Wagner's Letters

Franz Liszt to Richard Wagner

June 8, 1854 · Weimar

Overview

Liszt sends X.'s 'babble' with a draft of his reply, suspecting that the real obstacle in Berlin lies with persons they will not name, and promises to bring his symphonic poems when he can get away.

Letter

Herewith, dearest Richard, I send you X.'s babble, together with the sketch of my very simple answer. Probably the cart will stick in the mud for some time, and then the transactions will begin again. Well, I have learned to understand people, although the real kernel of their phrases has not been, and cannot be, clearly expressed. I have seen too much of this to be deceived. The difficulty lies neither with Hülsen nor with other people whose names have been mentioned, but with those whom we will not name, although we know them a little.

My symphonic poems I will bring you as soon as I find it possible to get away from here for a fortnight. I am very glad you take an interest in them.

Let us be patient, and remain in evil days faithful to eternity.

Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 158