I permit myself to recommend once more particularly to your kindness M. Abranyi. He perseveres in his meritorious career as writer, theorist, composer, translator, professor, and Magyar character of the noblest stamp. The evidence of his merits will assuredly be recognised in many languages by a heap of laudatory phrases…after his death. A brilliant obituary is assured to Abranyi, but I hope that Your Excellency will accord him the modest satisfaction that he claims while he is alive.
I have the honor to be, Monsieur le Ministre, your very humble and very devoted servant,
F. Liszt
Weimar, May 12, 1879
246. To Walter Bache
Very honored, dear Friend,
Hearty thanks for your letter and for letting me see Manns's Commentary on the "Hunnenschlacht." Please give to Manns the accompanying short explanation of the idea of my "Symphonic Poem." In spite of my spending several hours in letter-writing almost every day, it is impossible for me to be regarded as a punctual correspondent. Intelligent and kindly-disposed persons will excuse me, and the many others I can scarcely entertain any longer, because I don't require any such entertainment! [Play upon the words "wirthschaften" (to manage) and "Wirthschaft" (housekeeping, or a public house]
Next Whit-week "Tonkunstler-Versammlung" in Wiesbaden. On the 5th June Bulow conducts the first concert there, at which Bronsart's beautiful and valuable "Fruhlings-Fantasie," Billow's music to Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," and my "Faust Symphony" will be performed. Bulow kindly plays the piano the same evening, and has chosen Tschaikowsky's Concerto. Besides this his favorite pupil Schwarz produces several "Etudes transcendantes." [By Liszt] Till the middle of July I stay here. Then Bayreuth, and at the end of August Villa d'Este. To Frau Jessie Hillebrand and her husband [who were just then in London] give heartfelt and faithful devotion, with respectful thanks, from
Theirs in old friendship,
F. Liszt