Letters of Franz Liszt Volume I Part 9

[Printed in L. Ramann's "Franz Liszt," vol. ii., I.]

Much Esteemed and Learned Gentlemen,

It is in vain for me to attempt to express to you the deep and heartfelt emotion you have aroused in me by your rare mark of honor. The dignity of Doctor, granted by a Faculty in which, as in yours, men of European celebrity a.s.semble, makes me happy, and would make me proud, were I not also convinced of the sense in which it is granted to me.

I repeat that, with the honorable name of Teacher of Music (and I refer to music in its grand, complete, and ancient signification), by which you, esteemed gentlemen, dignify me, I am well aware that I have undertaken the duty of unceasing learning and untiring labour.

In the constant fulfillment of this duty-to maintain the dignity of Doctor in a right and worthy manner, by propagating in word and deed the little portion of knowledge and technical skill which I can call my own, as a form of, and a means to, the True ["The beautiful is the glory of the true, Art is the radiancy of thought." (Author's note.)] and the Divine--

In the constant fulfillment of this duty, and in any results which are granted to me, the remembrance of your good wishes, and of the touching manner in which a distinguished member of your Faculty [Professors Rosenkranz and Jacobi invested Liszt with the Doctor's Diploma.] has informed me of them, will be a living support to me.

Accept, gentlemen, the expression of my highest esteem and respect.

F. Liszt

Mittau, March 18th, 1842

35. To Court-Marshal Freiherr von Spiegel at Weimar

[Given by L. Ramann, "Franz Liszt," vol. ii., 1.]

Monsieur le Baron,

It is very difficult to reply to so gracefully flattering a letter as your Excellency has been good enough to write to me.

I must nevertheless say that I wish with all my heart and in all ways that I could answer it. I shall reach Weimar, bag and baggage, towards the middle of October, and if I succeed in communicating to others a little of the satisfaction I cannot fail to find there, thanks to the gracious kindness of their Highnesses and the friendly readiness of your Excellency, I shall be only too glad.

Meanwhile I beg to remain, Monsieur le Baron, with respectful compliments,

Yours obediently,

Cologne; September 12th, 1862.F. Liszt

36. To Carl Filitsch.

[Autograph in the possession of Count Albert Amadei in Vienna.-- Addressed to the talented young pianist, born at Hermannstadt in the Siebenburgen in 1830, died at Venice 1845, studied with Chopin and Liszt in Paris in 1842-43, and created a sensation with his concerts both there and in London, Vienna, and Italy.

According to Lenz, Liszt said of him, "When the youngster goes travelling I shall shut up shop!"]

Compiegne, Wednesday Morning [1842 or 1843].

Dearly beloved conjurer,

How sorry I am to disappoint [Literally. "to make a false skip,"

a play-of-words with the next sentence.] you of our usual lesson tomorrow! Your "false skips" would be a great deal pleasanter to me! but, unless we could manage to put you where we could hear you from the towers of Notre Dame to the Cathedral of Cologne, there is a material impossibility in continuing our sort of lessons, considering that by tomorrow evening I shall already be at Cologne.

If I return, or when I return--I really don't know. Whatever happens, keep a little corner of remembrance of me, and believe me ever yours affectionately,

F. Liszt

Affectionate remembrances to your brother Joseph. Farewell again.

I embrace you affectionately.

37. To Franz von Schober in Paris

Berlin, March 4th, 1844

You are a dear, faithful friend, and I thank you with all my heart for your kind letter. G.o.d reward you for your love to such a jaded, worn-out creature as I am! I can only a.s.sure you that I feel it deeply and gratefully, and that your words soothe many spasmodic annoyances.

At the end of this month we shall certainly see each other in Paris. Villers [Alexander von Villers, a friend of Liszt's, attache of the Saxon Emba.s.sy in Vienna.] is coming also. In case Seydlitz is still there make my excuses to him, and tell him that, owing to my delay at Dresden, I only got his letter yesterday. I will answer him immediately, and will address to Lefebre, as he tells me to do. I have had several conferences with the H[ereditary] G[rand] D[uke] and Eckermann. [The editor of Goethe's "Gesprachen"] Our business seems to me to stand on a firm footing. Next autumn the knots will be ready to tie. [Refers probably to Schober's subsequent appointment at Weimar.]

My room is too full. I have got a tremendous fit of Byron on. Be indulgent and kind as ever!

Remember me to the Sabatiers, and stick to me! Yours most affectionately,

F. Liszt

38. To Franz Kroll

[Pupil and friend of Liszt's (1820-1877); since 1849 settled in Berlin as a pianoforte teacher; rendered great service by his edition of Bach's "Das wohltemperirte Clavier."]

My dear good Kroll,

What a first-rate man you are to me, and what pleasure your letter has given me! Probably you already know that I also have been figuring as an invalid these last five weeks.--G.o.d be thanked and praised that I am already pretty fairly on my legs again, without rheumatism in the joints or gout! In a few days I shall begin my provincial tour (Lyons, Ma.r.s.eilles, Toulouse, Bordeaux), and then towards the end of August by steamer to Stockholm and Copenhagen. Weymar, our good, dear Weymar, will again be our Christmas Day! Oh what beautiful apples and trifles we will hang on our Christmas tree! and what talks and compositions, and projects and plans! Only don't you disappoint me, and mind you come fresh and well. Leave the bad looks to me, and see that you fill out your cheeks properly. This winter we must be industrious, and struggle through much work.

Your Mazurkas are most excellent and talented. You have put a great deal into them--and, if you will allow me to speak quite freely--perhaps too much into them, for much of it halts.

Although the dedication to me is both pleasing and gratifying, I cannot help thinking that it would be to your interest not to publish anything before next spring. Take advantage of being as yet unknown, and give to the public from the beginning a proper opinion of your talent by a collective publication. Write a couple of pleasing, brilliant Studies--perhaps also a Notturno (or something of that sort), and an effective Fantasia on some conspicuous theme. Then let Schlesinger, Hartel, or Mechetti (to whom I will most gladly speak about your works beforehand) publish the six pieces--your Concerto and the C major Study, together with the later pieces--all together, so that publisher, critic, artist, and public all have to do with them at the same time. Instead of dis.h.i.+ng up one little sweetmeat for the people, give them a proper dinner. I am very sorry I did not follow this plan myself; for, after much experience, I consider it far the best, especially for pianoforte works. In Weymar we will talk more fully and definitely about this. Conradi [Musician and friend in Berlin] is also to come. I don't require the Huguenot Fantasia at present. He will have time enough for it in Weymar.

En attendant, [A German letter, so Liszt's own French expression is kept] Schlesinger will give him a modest payment for the work he has begun. Please kindly see about the enclosed letters for Freund as soon as possible.

With all good wishes, I am, dear Kroll,

Yours most sincerely,

F. Liszt

Port Marly, June 11th, 1844

39. To Freund