Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 2, 1874

Overview

After handling business matters about music copyright, Richard reacts sharply to what he sees as cultural backwardness disguised as progress. We receive a pleasant visit from Wesendonck and later enjoy music at home, giving the day a warmer tone than its practical concerns.

Content

Friday, October 2:

After writing some business letters (having noticed that copyright in melody has been forgotten in the new Reich law on authors’ rights in Germany), R. exclaims, “This is what we call progress — stumbling along in the wake of the French and the English.”

In the afternoon, visit from Herr Wesendonck, whom we take up to the theater. In the evening music, Strauss waltzes and the Idyll.