Paris, September 30th, 1841
19, Rue Pigalle (Permanent Address).
388. To Eugenio Gomez, Organist of the Cathedral at Seville
[Autograph, without address, in the Liszt-Museum in Weimar. The addressee (born 1802) was both pianist and composer.]
You have been pleased, my dear Monsieur Gomez, to ask my perfectly frank opinion of your "Melodies harmonisees," and-quite frankly [Liszt uses the same expression—tout franc—in each case.]—I am much embarrassed by it, for it is in vain I turn them over and over again; on every side I find only compliments to make you about them. It is true that you could not doubt their sincerity any more than you could the real merit of your work. It is needless to speak of the modesty of true talent; this modesty cannot go to the extent of foolishness, and the Artist and supreme Architect of the spheres gives us Himself the example of this legitimate satisfaction which the consciousness of having done well brings us, by rejoicing over His work each day of the Creation.
One defect, nevertheless, and a very grave defect, which I have discovered in your "Harmonies" by dint of searching, is, that there are only 12 instead of 24 or 48—as all true lovers will wish. Make haste, my dear Monsieur Gomez, set yourself to work, and repair as quickly as possible this unpardonable defect in your labor; and, while extending it to the utmost, think sometimes of your most affectionate and devoted servant,
F. Liszt
389. To Madame(?).
[Autograph, without address, date, and conclusion, in the Liszt-
Museum at Weimar.]
[Sevilla, end of December, 1844]