remember that my medallion by Rietschel had the honor of being placed, for the last fifteen years, near M. Sacha's writing-desk.
In order not to frighten the Pest post-office employees by my dealings with "foreign powers," I sent M. von Saar's book to the address of Count Wedel,2 M. Sacha's secretary and the son of Countess Wedel who was the former chief lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Hannover. He answered me with the note that I am allowing myself to enclose to you, so that I might inform Your Highness completely and authentically of this petty Weimarian affair.
In truth, the performance of Hellwig3 Gregory VII, applauded this winter at Weimar, makes plausible the postponement until next season of M. von Saar's play, I will again recommend it to M. Sacha, at his home, this spring. However, it would seem fitting and opportune to me, if M. von Saar were to write a few words to Baron von Loën, the Intendant of the theater, and send him a "second" copy of his Henry IV and his Gregory VII.
I haven't said a word to Rome; and in order not to act like a "confidence man" (which wouldn't at all jibe with my old qualification as the "friend of the truth"), I shall abstain from mentioning anything about it in that direction. To compare Saar's drama with Kaulbach Arbnez would seem to me a bit dangerous; but it is the prerogative of great minds to adventure and even to dwell in the highest regions of intellectual risk.
Please accept, Your Highness, the very humble testimonies of my most constant and devoted gratitude.
January 20, '73, Pest. F. Liszt.
I have written recently a kind of a paraphrase of the Szozat (call) and of the Hungarian Hymn.4 This patriotic selection will be performed here (by the Orchestra) before I leave, and I am allowing myself to dedicate it to Count Andrasy [sic], and to send it to him, printed.
Your Highness,
I was able to grasp the imprint of your feeling in the enclosed Song. It has excellent musical quality; and if Riedel1 will accept my
-155-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: The Letters of Franz Liszt to Marie Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein.
Contributors: Howard E. Hugo - Translator, Howard Hugo E. - Editor, Franz Liszt - Author.
Publisher: Harvard University Press.
Place of publication: Cambridge.
Publication year: 1953.
Page number: 155.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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