- [Liszt subsequently formed out of Draseke's
song the melodrama of the same name.]
I hope it may be possible for me to come to Lucerne at the end of
August. But send some tidings of yourself before then to
Your sincere and faithful
F. Liszt
[Weimar,] July 19th, 1859
216. To Peter Cornelius in Vienna
Dearest Friend,
You are quite right in setting store upon the choice and putting
together of the three Sonatas. The idea is an excellent one, and
you may rest assured of my readiness to help in the realization
of your intention as well as of my silence until it is quite a
settled thing. If Bronsart could decide on going to Vienna, his
cooperation in that matter would certainly be very desirable.
Write about it to him at Dantzig, where he is now staying with
his father (Commandant-General of Dantzig). Tausig, who is
spending some weeks at Bad Grafenberg (with Her Highness the
Princess von Hatzfeld), would also adapt the thing well, and
would probably be able to meet your views better than you seem to
imagine. As regards Dietrich, I almost fear that he does not
possess sufficient brilliancy for Vienna - but this might, under
certain circumstances, be an advantage. He plays Op. 106 and the
Schumann Sonata capitally - as also the "Invitation to hissing and
stamping," as Gumprecht designates that work of ill odor - my
Sonata. Dietrich is always to be found in the house of Prince
Thurn and Taxis at Ratisbon. He will assuredly enter into your
project with pleasure and enthusiasm, and the small distance from
Ratisbon makes it not too difficult for him. You would only have
to arrange it so that the lectures come quickly one after the
other.
Where Sasch Winterberger is hiding I have not heard. Presupposing
many things, he might equally serve your purpose.
In order to save you time and trouble, I will send you by the
next opportunity your analysis of my Sonata, which you left
behind you at the Altenburg.
Draseke is coming very shortly through Weymar from Lucerne. I
will tell him your wish in confidence. It is very possible that
he would like to go to Vienna for a time. I have not the
slightest doubt as to the success of your lectures, in
conjunction with the musical performance of the works. - I would
merely advise you to put into your programme works which are
universally known - as, for instance, several Bach Fugues (from
"Das wohltemperierte Clavier"), the Ninth Symphony, the grand
Masses of Beethoven and Bach, which you have so closely studied,
etc. [The proposed lectures did not come off.]
Well, all this will come about by degrees. First of all a
beginning must be made, and this will be quite a brilliant one
with the three Sonatas.
