172 / 230
“THE . . . BEETHOVEN CANTATA [NO. 2]
IS STILL NOTVISIBLE ONTHE ROMAN HORIZON”
245
●
LISZT, FRANZ. Autograph Letter Signed, “F. Liszt,” to Carl
Gille (“Dear Friend”), in German, praising Carl Riedel’s arrangement
of Heinrich Schütz’s Passions as well as other works performed by the
Leipzig Congress of Musicians, suggesting that the Passions as well as
the Psalm by [Heinrich] Schulz-Beuthen be published by the Music
Society and performed at the Music Festival in 1870, intending to real-
ize a proposal by [Julius?] Alsleben in time for the Beethoven Festival in
Weimar, requesting that he write to [author of text for Liszt’s 2nd
Beethoven cantata, Adolf] Stern, noting that he would like to work on
the cantata unimpeded, expressing uncertainty about the date of the
Rheingold
performance, and in a postscript, requesting his address. 3
1
/
2
pages, 8vo; complete separations at folds, small closed tear repaired on
terminal page with tissue, edges reinforced with tissue, remnants of prior
mounting at upper edge of terminal page, some chipping at upper cor-
ners of first leaf, even toning overall.
Rome, 28 July 1869
[4,000/6,000]
“
With Heinrich Schütz, our excellent Riedel has made a master shot. The 4
Passions of this ‘From womb to the profession of music, separated (“segregatus!”)’
are a splendid find and served the Leipzig Congress of Musicians worthily and
brilliantly. As for the rest, the entire program was selected and arranged inge-
niously; I was pleased to see Franz, Volkmann, Raff, Brahms, Draesecke,
Blassmann, Lassen, Mueller, Hartung etc. in it. Only one name do I miss:
Schulz-Beuthen, whose compositions are of special importance and interest. In my
opinion, Schulz’s Psalm should be designated as our Music Society’s next publica-
tion—and be performed at the Music Festival (‘70). It would also be fitting to
publish the Schütz Passions along with the other three other works of his per-
formed in St. Thomas Church, as publications of the A.D. Musikv[erein].
Communicate this to our Leipzig colleagues.
“
I intend to work zealously to bring Dr. Alsleben’s proposal ‘the Musical Art [. .
.]’ to fruition and likewise to obtain the funding to ensure that the Society’s
energy remains strong. Hopefully we will attain both results next year on the occa-
sion of the Beethoven Festival inWeimar.
“
The Stern Beethoven cantata is still not visible on the Roman horizon. I have
no lack of things to do, mind you; but I would just like to prepare this work
unimpeded for the time being. Do me a favor and write a few pressing lines to
Stern.
“
I have received no definite word about the Rheingold performance. If it takes
place on the 25th of August as announced, I will travel from here to Munich on
the 18th, where I hope to see you . . . .”
Published in Adolf Stern’s
Franz Liszts Briefe an Carl Gille
. No. 25. Leipzig,
1903.
Liszt’s
Beethoven Cantata
No. 2 was composed to celebrate the centenary of
Beethoven’s birth. Although the work premiered in May of 1870, Liszt himself
conducted the performance in Pest in December of that year.