How favorable the time was for the enterprise to which I had been called—I must put it that way, since the impulse for the decision had come from outside—is something that I could call a number of witnesses to testify to. The task of doing justice to so many artists and performances, and to make one's best effort to educate the public about them, was no small one: at the same time it was the strongest incentive for the undertaking. Of all those named up until this point, there was no question that Spontini stood out, not only because of his artistic significance, but also because it was importance to arrive at a proper evaluation amidst the back and forth of partisan bickering. Next to him Beethoven was in the foreground. Just as he, as the last of the great composers, stood far beyond all contemporaries in terms of purity and majesty of artistry, to that same degree the times, and in particular, Berlin, were far from being able to properly value both him and his ideas. Publicly, up to that point only E.T.A. Hoffmann and A. Wendt had done so with expression and clear insight. To communicate regarding Beethoven was an important task for the journal.

In this connection something peculiar came to light. Looking around for items for criticism, I happened upon the Scottish songs. The publisher gave them to me. I was astounded at the wealth to be found in these three small volumes, and was tireless in referring to them repeatedly. Bewildered, the publisher asked me whether I was serious that the songs really were valuable? I emphatically attested to this, and the surprise of the old gentleman veered toward the most vehement aggravation, for up to that point there had been so little demand for the item, which he had paid dearly for, that the publisher had had the plates melted down. Thank God, that has changed.

With equal vigor I spoke in favor of the first volumes of ballades and songs by Löwe. I had recommended the composer, who had remained unknown until then, to Schlesinger, and thus provided him an entry in the world, often so difficult to achieve.