Part 19 (1/2)

You have no doubt by this time received the new pianoforte sonata, and, if not, you will probably do so along with this letter Three days ago I played the sonata to Maderacious Prince At first I doubted veryto its difficulty, whether I should receive any applause, but was soon convinced of the reverse by a gold snuff-box being presented to me by Mademoiselle Nanette's own hand

My sole wish now is, that you reater credit withthat either you or your husband will let her know ”that enerosity,” especially being convinced that you take an interest in all benefits conferred on me It is a pity that you have not a Schanz pianoforte, which is much more favourable to expression; my idea is that you should make over your own still very tolerable piano to Fraulein Peperl, and get a new one for yourself Your beautiful hands, and their brilliant execution, deserve this, and ht to have composed the sonata in accordance with the capabilities of your piano, but, being so unaccustomed to this, I found it impossible, and now I a you can well iine: It is indeed sad always to be a slave--but Providence wills it so I aued perpetually by hard work, and with few hours for recreation Friends? What do I say?

One true friend; there are no longer any true friends, but one female friend Oh yes! no doubt I still have one, but she is far away Ah well! I take refuge in et me! Meanwhile I kiss your hands a thousand tiivefroer

ESTORAS, July 4, 1790

MOST ESTEEMED AND VALUED LADY,

I this moment receive your letter, and at the same time the post departs I sincerely rejoice to hear that my Prince intends to present you with a new piano, more especially as I a been constantly i Mademoiselle Nanette to persuade your husband to purchase one for you The choice now depends entirely on yourself, and the chief point is that you should select one in accordance with your touch and your taste Certainly my friend, Herr Walter, is very celebrated, and every year I receive the greatest civility from him; but, entre nous, and to speak candidly, sometimes there is not more than one out of ten of his instruly high priced besides I know Herr Nickl's piano; it is first-rate, but too heavy for your touch; nor can every passage be rendered with proper delicacy on it I should, therefore, like you to try one of Herr Schanz's pianos, for they have a reood pianoforte is absolutely necessary for you, and ain vastly by it

Meanwhile I thank you ard to Madeave et it polished up in Vienna I have as yet received no orders to purchase a pianoforte I fear that one may be sent to your house, which may be handsome outside, but the touch within heavy If your husband will rely on my opinion, that Herr Schanz is the best maker for this class of instrureat haste, yours, etc,

HAYDN

To Frau v Genzinger

Estoras, August 15

I ought to have written to you last week in answer to your letter, but as this day has been long enshrined inearnestly all the tiht days passed, and nohen ht to be expressed, my small amount of intellect co to say; herefore? because I have not been able to fulfill those musical hopes for this particular day that you have justly the right to expect Oh,and kind benefactress! if you could only know, or see into my troubled heart on this subject, you would certainly feel pity and indulgence for ination ever since it was bespoken, and it is only, alas! the pressure of urgent occurrences that has prevented its being hitherto ushered into the world! The hope, however, of your lenity towardstime of the fulfillment ofthe hundreds offered to you to-day and yesterday, nificant interloper; I say perhaps, for it would be too bold in me to think that you could form no better wish for yourself thanlady, that I can wish nothing for you on your nameday, because my wishes are too feeble, and therefore unproductive As for ence, and the continuance of your friendshi+p, and the goodness that I so highly prize This is my warmest wish!+ But if any wish of mine may be permitted, then mine shall become identical with your own, for thus I shall feel assured that none other remains, except the wish once more to be allowed to subscribe myself your very sincere friend and servant,

HAYDN

No further letters appear to have been addressed to the lady until Haydn started on his first visit to London in December 1790 One or two extracts from these London letters have been used in Chapter V, but as the repetitions will be very slight, we allow the letters to stand as they are

To Frau v Genzinger

CALAIS, Decr 31, 1790

HIGHLY HONOURED LADY,

A violent stor at Calais till this evening (where I a we cross the sea to London I promised to write from Brussels, but we could only stay there an hour I a to fatigue, irregular sleep, and eating and drinking so s A few days hence I will describe the rest ofyou to excuse me for to-day I hope to heaven that you and your husband and children are all well

I ah esteeer

LONDON, Jan 8, 1791

I thought that you had receivedto s ofa few days that I ht detail various incidents to you Iearly mass, I took shi+p at half-past seven o'clock am, and at five o'clock in the afternoon arrived safe and well at Dover, for which Heaven be praised! During the first four hours there was scarcely any wind, and the vessel lishtwenty-four between Calais and Dover The shi+p's captain, in the worst possible hue we should be at sea all night

Fortunately, however, towards half-past eleven o'clock such a favourable breeze began to blow that by four o'clock we had come twenty-two e vesselthe pier, two small boats were rowed out to e were transferred, and at last we landed safely, though exposed to a sharp gale The large vessel stood out to sea five hours longer, till the tide carried it into the harbour So afraid to trust themselves in the small boats, stayed on board, but I followed the exa the whole passage, in order to gazeas there was a calan to blow, rising everyon, I was seized with a little alarm, and a little indisposition likewise But I overca actually ill Most of the passengers were ill, and looked like ghosts I did not feel the fatigue of the journey till I arrived in London, but it took two days before I could recover from it But now I ahty and vast town of London, its various beauties andme the most profound astonishment I immediately paid the necessary visits, such as to the Neapolitan Minister and to our own