By the middle of April I hope to reach Weimar. Best thanks for sending the Ave maris stella—and in all friendliness I remain yours,
F. Liszt
Rome, February 14th, 1870
100. To Herr Gille, councillor of justice
Dear Friend,
The best thing I have to tell you today is that we shall soon see each other again. At the beginning of April I shall visit Bulow in Florence, and then go direct to Weimar.
Last week I had a correspondence with Riedel about matters of the Tonkunstler-Versammhung. The most important points are as follows:—The utmost economy that is possible to making a perfectly suitable orchestra and chorus. The spaces at our disposal in Weimar (churches, theater and refreshment room) will not allow of any great expenditure as regards the personnel. It is to be hoped that Muller-Hartung can obtain a respectable contingent for the Beethoven Mass, which will lessen the number of outside co-operators; and I in like manner reckon chiefly on the Weimar Vocal Union for the more important numbers of the concert programme-Psalm by Schulz-Beuthen, Prometheus by Saint- Saens, my Beethoven Cantata, etc. The arrangement of the orchestra is to be as it was at the Carl August Festival and at the Tonkunstler-Versammlung of '61—10 first violins, 6 to 7 double basses, etc. Riedel conducts Beethoven's Mass; Lassen the concerts in the theater; and Muller-Hartung my Cantata. Conzertmeister David and Director Hellmesberger will preside over the 1st violins. Both gentlemen will also determine about the performance of the Beethoven Quartet. Any other special violin virtuoso would be superfluous this time. Riedel must arrange the distribution of the solo parts of the Beethoven Mass according as he thinks best. Milde only requires, in my Cantata,
"Dieser Brave sei verpflichtet
Das zu thun, was wir gedichtet."
["May this brave one be constrained
That to do which we ordained.">[
(Schober, 49. Goethe-Feier.)