Please give Tardieu the cordial love of
Your much attached
F. Liszt
Weimar, December 14th, 1883
Yet another young pianist, but one of the best kind,—M. Siloti, a Russian by birth, and of good education. He was said to be the best pupil of Nicholas Rubinstein before he came to work with me. He obtained a marked success at Leipzig lately, which he will continue next week at Antwerp. In spite of my aversion to letters of introduction, I am giving him a couple of words for the Lynens, and I recommend him to your kind attention.
333. To Casar Cui
Very Honored Friend,
It is well known in various countries in what high esteem I hold your works. As I am convinced that the "Suite" of which you speak will prove itself worthy of your preceding compositions, I feel that I am honored by the dedication, and thank you for it with gratitude. Your musical style is raised far above ordinary phraseology; you do not cultivate the convenient and barren field of the commonplace…Doubtless form in Art is necessary to the expression of ideas and sentiments; it must be adequate, supple, free, now energetic, now graceful, delicate; sometimes even subtle and complex, but always to the exclusion of the ancient remains of decrepit formalism.
At Meiningen, where Bulow's admirable conducting is working wonders of rhythm and nuances with the orchestra, I lately had the honor of a conversation with the Grand Duke Constantine Constantinowitch, on the actual development of music in Russia and of the well-known capacity of its courageous promoters. His Imperial Highness justly appreciates their serious worth, their noble character and intense originality; consequently, dear Monsieur Cui, the Grand Duke accords full praise to your talents and deserts. I take pleasure in repeating this to you, at the same time renewing to you the assurance of my very sincere regard.
F. Liszt