Description
21 June, 1874, excusing his tardy reply, explaining that is prevented by a thousand obligations from doing those things he would rather do, namely writing to his friends and composing; Liszt also thanks him for the volume he has sent him, and compliments him on his observations on the songs, particularly regarding "Am Rhein" and "Über allen Gipfeln", which have touched the core of his being and which persuade him that, despite his feeble talent, he does not offer a bad path for others to ascend so that they might shine more brightly ("Vous avez trouvé quelques accents sympathiques dans mes Lieder, et les relevez avec un sens poétique et d'une finesse d'observation musicale et psychologique des plus rares"), 3 pages, 8vo, (17.5 x 11cm.), Villa d'Este, 21 June 1874, some browning along folds
Footnote
Note: In this letter Liszt mentions the setting of one of the most perfect lyrics in the German language, Goethe's "Über allen Gipfeln".