Zurich, November 21st, 1856
167. To Eduard Liszt
St. Gall, November 24th, 1856
. - . A really significant concert took place yesterday at St.
Gall. Wagner conducted the Eroica Symphony, and I conducted in
his honor two of my Symphonic Poems. The latter were excellently
given - and received. The St. Gall paper has several articles on
the subject, which I am sending you.
By Christmas I will send you the new copies of my Mass (which I
think I have considerably improved in the last revision,
especially by the concluding Fugue of the Gloria and a
heavenward-soaring climax of the subject.
[Here, Liszt illustrates with a vocal score excerpt at the point
where the singer sings: "et u-nam sanctam catho-li-camet a-po -
sto - - - - li-cam"]
Probably the work will be ready to appear by Easter. If you write
by return of post, you can send the ministerial answer to my
letter to Bach to me here. The contents, of which you have told
me, please me much, and I reckon with confidence that the
publishing of the score will fix the sense and meaning of my work
in public opinion. The work is truly "of pure musical water (not
in the sense of the ordinary diluted Church style, but like
diamond water) and living Catholic wine."
. - . Farewell, dearest Eduard, and remain true to me in heart and
spirit, as is also to you your
F. Liszt
168. To Alexander Ritter, Music Director in Stettin
Munich, December 4th, 1856
Dear Friend,
