'I was very happy yesterday, my concert went quite excellently, much better than I had hoped.
'After the quartet had been sympathetically received, I had great success as a player. Every number was greatly applauded, I think there was real enthusiasm in the room.
'Now I could very well give concerts, but I do not wish to do so, for it takes up too much time so that I can do nothing else....
'I played as freely as though I were sitting at home with friends; one is certainly influenced quite differently by the public than by ours.
'You should have seen the attention and seen and heard the applause.... I am very glad I gave the concert. You are probably rid of your guests again now and will be able to find a moment of time to write to me?
'Tell the contents of this letter to Herr Marxsen and say also that Börsendorfer[1] will not be able to send a piano before the New Year as so many are required for concerts. Shall I see about another for him? I await orders....
'I think my serenade will be given next Monday.
'I should have liked to introduce some of my vocal things in my concert yesterday, but it gave me a terrible amount of running about and unpleasantness and that is one of my reasons for wishing to be quiet now.[2]
'Did you sit together on Wednesday over the egg-punch? Write to me about it and anything else.[3]