The "Christus" Oratorio is progressing but slowly, owing to the many interruptions which I have to put up with this winter. It is to be hoped I may obtain some entire months of work during the summer. I thirst for it.
Of the musical undertakings here you will learn the more noteworthy events from a paper I sent to Brendel last week. Further and fuller news about myself is meanwhile uncertain. Probably I shall in the end not find myself able to do anything better than to put my whole story in the musical notes that I am incessantly writing down, but which need not either be printed or heard.
However that may be, I remain, dear friend, in sincere affection, yours gratefully and in all friendship,
F. Liszt
Rome, April 14th, 1863
P.S.—The Bach-Album and other music which you say you had to send me (e.g., your arrangement of the Dante fugue if it has been printed) please let me have through Kahnt. Enclose also a copy of the Ave Maria for Organ.
[Figure: Musical Score Excerpt]
15. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Dear friend,
The last months brought so many interruptions in my work that I still feel quite vexed about it. Easter week I had determined should, at last, see me regularly at work again; but a variety of duties and engagements have prevented my accomplishing this. I must, therefore, to be true to myself and carry out my former intention, shut myself up entirely. To find myself in a net of social civilities is vexatious to me; my mental activity requires absolutely to be free, without which I cannot accomplish anything.