Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/124

 •- HISTURY OF MENDELSSOHN'S "ELIJAH."

'tha wcrk.ir»}^e]f on such an occasion, if I can come to London in April next. I hope and trust that I may have that pleasure, and that nothing may prevent me from doing so. But I am still doubtful, and cannot give a positive promise as far as regards my coming over ; and as for the parts which you wish to have as soon as possible, I shall speak to the Editor [publisher] of them, Mr. Buxton, who, I hear, is expected shortly in Leipzig, and will ask him to let you have them as soon as they can be ready.

"With many thanks to yourself and the Society, believe me, dear Sir, your very obedient servant,

" Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy."

Before the receipt of the Sacred Harmonic Society's invitation, Mendelssohn must have begun the work of revision, as the following letter to Bartholomew (dated exactly a month after the Birmingham performance) will show: —

\\Vritt6n in English, and on a sheet of music-paper.]

" Leipzig, September 26, 1846.

" Dear Mr. Bartholomew, — Many thanks for your new alterations which you made to meet my wishes. I decidedly prefer the second version of the beginning of No. 41 : * But the Lord from the north hath raised one!' (this is very good), but at the last bar before the Andante I cannot approve of —

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