Dear Friend,
The death of Mosonyi puts our hearts in mourning. [Michael Mosonyi, the friend of Liszt, and to whose sudden death the latter here refers, was famous in Hungary as a composer, teacher and author.] It makes us sorrow also for Music in Hungary, of which Mosonyi was one of the noblest, most valiant and praiseworthy representatives. One might be proud of walking side by side with him in the right road. In truth his name had not its due eclat and renown abroad; but he did not trouble himself the least about that, and possibly he did not even take enough trouble about it,—as much by wisdom as by contempt of equivocal and vulgar means, which were repugnant to the elevated rectitude of his soul. He felt what esteem was due to him, and thought of nothing but real glory; that which is attained by conscientious perseverance in the Good and the Beautiful.
Let us honor his memory by setting ourselves to make his examples and teaching bear further fruit!—
Many of the published compositions of Mosonyi deserve to be more and better known; others, still in manuscript,—his last great dramatic work "Almos" in particular—will soon be spread abroad, I hope.
We will talk about this shortly at Pest. For today I wish merely to share with some friend, such as yourself, dear Abranyi, the grief at the loss which we have sustained. Yours from my heart,
F. Liszt
Szegzard, November 2nd, 1870
107. To Sophie Menter
Dear Patroness,
Your dear little notes joyfully alarm the whole household. All beg you urgently to come as soon as possible, and I all the more urgently as I have to go to Vienna at the end of April.