Dear Friend,
While awaiting from you definite word about the next Tonkunstler- Versammlung in Dessau, let me, meanwhile, thank you for your last communication. The main interest of the musical performances is, of course, on this occasion centred in Riedel and his Verein. In the programme-sketch I notice my Psalm 137 at the very beginning. What lady takes the solo?—mind and soul are indispensable in it.
Bronsart wrote to me at the beginning of March that he entertained the idea of a concert-tour to the Russian provinces on the Baltic. I should be glad to hear that the Euterpe squabble and quarrel in connection with the T.K.V. in Dessau were at an end, and that Bronsart was to undertake the conductorship.
As a supplement to this I send you herewith the programme of the concert held in the hall of the Capitol, where for some years past no special festivities have been given, and probably never anything of this kind before. For the first time the different orchestras in Rome (the Sistine, St. Peter's, Lateran and Liberian) all united to give a performance which upon the whole may be said to have been as successful as it was well received.
The concert was proposed to the Holy Father, and approved of by him. Owing to the exceptional character of the undertaking, which, like that of last year, was made to fit in with the plan of the detailed arrangements—(some ladies belonging to the aristocracy, and commissionaires distributed the tickets which were sold at a minimum, no advertising, etc.), I determined to give my co-operation. I played the "Cantique" (the last number of the "Harmonies poetiques et religieuses" published by Kistner), and, as there was no end to the applause, I added my transcription of Rossini's "Charite" (published by Schott). Everybody in Rome with any claim to culture was present, and the hall was more than full.
With friendliest greetings, your sincerely devoted
F. Liszt
April 3rd, 1865
P.S.—Please get Kahnt to inquire of Hartel as soon as possible, how far the printing of my arrangement of the Beethoven Symphonies has progressed, and whether I may rely upon his sending—during Easter week as already settled—the orchestral parts (autographed) of several of my Symphonic Poems,—more especially of the Dante Symphony? It is possible that the Dante Symphony may be performed here towards the end of April. But you shall have further news of me before that.
Bote and Bock will shortly publish a very simple Hymn of mine (for pianoforte) entitled "The Pope's Hymn."