And I must ask you, dear Herr Doctor, in order that the statement on all the title pages—"critically revised edition"—may be complied with, to send me—together with your new edition of the scores of the "Pastoral," the C minor, and A major Symphonies—a copy of my own transcriptions of them. Probably I may alter, simplify, and correct passages—and add some fingerings. The more intimately acquainted one becomes with Beethoven, the more one clings to certain singularities and finds that even insignificant details are not without their value. Mendelssohn, at whose recommendation you formerly published my pianoforte scores of the "Pastoral" and C minor Symphonies, took great delight in these minutiae and niceties!—
With regard to the agreement about the A major Symphony I mean shortly to write to Carl Haslinger, and expect that he will be quite willing to meet my wish. [A pianoforte transcription of this Symphony by Liszt had been published by Haslinger.]
With grateful thanks, dear Herr Doctor, I remain yours in readiness and sincerity,
F. Liszt
Rome, March 26th, 1863
P.S.—The four Symphonies shall be finished before the end of summer and sent to Leipzig. If you are satisfied with my work would you entrust the arrangement of the Overtures to me when I have finished the Symphonies—provided, of course, that you have not made any agreement with any one else?
14. To A. W. Gottschalg in Weimar
Dear Friend,
This year my name-day fell in the middle of Easter week, on Maundy Thursday. Your hearty letter again brought what to me is the pleasantest news in the world. Thank you for it, and let those know of it who share your sincere, friendly, and faithful sentiments! First let me mention Carl Gotze, [A chorister in Weimar (a favorite copyist of the Master's) became a musical conductor in Magdeburg and died in 1886.] whose kindly words I should so gladly like to answer in accordance with his wish, and then my dear Kammer-virtuoso, Grosse. Grosses trombone no doubt officiated brilliantly at Bulow's concert and at the performance of Berlioz's opera! An echo of the former reached me, thanks to your inspired notice in Brendel's paper, where I accidentally came across a little remark which you had addressed to one of the most estimable and graceful of German lady-singers anent my little-heeded songs. I certainly cannot find fault with you for showing some interest in the songs and for thus frankly expressing your opinion. On the contrary, your sympathetic appreciation is always welcome, amid the direct and indirect disparagement which falls to my lot. Unfortunately, however, I must make up my mind that only by way of an exception can I expect to find friends for my compositions. The blame is mine; why should one presume to feel independently, and set the comfortable complacency of other folks at defiance?—Everything that I have written for several years past shows something of a pristine delinquency which is as little to be pardoned as I am unable to alter it. This fault, it is true, is the life-nerve of my compositions, which, in fact, can only be what they are and nothing else.—
In the Psalms I have made some important alterations, and shall shortly send Kahnt the manuscript. A few passages (especially the verse "Sing us one of the songs of Zion") which had always appeared awkward to me in the earlier version, I have now managed to improve. At least they now pretty well satisfy my soul's ear.