Walter Bache writes me word of his "Ninth Annual Concert" in London, with my 13th Psalm. Bache behaves "eroicamente" with regard to me, and takes rank in the very small group of my friends who are the most determined to show the public—in spite of the contrary opinion, much believed by influential papers— that my music is not absolutely void of sense. I should like to make the task of these friends a little easier, and I try not to increase the merit of their devotion by my faults.
Enclosed is the programme of the concert of our friend Mihalovich yesterday evening. "Romeo and Juliet" was encored, and the "Geisterschiff" did not founder. The audience, very aristocratic, was more select than numerous, which is a good sign for our friend. Item the squashing of some learned articles in the papers.
Will you kindly give my grateful acknowledgments to Mr. Hillebrand for his friendly remembrance, and for sending me his new volume on the French? I had read bits of it in the Augsburg Gazette, and shall take a double pleasure in reading the entire work. Hillebrand, like Alexander von Humboldt, has a passionate attachment to France;—I am proud to feel that I am in accord with him also on this point.
The day after tomorrow I shall be in Vienna, and shall spend a fortnight with my near relative and friend Eduard Liszt. After that I return to Weimar, and hope to see you there in the summer. I will write to you in good time about the performance of the Oratorio Christus…
Respectful homage and cordial friendship,
F. Liszt
Pest, March 30th, 1873
128. To Casar Cui
[Russian composer and musical critic.]
Sir,