217. To Dr Franz Brendel
[In this letter, the programme refers to some theater concerts,
which were to be arranged according to Brendel's design. The
sketch was as follows: -
"1st Concert: Paradise and the Peri.
2nd Concert: Eroica, Prometheus.
3rd Concert: Overture of Wagner. Solo (Bronsart). Overture of
Beethoven.
2nd part: L'enfance du Christ of Berlioz.
4th Concert: Festival Song of Liszt. Solo. Draseke. Chorus for
men's voices from his Opera.
2nd part: Walpurgisnacht of Mendelssohn.
5th Concert: Overture of Berlioz, Wagner, or Beethoven.
Solo. Preludes.
2nd part: Manfred.
6th Concert: Overture. Solo. Tasso.
2nd part: B-flat major Symphony."
To this Liszt adds, besides some remarks about getting the parts for
No. 5:
"An orchestral work of Hans von Bulow (possibly the Caesar Overture)
would be suitable for this concert. I would also recommend that
Bronsart's "Fruhlings-Phantasie" ["Spring Fancy"] should be included in
one of the programmes.
"Of Berlioz' works I should recommend the following as the most
acceptable for performance: -
"The festival at Capulet's house (Romeo),
The Pilgrims' March (from Harold),
Chorus and Dance of Sylphs (Faust),
Terzet and Chorus (from Cellini), with the artists' oath,
Overture to Lear.
"N.B. - We can bring out the Terzet from Cellini at the next
Tonkunstler-Versammlung. It is a very important and effective piece."]
Dear Friend,
The sketch for your programme is excellent, and if I have some
doubts as to the entire project, yet your proposed programme
seems to me in any case the most suitable, both as regards choice
of works and their order and grouping.