October 3lSt, 1876
Honored Friend,
Be so very kind as to convey my sincere thanks to Directors Mosenthal and Herbeck for the friendly communication about the Beethoven-Monument Concerts in Vienna next March. A few weeks earlier I beg you to send me the programmes, to which Beethoven's Concerto in E-flat major, and also as a Finale, in case the "Hammerclavier" appears admissible, the "Choral Fantasia," will willingly be added with his old hands by
Your faithful and most obedient
F. Liszt
198. To Hans Richter, Conductor of the Royal Opera in Vienna
[From a copy by Dr. Mirus in Weimar.-Addressee (born 1843 in
Hungary) the renowned conductor, since 1876, of the Bayreuth
Festspiel, and, in addition to his opera work in Vienna,
conductor of the Philharmonic Concerts there and of the Richter-
Concerts in London.]
November 10th, 1876
I thank you most sincerely for your friendly intention of giving my Beethoven-Cantata in the performance at the Royal Opera House for the benefit of the monument to Beethoven. By today's post you will receive the whole printed score, together with a separate edition of the orchestrated Andante (from the B-flat major Trio), which shines, like a guiding star, above my insignificant work. The Cantata was published by Kahnt, Leipzig, in the year 1870, and was also first brought out in Weimar, then in Pest, on the occasion of the Beethoven Jubilee Celebration. If, my dear Sir, the orchestration to some extent pleases you, I should advise you to take up this alone in your programme on the 15th December.
The remaining movements might meet with many hindrances in Vienna…and, frankly, I have become altogether somewhat shy as regards the performance of my compositions. Although I quietly endure their foregone want of success with prevailing criticism, it is my duty not to let my friends be injured by it.