Honored Sirs,
.—. May my slight share in your edition of Chopin's works, which nearly all belong to your firm, be of use to you. I remarked before how little really remains to be done to Chopin's compositions, as he himself, with praiseworthy and exceptional accuracy, added every possible instruction to the performer—even to the pedal indications, which in no other author appear so frequently.—Your collaborators will certainly find accuracy and authenticity of the original text in Karl Klindworth's Moscow edition of Chopin. I chose the "Etudes," because the first volume was dedicated to me, and the second too for the matter of that (at that time). I gladly dispense with a revision of both, and beg you particularly, dear Sirs, not to expose me to an unseemly rivalry. I will always maintain a most peaceful attitude towards my honored colleagues, and, wherever they please, allow their influence and opinion to have free play.
According to your letter, you repudiate the idea of "an instructive edition with other additions" of Chopin's works. Are then the directions for fingering also to be omitted?…All the more undisturbed will the leisure of the collaborators be.—
Last week I sent you the corrections of the "Triomphe funebre du Tasse," as well as the "Impromptu." Tomorrow "Heroide funebre" (for four hands) will follow, and very soon I am expecting the "Hunnenschlacht," which completes all the arrangements for four hands of the 12 "Symphonic Poems." A complete edition of them in 3 or 4 volumes (as you may judge best) will be a pleasure to me.
In spite of the much criticising, ignoring, and denunciation, which these things have had to suffer for 20 years, they are perhaps not yet quite done to death.
I beg you to add the Prefaces and Poems (French and German) to the edition for four hands, as well as to the scores, and also to the further editions for 2 pianos. The same with regard to the transcription for piano of the "Triomphe funebre" (Italian and German), because, as a matter of fact, a well-disposed programme composer uses such hints more than is generally supposed. Of course the dedication of the "Impromptu"—"a Madame la Baronne Olga de Meyendorff, nee Princesse Gortschakoff"—must not be left out.
With distinguished respect,
Your obedient
F. Liszt
Villa d'Este, September 26th, 1877