Page:Rolland - Beethoven, tr. Hull, 1927.pdf/137

Rh "My heart beats in entire concord with the lofty and grand art of Sebastian Bach, that patriarch of harmony (dieses Urvaters der Harmonie.")

"I have always been one of the greatest admirers of Mozart, and I shall remain so until my latest breath."

"I admire your works above all other pieces for the theatre. I am in ecstasy each time I hear a new work by you, and I take more interest in them than in my own. In brief, I admire you and I love you You will always remain the one I esteem most amongst all my contemporaries. If you wish to give me an extreme pleasure do write me a few lines. That would give me great satisfaction. Art unites everybody, how much more true artists, and perhaps you will consider me also worthy of being counted one of this number."

(The words in italics are in French in the original with some defective spelling. This letter to Cherubini was not answered.)