Your charming, gifted illustration of my little Quelle [spring] [Liszt's "Au bord d'une source" (Annees de Pelerinage), for three violins concertante (Schott, Mainz)] delights me anew. The three violins flow, splash, bubble and sing—and sound like rainbow colors.
With friendly thanks for this Artist-gift, I remain your ever respectfully obliged
F. Liszt
Weimar, May 10th, 1878
230. To Adolf von Henselt in St. Petersburg
[The "German Chopin," as Henselt has been called (1814-1889), lived in St. Petersburg from the year 1838, where, after Liszt's first visit there in 1842, they became warm friends. Henselt sent his "interpretation" of Liszt's Lucia-Fantasia to the latter "for correction." The above letter is in answer to that.]
My Honored Friend,
The original works of Adolf Henselt's are the noblest jewels of
Art. One longs for more of them…
By-the-by, when Henselt gives a hope of arranging, "interpreting," "making an effect with" other compositions, he succeeds so admirably that the public,
the pianists, and the compositions in question are thereby enriched and favored. Even my little "Lucia"-transcription has gained much by throe "interpretation," dear friend. Hearty thanks for this reminiscence of our Petersburg intimacy.