As I was expecting parcels and news from Leipzig I delayed answering your friendly letter. I have not yet received either the Almanack, or the corrected proofs of the "Elizabeth". How did the performance in the Pauliner Church [Riedel had arranged a performance of the "Elizabeth" in Leipzig.] go off? Ask Kahnt to let me have one or two of the notices of it—especially the unfavorable ones. Remind him also to write to Otto Roquette about the translation of the Latin chorus at the end, to which I referred in my last letter to him.
Berlioz's "Requiem" is the corner-stone of the programme for the Altenburg Tonkunstler-Versammlung. I have often speculated about the possibility of having this colossal work produced. Unfortunately the Weimar churches were not sufficiently spacious, and in Brunswick, where the Egidien church would be a magnificent place for musical festivals of any kind, other difficulties stood in the way. Probably Altenburg also does not possess any building sufficiently large to hold an orchestra for the "Dies Irae", and Riedel will have to reduce the 16 drums, 12 horns, 8 trumpets and 8 trombones to a minimum. But, even though it should not be possible to give a performance of the whole work, still there are portions of it—such as the "Requiem Aeternam," the "Lacrymosa and Sanctus"—that are extremely well worth hearing and appreciating.
The sketch of the programme furnishes an excellent antidote to Berlioz's Requiem, in Handel's "Acis and Galatea"; and some smaller things of Draseke, Lassen and my humble self might be introduced in between.
Sgambati's co-operation will depend upon my journey. I am unable as yet to say anything definite about it. Not till June can I decide whether I can come or not. To speak frankly it will be difficult for me to leave Rome at all this year.
With regard to your personal affairs I can but again assure you that I take the liveliest interest in them. The modesty of your claims, dear friend, is very much out of proportion with the importance of the services you have rendered. One rarely meets with demands that are as just and as unpretending as yours. Be assured of my sincere readiness to promote your interest in higher quarters, and to do what I can to satisfy you.
With warmest thanks and kindest greetings yours,
F. Liszt
Rome, January 26th, 1868
Sgambati's matinees for Chamber-music are better attended than ever this winter. They include all that is musically interesting as regards Rome.
64. To Walter Bache