Weymar, January 21st, 1854
107. To Monsieur Marie Escudier, Music Publisher in Paris.
[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.]
My Dear Sir,
Mr. Franck [Cesar Aug. Franck, born at Liege in 1822, composer and professor at the Paris Conservatoire, teacher of Faure, Chabrie, and d'Indy, the chief representatives of the new French school of music.] having written to me for a special introduction to you, I have great pleasure in fulfilling his request by writing these few lines to you. For many years past I have had a favorable opinion of Mr. Franck's talent in composition, through having heard his trios (very remarkable, as I think, and very superior to other works of the same kind published latterly).—
His oratorio "Ruth" also contains beautiful things, and bears the stamp of an elevated and well-sustained style. If the opera which he wants to have performed at the Lyric theater answers to these antecedents and to what I expect of Mr. Franck, the Lyric theater could only congratulate itself on its choice, and the best chance of success would be assured. Being unable to judge of it at a distance, and the score of this opera being unknown to me, I confine myself simply to drawing your attention to the very real talent of Mr. Franck, at the same time recommending him affectionately to your kindness.
Pray accept, my dear Sir, the expression of my sincere regard.
F. Liszt
Weymar, January 28th, 1854
108. To Dr. Franz Brendel