Budapest (where I stay the whole winter)
200. To Constantin Sander, Music Publisher in Leipzig
[Autograph in possession of M. Alfred Bovet in Valentigney.]
Very honored Sir,
Best thanks for kindly sending me the "collected writings of Hector Berlioz" and some novelties of your firm. The compositions of Tschaikowsky interest me. A few of my pupils here play his Concerto and several of his pieces really capitally. I have also recommended Riedel to include Tschaikowsky's Symphony in the programme of the next Tonkunstler-Versammlung.
Otto Reubke's arrangement of the Schubert Quartet [In A minor, published by Sander (F. E. C. Leuckart).] for one performer on the pianoforte seems to me well done, though the 3rd bar of the first Allegro should stand thus,—
[Here, Liszt illustrates with a musical score excerpt]
because in the latter case the important E of the melody cannot be held on, etc.—
I know the manuscript of an excellent arrangement of Schubert's D minor Quartet for 2 hands, the author of which, a man of very high standing, I do not today mention by name. But should you be inclined to publish this Quartet (arranged for 2 hands on the P.F.) I will gladly give you further particulars.—
By today's post you receive my last revision of Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique." I have added two remarks to the title which I beg you to notice and adhere to. Thus "Piano Score"—not "Arrangement."…Then it is absolutely necessary to insert the whole programme of Berlioz, French and German, in your 2nd edition (on the 1st page after the title-page). If necessary my friend Richard Pohl will give you the original French text and the translation.