Monte Mario (Madonna del Rosario)
P.S.—Sgambati, an excellent Roman pianist, wishes to study my A major Concerto. Schott has as yet omitted to send me the complimentary-copy of this piece, to which I am entitled, so I beg you to enclose in Kahnt's next sending a duplicate copy (arranged for 2 pianofortes, as there can be no thought of an orchestral performance of it here). From Hartel I have also ordered for Sgambati and Bach [This is no doubt meant for Bache.] my Etudes, the Paganini ones, and my "Ave Maria" (chorus-score and voice parts, for a performance at the Classical Concerts conducted by Mililotti). It would be advisable, owing to the expense of forwarding music, to send the things all in one parcel; please be kind enough to suggest this to Hartel, and to get the 3 opus from him, and I do not wish to have to wait beyond the end of October for them. Gottschalg will soon have some copy to send me which might come at the same time.
21. To Justizrath Dr. Gille of Jena
Dear friend,
I trust you will forgive my long silence. I could not excuse myself in any other way than by a worse lamentation about the variety of circumstances, moods and occupations that have more and more encouraged my habitual dislike to letter-writing. Unless some definite object demands it of me, I do not write to any one in Germany, with the exception of Bulow, my cousin Eduard in Vienna, and Brendel, to whom I am very grateful for the kindness with which he looks after the more important details connected with my musical affairs. As regards my Weimar friends, my inclination to communicate with them is spoilt by my imagining that they would as gladly see me among them as I should feel at home among them. And as I cannot write to them and say: "I am coming to remain with you," I get more and more silent.
My stay in Rome is not an accidental one; it denotes, as it were, the third part—(probably the close) of my life, which is often troubled, but ever industrious and striving upwards. Hence I require ample time to bring various long works and myself to a good ending. This requisite I find in my retirement here, which will probably become even more emphatic; and my present monastic abode provides me not only with the most glorious view over all Rome, the Campagna and the mountains, but also what I had longed for; quiet from without and peacefulness.—Enclosed is a photograph of the "Madonna del Rosario," as an illustration to the notices that have lately appeared in the newspapers in connection with the Holy Father's visit here.
Your friendly lines came strangely in conjunction with the "Dettingen Te Deum" to which you refer, and which I was playing through at the very moment your letter was handed to me. A very amiable English lady delighted me a little while ago by presenting me with the praiseworthy London edition-"Novello's Centenary Edition"—of the Oratorios of Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, etc. (and all sold at from 1 to 3 shillings each); these works are always welcome society to me. The number containing the "Dettingen Te Deum" also contains the "Coronation Anthem" (composed in 1741). "Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, anointed Solomon King." [This sentence is written in English by Liszt.]
The commencement is wonderfully grand and powerful, like the
Bible itself.—
However notwithstanding all my admiration for Handel, my preference for Bach still holds good, and when I have edified myself sufficiently with Handel's common chords, I long for the precious dissonances of the Passion, the B minor Mass, and other of Bach's polyphonic wares.
Remember me kindly to your wife, and with heartiest greetings to
M. Gille, junior, I am Your sincerely attached