Dear Friend,
The difficulties and troubles of the musical situation of which you speak in your last letter but one, I can, unfortunately, only too well understand. No one is better acquainted with such matters than I am, and hence no one is better able to appreciate and recognise the value of your unselfish, persevering work and efforts, which also show you so sincere in your convictions. And one of the dark sides in my present position, dear friend, is that I can be of so little use to you, that I am compelled to remain in a state of passivity and forbearance that does not at all agree with me. However, you may rely upon my readiness to render any assistance wherever I may still be able to help.—In accordance with your wish I shall take an early opportunity of writing to Prince H[ohenzollern] concerning the Tonkunstler- Verein. It is to be hoped that our amiable, noble-minded patron will show himself no less disposed in our favor than he has done on former occasions. And you, on your part, do not fail to discuss with Seifriz by letter the points and modals of the support expected. It is a pity that Bulow's proposal to hold the next meeting of the T.K. Verein in Lowenberg has not proved feasible. Were it likely to be broached again I should not make any objections to it, because, in fact, the place seems to be precisely a favorable centre at present. But, as already said, it is not my place to express any definite opinion on the subject, and I am entirely satisfied in leaving all that has to be done to your judgment and foresight.
I am delighted to hear of Bulow's extraordinary success in Leipzig, and still more so to hear of your renewed and intimate relations with him. He is the born prototype of progress, and noble-minded to a degree! Without his active co-operation as director and standard-bearer a Tonkunstler-Versammlung at the present time would at least be an anachronism.
From Wagner I lately received a letter in which he informed me of a performance of his "Tristan" in Vienna towards the end of January. Afterwards he intends arranging some concerts in Berlin- -and, it seems, in St. Petersburg also. My endeavors to secure him comfortable quarters in Weimar seem for the time being to be useless, because of his dislike to an insignificant appointment, and the adverse circumstances of life in a small town. Certainly his project of drawing annually 3,000 thalers (*450 British pounds sterling*), by some agreement between the Grand Dukes of Weimar and Baden, is much more to the point. The question is only whether their Highnesses will consent to it? .—.
With heartiest greetings, most sincerely yours,
F. Liszt
December 30th, 1862
13. To Breitkopf and Hartel
Dear Herr Doctor,
The four scores of the Beethoven Symphonies, of which you advised me in your friendly letter, reached me yesterday. My eyes are meanwhile revelling and delighting in all the glories of the splendid edition, and after Easter I shall set to work. Nothing shall be wanting on my part, in the way of goodwill and industry, to fulfil your commission to the best of my power. A pianoforte arrangement of these creations must, indeed, expect to remain a very poor and far-off approximation. How instil into the transitory hammers of the Piano breath and soul, resonance and power, fulness and inspiration, color and accent?—However I will, at least, endeavor to overcome the worst difficulties and to furnish the pianoforte-playing world with as faithful as possible an illustration of Beethoven's genius.