Pray send me news of our dear and amiable Marie.
175. To Kornel von Abranyi
Dear Friend,
A thousand thanks for your letter with its weighty contents. [Abranyi had informed Liszt that the Hungarian Landes-Musik- Akademie—which had been called into existence by Trefort, the Minister of Education—had already been organised and was shortly to be opened, and that Liszt was invited to the inauguration ceremony.] All things considered, it does not appear to me advisable to hurry my return. As I did this year, I mean next year also to reach Pest towards the middle of February—in time for Lent and the concert season. By that time the work at the Musik-Akademie ought to have fairly established itself.
I gladly undertake to conduct a pianoforte-class for virtuosi and teachers,—first of all from the 1st March to Easter 1876. And should the undertaking give indications of proving a success, I would be willing to devote several months a year to this species of instruction in the Musik-Akademie of Budapest.
I look forward to being on the best and most cordial terms with Erkel. [Franz Erkel (born 1810), a celebrated Hungarian composer, at that time Director of the Musik-Akademie and Capellmeister at the National Theater in Pest. Died 15th June, 1893] Also with Volkmann and the other professors.
As regards the very worthy Secretary, I rejoice to labor with him as next-door neighbor (on the Fischplatz, where assuredly we shall not dry up "like fish out of water"), and remain always
His grateful and truly attached friend,
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, October 14th, 1875.