ALS in French, signed “F. Liszt,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, January 24, 1882. In full (translated): “Your satisfaction about my little orchestra work pleases me a lot. Yes I told you the Mazurka will be placed right, by way of No. 2, between the two Galician dances (re, and sol). It is a charming piece, to which success the Encore returns, if some smug (and they can be found everywhere) do not get scandalized from the stubborn Bass [musical notes] and that these two drummers do not prove to be bad bass drum bastards.....To treat kettledrums as a percussion instruments, lacking precise scale, accounts among the most awful use and abuse, unfortunately too frequent. The day after tomorrow Friedheim will have his copy finished that I will send you right away. Concerning my autograph scrawl that you were kind to ask, I gave it to Friedheim, but I will ask him to give it to you. In the copy, changes and additions, account for of course that I have again lengthened them a little. My particella is all finished. Friedheim is copying it, it will not give him much difficulty, because I have omitted with deliberate intention Flutes, Trumpets, and Trombones. In that way, 10 lines,—and sometimes even 6—are sufficient to the thing and to its orchestral colors. I would have also gladly done without kettledrums, but they seem necessary to me; only I wish that the kettledrum player is not reduced to the good usual old skins with no distinct sonority from re and la for the edition execution. Add to this again metronomes and nuances, according to your convenience. Lets not get burdened with editor. Simon can apply savings as he pleases according to his business state. When you will have had your Polish Dances executed, orchestrated, you will write me. I am returning to Budapest Saturday, and will be there until April.” He adds a postscript, “Say hello for me to Franz Servais,” and in the margin he adds, “Your idea to transcribe for piano with 2 hands my orchestral transcription of you Polish Dances, pleases me strangely. You will succeed wonderfully.” In fine condition, with light toning to one edge, and four small bits of old tape at the corners, affecting nothing. A wonderful, lengthy letter replete with musical content.
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