I cannot tell you how your generosity of mind and heart touches me. The favorable reception you have obtained at Florence for the "Beatitudes" and the "Pater noster" is a link the more in the chain of my musical obligations to you, dear and valliant Maestra. Will you kindly convey my best thanks to your co- operators. .—.
As a slight musical indication observe that in the "Pater noster"
I simply modulate and develop somewhat,—in the somewhat confined
limits of a sentiment of trusting and pious submission,—the
Gregorian intonation as sung in all our churches—
[Figure: Musical score excerpt setting the words "Pater noster qui es in coelis">[
following the traditional intonations for each verse. This framework was naturally adapted to the arranging of my Oratorio— "Christ",—in which I employed two or three other intonations of the plain-song, without considering myself guilty of a theft by such a use.
You know that the rehearsals of the "Christ" have begun. With the help of our dear and admirable Sgambati it will be able to be given here at the end of June. I shall invite you to come and hear it, and shall send you shortly the programme of the whole work, which is going to be published previously.
But since you interest yourself with so rare a zeal in my poor works and in making them known, I am tempted to propose to you the 23rd and 137th Psalms for your Florence programmes. The latter has been sung here this winter with some success. It is not very troublesome to study; provided that the singer understands what she has to say the rest goes of itself. The accompaniment is limited to four instruments,—Harp, Violin, Harmonium and Piano; and, as in the Magnificat of the Dante Symphony, the chorus is written for Soprano and Alto voices (without Tenors or Basses). The text is excessively simple, and is reduced to the one word, Jerusalem!
Perhaps you may also meet with a kind soul who is willing to translate into Italian the Chorus of Reapers ("Schnitterchor") from the Prometheus, which could be performed quite simply with piano accompaniment.
I will permit myself to send you the two Psalms next week by Mrs. Pearsoll (of New York), to whom I have sung your praises, a matter in which I yield to no one. Happily the opportunity for practising this recurs often: Mme. d'Usedom (whom I met the other evening at Bn. Arnim's) will speak to you of it. .—.
As soon as I receive positive tidings about the coronation at Pest you shall know. I shall certainly not stir from Rome this time without coming to spend some hours with you at Florence.
Continue your friendship to me, and believe in mine, very cordial and grateful.