May 05, 2016 - Sale 2413

Sale 2413 - Lot 245

Price Realized: $ 4,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 4,000 - $ 6,000
"THE . . . BEETHOVEN CANTATA [NO. 2] IS STILL NOT VISIBLE ON THE ROMAN HORIZON" 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 realize 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 corners of first leaf, even toning overall. Rome, 28 July 1869
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"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 ingeniously; 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 publication--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 performed 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 occasion of the Beethoven Festival in Weimar.
"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.