Letters of Franz Liszt, vol 1, Paris to Rome | Page 8

to
the concert; but it is not given up because it is put off, and I hope, as
soon as ever I am well again, to have the pleasure of making these
beautiful variations known to a large public.
Pixis [a notable pianist (1788-1874)--lived a long time in Paris] and
several other people have spoken much to me of four concertos that
you have lately finished, and the reputation of which is already making
a stir in Paris. I should be very much pleased, my dear Master, if you
would commission me to get them sold. This would be quite easy for
me to do, and I should also have the pleasure of playing them FROM
FIRST HAND, either at the opera or at some big concerts. If my
proposition pleases you, send them to me by the Austrian Embassy,
marking the price that you would like to have for them. As regards any
passages to be altered, if there are any, you need only mark them with a
red pencil, according to your plan which I know so well, and I will
point them out to the editor with the utmost care. Give me at the same
time some news about music and pianists in Vienna; and finally tell me,
dear Master, which of your compositions you think would make the
best effect in society.
I close by sending you my heartfelt greetings, and begging you once
more to pardon the shameful silence I have kept towards you: be
assured that it has given me as much pain as yourself!
Your very affectionate and grateful pupil,
F. Liszt
December 23rd, 1828

P.S.--Please answer me as soon as possible, for I am longing for a letter
from you; and please embrace your excellent parents from me. I add
my address (Rue Montholon, No. 7bis).

2. To De Mancy in Paris
[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay in Paris.]
December 23rd, 1829
My Dear M. de Mancy,
I am so full of lessons that each day, from half-past eight in the
morning till 10 at night, I have scarcely breathing time. Please excuse
me therefore for not coming, as I should have liked to do, to lunch with
Madame de Mancy, but it is quite impossible. The only thing I could do
would be to come about 10 o'clock, if that would not be too late for a
wedding day, and in that case I will beg M. Ebner [Carl Ebner, a
Hungarian, a talented violinist (1812-1836)] to come with me. I don't
write you a longer letter, for there is a pupil who has been waiting for
me for an hour. Besides, we are not standing on ceremony. Ever yours,
F. Liszt

3. To Carl Czerny
[Autograph in the Musical Society's Archives in Vienna. Printed in a
German translation: "La Mara, Letters of Musicians extending over
Five Centuries." II. Leipzig, B. and H. 1887.]
My dear and beloved Master,
It would be impossible to explain to you the why and wherefore of my
leaving you so long without news of me. Moreover, I have now only
five minutes in which to write to you, for Mr. Luden, a pianist from
Copenhagen, is starting shortly, and for fear of delaying his journey I
must be brief; but what is postponed is not lost, so cheer up, for very
soon you will get a great thick letter from me, which I will take care to
prepay, as I should not like to ruin you.
Among all the circles of artists where I go in this country I plead your
cause tremendously: we all want you to come and stay some time in
Paris; it would certainly do you a great deal of good, and you are so
widely esteemed that you will doubtless be well satisfied with the
reception you will meet with here. If you ever entertain this idea, write

to me, I entreat you, for I will do for you what I would do for my father.
I have been making a special study of your admirable sonata (Op. 7),
and have since played it at several reunions of connoisseurs (or
would-be connoisseurs): you cannot imagine what an effect it made; I
was quite overcome by it. It was in a burst of enthusiasm caused by the
Prestissimo, that Mr. Luden begged for a few words of introduction to
you; I know your kindness, indeed I could never forget it. I therefore
commend him in all confidence of your goodness, until the time when I
am so happy as to embrace you myself and to show you (however
feebly) all the gratitude and admiration which fill me.
F. Liszt
Paris, August 26th, 1830

4. To Alphonse Brot in Paris
[Autograph in the possession of M. Etienne Charavay