200 To Frau Dr. Steche in Leipzig
Vienna, March 20th, 1858
How many excuses I owe you, my dear lady and kind friend, for all the trouble and disagreeables that the “Preludes” have occasioned you! I can really scarcely pardon myself for having written the piece!—When the Princess informed me of your kind intention I wrote to her that a performance of my things in Leipzig appeared to me untimely, and that I was resolved to let them fall into oblivion rather than to importune my friends with them. Hence the heterogeneousness of the letters and telegrams to you, dear madam, which I beg you kindly to excuse. Candidly, I still think it is better not to have the “Preludes” performed now in Leipzig;[As there had already been a performance of this on the 26th of February, 1857, this can only refer to a performance in the “Euterpe” Concerts.] but I thank you none the less warmly for the kind interest you take in my compositions—in spite of their bad name—and take this opportunity of repeating to you the expression of high esteem and friendly devotion with which I remain
F. Liszt