Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 21, 1878

Overview

The day opened with praise for the father’s noble, artistic presence, while the household kept to its usual rhythm of children’s holiday and R. at work. In the evening the father’s performance was received with generous appreciation, especially for the patient way he judged weaker compositions.

Content

Wednesday, August 21:

In the morning R. enlarges on my father’s unique aristocratic personality, everything about him refined, princely, grand, yet at the same time full of artistic genius. The children are given a holiday, but R. works; I show some signs of tiredness; Frau v. Meyendorff arrives from Weimar.

In the evening my father plays a Fantaisie by Herr v. Bronsart, and R. and I admire the kind indulgence with which he judges such weak products.