LISZT, FRANZ. (1811-1886). Hungarian-born composer and pianist. ALS. (“F. Liszt”). 1p. 8vo. Weimar, September 25, N.y. (To “Her Royal Highness Madam the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Saxony,” MARIA PAVLOVNA, 1786-1859). In French with translation.

“My excursion to Arnstadt, yesterday, where I had promised to go and hear Bach’s organ... lately, has made me catch such a big cold that I am hardly presentable today. Your Royal Highness will deign to indulge her most humble and most respectfully grateful servant…”

Liszt achieved stardom as a piano virtuoso while touring Europe during the 1830s and 1840s, initiating a phenomenon known as “Lisztomania.” After deciding to concentrate on composition, Liszt settled in Weimar in 1848, where he was appointed Kapellmeister Extraordinaire thanks to the patronage of the Russian Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, the recipient of our letter and the daughter of Russian Emperor Paul I, who, through her marriage to Hereditary Grand Duke Charles Frederick of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, was also a duchess of Saxony. Herself a pianist, she was admired and praised for her talents and intellect by the German poets Goethe and Schiller, who dedicated one of his last poems to her. Liszt transcribed Bach’s Preludes and Fugues for organ between 1842-1850.

Our letter regards Liszt’s recent trip to the Thuringian town of Arnstadt, home to the church where, in 1703, a young Bach was appointed organist. Liszt had a complex relationship to Bach’s music, praising some works and dismissing others, including Bach’s organ music. For a detailed analysis, see, www.americanbachsociety.org/Newsletters/BachNotes04.pdf.

With the original hand-addressed envelope. Folded and in very fine condition.