[Autograph of the letter to Brendel in the possession of Frau Dr. Riedel in Leipzig.—Brendel (born 1811, died November 25th, 1868, in Leipzig) rendered great services to the New German (i.e., the Wagner-Liszt) musical tendencies, as a writer on music (Geschichte der Musik, History of Music), and as editor of the Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik (founded by R. Schumann). He also, together with Liszt, originated the "Allgemeine Deutsche Musikverein" (the "German Universal Musical Union"), and was its president up to his death.]
Dear Friend,
A little trip to Gotha, where the Duke had invited me to be present at the performance of his opera "Casilda" the day before yesterday, must bear the blame of my delay in writing to you. After duly thinking over and considering your letter, I must tell you first and foremost my exact opinion with regard to the immediate appearance of the proposed paper. In my opinion at least two or three months are requisite to establish the necessary relations with the chief co-operators, and to give due weight to the whole undertaking. Without complete agreement as to means and aims we should compromise rather than help the matter. We must have the positive agreement and assurance of Semper, Stahr, Hettner, Hauenschild, and others (among whom Vischer of Tübingen must be sure not to be forgotten), before the first number appears. We have to struggle for a far higher and more difficult end than, for instance, the Unterhallungen am hausliehen Herd [Entertainments at Home] or the Fliegende Blatter fur Musik. [Fly-leaves for Music.] The most important step for us is the very first, at the house door; and if we do not weigh this step with due reflection we shall run a great risk of winning only imaginary future subscribers for the Art Work of the Future, and of seeing our best wishes for its feasibility shipwrecked.
Whether also the title Kunstwerk der Zukunft [Art Work of the Future.] should be employed, or what other definition should be the axis of our united efforts in the opening number, I will put on one side for the present. The full discussion of this and other things I will keep for your next visit to Weymar. Raff's opera is announced for this day fortnight (Sunday, April 17th). If it is agreeable to you to come here sooner, you will be most welcome at any moment. This time and every time that you come to Weymar, I beg you to stay with me, both for your own convenience and mine.
Förster's exact address I will send you very soon, although I conclude that letters addressed Herr Hofrath Ernst Forster would be safely delivered by the post office. Stahr is the best person to give you information about Herr von Hauenschild (Max Waldau— not Count, as far as I know), and Hettner is a Professor in Jena.
Further, it is my opinion that you had better not send your communications to these gentlemen until we have settled some of the chief points in this matter.
I shall undertake a security of four hundred thalers on this proposed agreement between us, in return for a receipt from the management which you will give me. I cannot at present hold out the prospect of further support; yet it is possible that I may succeed in getting three to five hundred thalers annually, under certain conditions, for which there is no personal ground whatever (and which I hinted to you in our last conversation in Leipzig), for the pages of The Present and Future.
Remember me kindly to your wife, and be assured of the entire willingness of
Yours truly,
F. Liszt