A little subject to distractions in these matters, - and
accept, my dear sir, together with my best thanks, the assurance
of my affectionate regard.
F. Liszt
Weymar, January 21st, 1854
107. To Monsieur Marie Escudier, Music Publisher in Paris.
[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.]
My Dear Sir,
Mr. Franck [Cesar Aug. Franck, born at Liege in 1822, composer
and professor at the Paris Conservatoire, teacher of Faure,
Chabrie, and d'Indy, the chief representatives of the new French
school of music.] having written to me for a special introduction
to you, I have great pleasure in fulfilling his request by
writing these few lines to you. For many years past I have had a
favorable opinion of Mr. Franck's talent in composition, through
having heard his trios (very remarkable, as I think, and very
superior to other works of the same kind published latterly). -
His oratorio "Ruth" also contains beautiful things, and bears the
stamp of an elevated and well-sustained style. If the opera which
he wants to have performed at the Lyric theater answers to these
antecedents and to what I expect of Mr. Franck, the Lyric theater
could only congratulate itself on its choice, and the best chance
of success would be assured.
