Weymar, December 5th, 1857.
189. To Hofcapellmeister Stein In Sondershausen.
[Autograph in the possession of M. Alfred Bovet at Valentigney.— The addressee, a first-rate conductor (born 1818), lived from 1853 in Sondershausen; died 1864.]
Let me give you once more my hearty thanks, dear friend, for the delightful day you gave me at Sondershausen, which continues so brightly and pleasantly in my recollection. The rare consummation with which your orchestra solved one of the most difficult tasks, and brought "what one hears on the mountains" [Liszt's Mountain Symphony] to the impressive understanding of the ears in the valley (if not indeed under the water and worse still), strengthens me in my higher endeavors,—and you, dear friend, will have to bear some of the responsibility if I go on writing more such "confused," "formless," and, for the every-day critic, quite "fathomless" things.
Singer [A letter from this first-rate violinist is on the same sheet with Liszt's.] needs no further recommendation from me, as he is already known to you as an eminent virtuoso. Especially at Court concerts his own refined and brilliant qualities are placed in their most favorable light.
If it is possible for you to take an opportunity of bringing out my dear and extraordinary budding genius Carl Tausig ["The last of the virtuosi;" as Weitzmann called him; born at Warsaw 1841; died at Leipzig 1871.] at the Court, I promise you that he will do honor to your recommendation.
In all esteem and devotion, yours ever,
F. Liszt
Weymar, December 6th, 1857
190. To Alexander Ritter in Stettin.