It is to be hoped that Schnorr will be kind enough to adapt himself to the tenor part (the only solo voice in the Psalm, but which affects everything, and penetrates and sways chorus and orchestra). Theodor Formes sang the part very well eight years ago in Berlin; but that performance at Stern's Concert was to me only a first trial performance!—
With notes alone nothing can be accomplished; one thirsts for soul, spirit, and actual life. Ah! composing is a misery, and the pitiful children of my Muse appear to me often like foundlings in a hospital, wandering about only as Nos. so and so!—
Please give my best thanks to Schnorr for having so kindly interested himself in my orphaned "Songs." His better self- consciousness—the God we carry in our breasts—requite him for it!—My daughter, Frau von Bulow, writes and tells me marvels about Schnorr and his wife, and of the performance of "Tristan" at Wagner's in Biebrich. If only we possessed electric telegraphs in favor of musical ubiquity! Assuredly I would not make any misuse of them, and only rarely put myself in correspondence with the music-mongers; but Tristan and Isolde are my "soul's longing"!
The French journals contain nothing but praise and exclamations of delight at the success of "Benedict and Beatrice," Berlioz's new opera, which was performed in Baden. Pohl is sure to give you a full report of it. To judge from his essay, the tenor solo at the end of the "Faust Symphony" caused less offence in Leipzig (it was the stumbling-block in the Weimar performance, so much so that influential and well-disposed friends have urgently advised me to strike out the solo and chorus and to end the Symphony with the C major common chord of the orchestra). It was really my intention at first to have the whole "Chorus mysticus" sung invisibly—which, however, would be possible only at performances given in theaters, by having the curtain lowered. Besides which, I felt doubtful whether the sound would not have thus become too indistinct…
However it may be with this and other things, I will not fail to exercise patience and goodwill—but neither will I make too great a demand upon yours. Enough, therefore, for today from your heartily devoted
F. Liszt
P.S.—N.B.—With the next sending of music please enclose the choruses from Schumann's "Manfred" (Songs and pianoforte accompaniment). I shall probably this autumn be engaged with the same subject, which, in my opinion, Schumann has not exhausted.
9. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Dear Friend,
You will have heard of the grievous shock I received in the middle of September. [Liszt's eldest daughter, Mme. Blandine Ollivier, had died.] Shortly afterwards Monsieur Ollivier came to Rome, and during his stay here, which lasted till the 22nd October, I could not calculate upon being able to take any interest in other outward matters. This last week I have had to spend in bed. Hence my long delay in answering you.