235 To Dr. Franz Brendel
[March or April 1860]
Dear Friend,
Do not blame me if this time I follow Pohl’s example and keep you waiting for the promised article. I have been working at it pretty continuously during the past week, and the sketch of it is quite ready; but I am not quite satisfied with it, and about Berlioz and Wagner I must say the right thing in the right manner. [No article of the kind by Liszt is contained in the Neue Zeitschrift for the year in question; probably it was unfinished.] This duty requires me to spend more time on it, and unfortunately I have so much on hand this week that it is hardly possible for me to busy myself with polemics. Tomorrow is again a grand Court concert; Bronsart and Fraulein Stark arrived yesterday; Frau von Bulow comes today, and I expect Hans on Saturday. Besides this, there is still more important work for me, which will take up my time entirely till the end of this month.
Well, I will see to it that, if possible, Berlioz and Wagner do not remain forgotten!—
Let me first of all answer your questions.
Whether it would be desirable to hold the second Tonkunstler-Versammlung this year, I already left it to you, at our last meeting, to decide. In my opinion we might wait till next year without injury to the affair. [This was done.] As long as I myself have not made a secure and firm footing in Weymar, I cannot invite you to convene the meeting here. If you hold to the dates of the 17th, 18th, and 19th June, we are bound to Leipzig, where I can then tell you with certainty whether Weymar will suit for the next meeting.
It goes without saying that you, dear friend, must arrange about everything that I can undertake and do for the Tonkunstler-Versammlung. Only my personal help as conductor must be excepted. At our next consultation we shall easily come to an understanding as to the desirability of one conductor or several.
I would indicate and emphasize, as absolutely necessary, the performance of new works by Bulow, Draseke, Bronsart, Singer, Seifriz, etc. I think I understand and can manage the art of programme-making in a masterly manner. When once matters have got so far, I will fix with you the programme of the three performances.
I agree with the choice of the “Prometheus,” and at the religious performance, if the latter is not filled up with one single great work, I would suggest perhaps the “Beatitudes,” or the 13th Psalm (the former last about ten minutes, the latter twenty-five).
Will you therefore decide definitely where the Tonkunstler-Versammlung shall be held this year and the date of it, about which I have nothing further to say? We will then discuss and settle the rest together.
You will find my remarks as to the statute scheme on the last page of it.
With hearty greetings, your
F. Liszt
P.S.
A. The revising of the “Leonore” shall be attended to immediately.
B. I shall welcome Fraulein Brauer most cordially.
C. I recommend to you again the manuscripts of Pasque and Councillor Muller. Have you replied to Muller?
Herewith is a letter from Weitzmann (14th June, 1859), in which you will find much worthy of consideration and use.
Important! N.B.—When you convene the Tonkunstler-Versammlung, add to it at once the following: “For the foundation of the German Universal Musical Society.” This is the principal aim, toward the accomplishment of which we have to work.
[Liszt was, as Princess Wittgenstein distinctly told the editor, the actual founder of the “German Universal Musical Society.” He conceived the idea and plan of it, and it was only at his wish that Brendel gave his name to it, and undertook to be president, etc.]
236. To Louis Kohler.
My dear, excellent friend,
You have given me a rare pleasure. Your articles on my “Gesammelte Lieder” are a reproduction, replete with spirit and mind, of what I, alas! must feel and bear much more than I can venture to write down! Reviews such as these are not matters of every-day reviewers—nor must one shame you with such a title.
Accept my warmest thanks for them, and allow me to present to you herewith a couple of little singable things in manuscript. They were jotted down after reading your articles, and, if I mistake not, they spring from the melody of speech. In any case, dear friend, you have a special right to them—as well as to the sincere esteem and faithful attachment with which I remain your
F. Liszt
Weymar, July 5th, 1860
Towards the end of October the two Symphonic Poems, Nos. 10 and 11, which have still to be published—“Hamlet” and the “Hunnenschlacht” [The Battle of the Huns]—will appear at Hartel’s; and when these are out all the twelve monsters will have appeared. Shortly afterwards will follow Faust, the choruses to Prometheus, a couple of Psalms, and a new number of songs. I will send you the whole lot. But if possible arrange so that we may soon meet again—at the latest at the next Tonkunstler-Versammlung next year, at which we cannot possibly do without you.