Volume II Part 11 (1/2)
Perfect perfor run could alone console me, I cannot achieve The rehearsals are too few, and everything is done in too businesslike a rin” were favourably received, I a co specied thereby is too great I also hate like poison to have to take a single step in order to gain the favour of that wretched pack of journalists They continue abusingthat surprises me is that the public have not so far allowed the to do with these contemptible matters even if I happened to please the people
Let en;” that is all I desire If o to the devil, with all their honour and glory Through London I have got into awful arrears with my work; only yesterday was I able to finish the instrumentation of the first act of the ”Valkyie”
Body and soul are weighed down as by a load of lead My chief wish for this year--to begin ”Young Siegfried” at once after ive up, for it is very unlikely that I shall get beyond the second act of the ”Valkyrie”
here Such as I a eleladly inclined for work This eternal need of self-condensation for the purpose of self-defence supplies me with obstinacy and contempt, but not with the love of expansion and production
Klindworth has probably written to you; at least he was startled when I recently conveyed your re well here, but how aiously nursed stupidity are here protected with iron walls; only a blackguard and a Jew can succeed here
Upon the whole, you were right in retiring to Weimar; as much solitude as possible, that alone can save us
The Hartels sent e yesterday; eold,” when I took the score away from him to send it to you As soon as the copy at Dresden has been finished, he is to have it for the coement; and after that, if you wish it, it is to be sent to you Shall we see each other this year, perhaps on your return fro like it!
Perhaps at that time I should have recovered my voice, which here has disappeared entirely
Farewell, dearest friend Patience--that is all that re Much luck to your mass!
Farewell, dear, dear Franz
184
Klindworth has just played your great sonata to ether; he dined with me, and after dinner I made him play Dearest Franz, you ith rand and sweet, deep and noble, sublime as you are yourself It otten all at once More I cannot say, not just after having heard it, but of what I say I am as full as man can be Once more, you ith me! Ah, could you soon be with ht support life beautifully
Klindworth astonished ; no lesser man could have ventured to play your work to me for the first time He is worthy of you Surely, surely, it was beautiful
Good-night Many thanks for this pleasure vouchsafed to me at last
Your
R W
LONDON, April 5th, 8:30 evening
185
DEAREST RICHARD,
I had nothing to tell you that was pleasant or i ti these last weeks I have spun ot it done I do not knoill sound, but may say that I have PRAYED it rather than COMPOSED it Onyou the mass and my symphonic bubbles and troubles, half of which will by that time be in print If my scores should bore you, that will not preventsweetest enjoyment from your creations, and you old” and ”Valkyrie” to s appear to me ”stupid stuff”
How do you feel in London?