Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 11, 1874

Overview

She is concerned by Boni’s toothache and by Richard’s overtaxed, agitated state after long hours at his score. Still, the day holds music and visits, and Rubinstein’s return to Beethoven brings a moment of deep delight, alongside Richard’s thought about the unity of a musical theme.

Content

Wednesday, November 11:

Poor Boni afflicted with a toothache. I work with Loldi. R. is busily engaged morning and afternoon with his score; he seems to have worked too much on it, for in the evening he is terribly agitated, which causes me concern. (I pay a few calls.)

I wrote to Frau W[esendonck]. Letter from Malwida; she has seen my father in Rome. Our musicians in the evening: R. goes through the Overture to Iphigenia in Aulis with one of them, then asks Herr Rubinstein to play the second movement of Op. 111 again, to our indescribable enjoyment.

Of the theme, R. says to the old church councilor, who was visiting us: “It is like the simplest dogmas, to which everything attaches itself and grows.”