Both on this account and for other reasons I think this parenthesis dangerous, and can in no wise subscribe to it!
With friendliest greetings, your sincere
F. Liszt
December 19th, 1860
I have written a long letter to Kahnt today. In case he cannot read my writing, will you be so good as to help him with it?
250. To Felix Draseke
You have again encouraged and rejoiced me, my excellent friend, by your affectionate comprehension of my meaning and endeavors in the "Dante" Symphony.
Once more my heartfelt thanks for it. Later on, when "Hamlet" and the "Hunnenschlacht" are published, please do not refuse me the special satisfaction of publishing the whole of your articles on the Symphonic Poems in the form of a pamphlet. We will speak further of this by word of mouth, and possibly a few musical examples could be added to the earlier ones.
How far have you got with the "Loreley"?—Only take hold of the witch with tender force.—Geibel has lately brought out his opera-text to the "Loreley," and several composers are already setting to work on it (or under it). In the present state of things there is not much to be expected from effusions and feeble attempts of that kind. On the other hand I am expecting something great, beautiful, and magical from the Symphonic form into which you will shape this story—a story which just as easily becomes dry and tedious as, on the other hand, it can be melting. Take care that we bring your work to a hearing at the next Tonkunstler-Versammlung (in July-August) here.
O. Singer's "Entschwandenes Ideal" ["Vanished Ideal">[ is full of music; noble in conception and powerfully worked out. I shall write to him shortly about it, and send him my seventh book of songs, as you told me that he rather liked the earlier ones.—