Weymar, June 8th, 1852.
84. To Robert Schumann
[Autograph in the Royal Library in Berlin.]
My very dear Friend,
I regret extremely that you could not come to the second
performance [This might perhaps also be read "first
performance."] of your "Manfred," and I believe that you would
not have been dissatisfied with the musical preparation and
performance of that work (which I count among your greatest
successes). The whole impression was a thoroughly noble, deep,
and elevating one, in accordance with my expectations. The part
of Manfred was taken by Herr Potsch, who rendered it in a manly
and intelligent manner. With regard to the mise-en-scene
something might be said; yet it would be unfair not to speak in
praise of the merits of the manager, Herr Genast. It seems to me
therefore that it would be nice of you to write a friendly line
of thanks to Herr Genast, and commission him to compliment Herr
Potsch (Manfred) and the rest of the actors from you.
One only remark I will permit myself: the introduction music to
the Ahriman chorus (D minor) is too short. Some sixty to a
hundred bars of symphony, such as you understand how to write,
would have a decidedly good effect there. Think the matter over,
and then go fresh to your desk. Ahriman can stand some polyphonic
phrases, and this is an occasion where one may rant and rage away
quite comfortably.
Shall I send you your manuscript score back, or will you make me
a lovely present of it? I am by no means an autograph-collector,
but the score, if you don't require it any longer, would give me
pleasure.
A thousand friendly greetings to Clara, and beg your wife to let
me soon hear something of you.
In truest esteem and friendship,
Yours ever,
F. Liszt
Weymar, June 26th, 1852
85. To Peter Cornelius
[The exquisite poet-composer of the operas "The Barber of
Baghdad," "The Cid," and "Gunlod," which have at last attained
due recognition (1824-74).]
Weymar, September 4th, 1852
It has been a great pleasure to me, my dear Mr. Cornelius, to
make the acquaintance of your brother, and I only regret that he
passed several days here without letting me know of his stay.
Your letter, which reached me through him, has given me a real
pleasure, for which I thank you very affectionately. Short though
our acquaintance has been, I am pleased to think that it has been
long enough to establish between us a tie which years will
strengthen without changing the natural and reciprocal charm. I
congratulate you very sincerely in having put the fine season to
so good a use by finishing the church compositions you had
planned. That is an admirable field for you, and I strongly
advise you not to give in till you have explored it with love and
valor for several years. I think that, both by the elevation and
the depth of your ideas, the tenderness of your feelings, and
your deep studies, you are eminently fitted to excel in the
religious style, and to accomplish its transformation so far as
is nowadays required by our intelligence being more awake and our
hearts more astir than at former periods. You have only to
assimilate Palestrina and Bach - then let your heart speak, and
you will be able to say with the prophet, "I speak, for I
believe; and I know that our God liveth eternally."
We spoke with your brother about your vocation for composing
religious - Catholic music. He enters thoroughly into this idea,
and will give you help to realize it under outer conditions
favorable to you. Munster, Cologne, and Breslau appeared to us to
be the three places for the present where you would find the
least obstacles in the way of establishing your reputation and
making a position. But before you go to the Rhine I hope you will
do me the pleasure of coming to see me here. The room adjoining
that which Mr. de Bulow occupies is entirely at your service, and
it will be a pleasure to me if you will settle yourself there
without any ceremony, and will come and dine regularly with us
like an inhabitant of the Altenburg. The theatrical season
recommences on Sunday next, September 12th, with Verdi's
"Ernani." In the early days of October (at the latest)
"Lohengrin" will be given again; and on the 12th of November I
expect a visit from Berlioz, who will spend a week at Weymar.
Then we shall have "Cellini," the Symphony of Romeo and Juliet,
and some pieces from the Faust Symphony.
Kindest regards from yours ever,
F. Liszt
86. To Clara Schumann
Weymar, September 11th, 1852.
It is not without regret that I obey your wish, Madame, in
returning to you the autograph score of "Manfred," for I confess
that I had flattered myself a little in petto that Robert would
leave it with me in virtue of possession in a friendly manner.
Our theater possesses an exact copy, which will serve us for
subsequent performances of "Manfred;" I was tempted to send you
this copy, which, for revision of proofs, would be sufficient,
but I know not what scruple of honor kept me from doing so.
Perhaps you will find that it is possible generously to encourage
my slightly wavering virtue, and in that case you will have no
trouble in guessing what would be to me a precious reward...
How is Robert's health? Have the sea baths done him good? I hope
he will soon be restored all right to his home circle - and to his
composing desk. -
It would have been very pleasant to me to renew our visit of last
year to you at Dusseldorf, and I was indeed touched by the
gracious remembrance of it which your letter gives me; but, alas!
an unfortunate accident which has happened to my mother, by which
she nearly broke her leg in coming downstairs, has obliged her to
keep her bed for more than nine weeks, and even now she can only
walk with the help of crutches, and it will be some months before
she is all right again.
