall then also have them published.
In the matters of the prize-subject we will wait and see what
comes. You very justly remark that it hinges now upon enharmony.
It is a pity that you do not bring something. Perhaps you will
still find time to do so.
219. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Dear Friend,
I beg you to send me by return of post a copy of the intricate
biography ("Liszt's Life and Work" - if I am not mistaken) by
Gustav Schilling. Siegel and Stoll in Leipzig have taken the work
from the Stuttgart publisher, and there will surely be some way
of getting a copy in Leipzig. Ask Kahnt to be so good as to see
after one and to send it me immediately by post, for I require
the work in connection with a special and pressing question which
I can best answer by a quotation from Schilling's book.
With friendliest greetings, your
F. Liszt
Weymar, September 8th, 1859
Why does not Schuberth send me my dedicatory copy of Draeseke's
Ballade "Koenig Helge"?
220. To Johann von Herbeck
Dear Friend,
Warmest thanks for your persevering and well-wishing sympathy. It
is a great pleasure to me that you are bringing about the
performance of the Mass for men's voices on the 23rd October, and
I hope that, as you have once "made your way through it," we
shall also not succeed ill.
