With much esteem, yours sincerely,
F. Liszt
Rome, October 4th, 1866
Will you kindly send Cantor Gottschalg in Tieffurt a good copy of my pianoforte scores of the nine Beethoven Symphonies? 49. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Dear Friend,
My heartfelt sympathy in the grievous loss which you have sustained. [On November 15th, 1866, Dr. Brendel lost his wife, Elizabeth nee Trautmann (born in St. Petersburg 1814). She was a pianist and a pupil of Field and Berger. Dr. Brendel survived her only two years.] It is an immeasurable sorrow on which one can only be silent!—
Let us pass over to the business part of your letter. Our Grand Duke informs me that there is to be a Wartburg Festival this summer (a Jubilee in celebration of the 800th year of the Wartburg's existence). And for this fete he wishes a performance of the "Elizabeth-Legend" under my personal direction. I have agreed to this, for, as the occasion is an exceptional one, I too am enabled to make an exception to meet his commands. Now as the Duke is Patron of the Tonkunstler-Verein, it seems to me appropriate that this year's T. K. Versammlung should be brought into some connection with the Wartburg Jubilee. Think the matter over and discuss it with Gille. The date of the Wartb. Festival has not been announced to me, and will probably not be settled till later. As for myself I could not promise to remain more than one month in Germany. Hence it would be agreeable to me personally if the T. K. Versammlung were not kept apart from the Wartburg Jubilee, and were arranged for about the same date; I could then attend both. In case Bulow cannot undertake to act as conductor, those to be mentioned as substitutes would be, no doubt, Seifriz, Riedel, Damrosch, Lassen.— Seifriz's hesitation with regard to the publication of his Overture I consider to be scrupulous beyond measure, and am of the opinion that he should not hold to it any longer. Gille's circular (of December 9th) I, of course, agree with, only the compensation of 50 thalers [about 71 British pounds sterling, 0s., 0d.] is somewhat too modest. I should like to see an 0 added to the 50.—
The full score and pianoforte score of the "Elizabeth" contain a mass of errors. The revising will take me a couple of weeks. At the beginning of February I will send you the manuscript for Kahnt's disposal, that is, if he is willing to comply with my conditions about the publication (which I will write out carefully for you). You know that I should have preferred to postpone the publication of the "Elizabeth" for some time longer- -still I understand Kahnt's difference of opinion, and desire to prove myself willing, provided that you approve of my willingness.
.—. Kindly, when you have an opportunity, remind Hartel about sending the dedication-copy of my pianoforte scores of the Beethoven Symphonies to Bulow. The copy ought to be properly bound (in three volumes—3 Symphonies in every volume), and addressed to Bulow, Johanniss-Vorstadt 31, Basel.
With sincere thanks and hearty good wishes for the year 1867, I remain in unchanging friendship, yours,