Franz Liszt - Letter to Heinrich Brockhaus

Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Franz Liszt - Letter to Heinrich Brockhaus -- Bookseller in Leipzig. On the issue of erroneous titles, false attributions and hyped up diplomas:

My dear Mr. Brockhaus,
In thanking you for your kind mention of the notice of the inclusion of my name in the Conversations Lexikon, I wish above all things not to go beyond the limits of most scrupulous delicacy, which in these sorts of things have always appeared to me all the more desirable to maintain because they are so very often passed. Consequently, I will only allow myself to point out three misstatements of fact in the article about myself: firstly, my supposed title of ex-St. Simonien; secondly, my supposed journey to America; thirdly, my diploma of the University of Konigsberg, which my biographer arbitrarily changes into a diploma of Doctor of Music, which was not the one given to me.

I have never had the honor of belonging to the association, or, to put it better, to the religious and political family of St. Simonisme. Notwithstanding my personal sympathy with this or that member of it, my zeal has been but little beyond that which Heine, Boerne, and twenty others whose names are in the Conversations Lexikon showed at the same period, and they limited themselves to following pretty often the eloquent preachings of the Salle Taitbout. Among my numerous tailors' bills, I can certify that there is not one to be found of a bleu-barbot coat (The dress of the St. Simonists.); and, as I have mentioned Heine, I ought to add that my fervor was far short of his, for I never thought of wishing to "Commune through space with the Child-like Father," by correspondence or dedication, as he has done!

Further, I can also assure you that my practical course of the geography of Europe has not extended beyond it and that the four or five other parts of the globe are entirely unknown to me. And when you come to see me at Weymar I can show you, amongst other diplomas, that of the University of Konigsberg, in virtue of which I have the honor to belong, exceptionally, to the class of Doctors in Philosophy, an honor for which I have always been peculiarly grateful to this illustrious University.

As to the summary judgment passed upon my person and my works in this article, you will easily understand that I only accept it as transitory and with due reserve, much obliged though I am besides to the author for his kind intentions. After having attained, according to my biographer, the first aim of my youth,—that of being called the Paganini of the Piano,-it seems to me it is natural that I should seriously have the ambition of bearing my own name, and that I should count somewhat on the results of a desire and of persevering work, so far as to hope that in one of the later editions of the Conversations Lexikon I may have a place more in accordance with my aims.

Accept, my dear Mr. Brockhaus, the expression of my most sincere regard, and believe me. 

Yours very truly,
F. Liszt, Weymar March 22nd, 1853