Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 28, 1881

Overview

Richard spent the day denouncing falseness in personal relations and politics, feeling that Liszt's recent waltz had somehow altered the innocence of their circle. He still worked intensely on the score, even refining an orchestral detail, and a drive with Cosima briefly restored his sense that all was well when they were alone together. Supper and whist remained lively thanks to Judith and Eva, but his temper flared again over the treatment of the Jaegers.

Content

Wednesday, September 28:

R. complains loudly that everything, everything is a lie! He feels, for instance, that since my father played the waltz, the innocence of our relationships has vanished. “The Prussian state also consists of lies, of which they are unaware.”

He works both morning and afternoon and tells us that he has inserted a solo violin in place of a clarinet at the words “so schüttelte sie die Locken.” At lunch we have, besides our friend Judith, the poor Jagers. R. and I drive out to Mistelbach, and he feels that all is well when we are together.

In the evening he plays whist; the beautiful Judith sits down beside him and then declares that she wishes to play with him, and the group (Lusch with my father) makes a charming and merry picture. Eva causes much amusement with her talent for mimicry.

But an explosion against Porges on account of the Jagers.