Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 22, 1881

Overview

Cosima drafts a response to Hülsen through the night, then shares a lively morning conversation with Richard about the inexhaustible richness of Cervantes. At lunch they discover they have both been preoccupied with the triumphant conclusion of Beethoven's C Minor Symphony, and Joukowsky presents unsatisfying costume sketches for the Magic Garden. The day ends in Richard's absence from the musical gathering — he has taken ill and gone to bed, leaving the others to spend the evening with Tristan without him.

Content

Tuesday, February 22:

I occupy myself during the night with the reply, but in the morning I am able to talk sensibly about Cervantes with R. An inexhaustible subject, but at the same time unapproachable! R. is now inclined to leave Hülsen be, but when he sees what I have written down, he is in favor of immediate publication in the A. A. Z.

At lunch I tell him that I cannot get the conclusion of the C Minor Symphony out of my mind, and he says this is very remarkable, for during the morning he had been analyzing this song of victory, this happy rejoicing about nothing, he adds, gaily. Jouk. presents his sketches; the Magic Garden is still not right.

We go for a walk on the ice, since the surrounding paths are all muddy. Fidi skating on it all by himself! We part in contentment, but when I come downstairs, R. is not feeling well. He goes to bed, and we spend a musical evening with Tristan in his absence!