Austrian composer and pianist Franz Liszt was a prolific composer and letter writer. Known as one of the nineteenth century’s most civilized figures, he seemed to express genuine concern for others. In a letter to Carl Czerny, he expressed his regret over failing to show gratitude he believed he owed his mentor, a man he referred to as “my dear Master.”
“When I think of all the immense obligations under which I am placed towards you, and at the same time consider how long I have left you without a sign of remembrance, I am perfectly ashamed and miserable, and in despair of ever being forgiven by you! ‘Yes,’ I said to myself with a deep feeling of bitterness, ‘I am an ungrateful fellow; I have forgotten my benefactor, I have forgotten that good master to whom I owe both my talent and my success.’"*
Take your cue from Franz. You don’t have to be as verbose or flowery, but you should consider thanking those who cared both for and about you.
*Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 1, "From Paris to Rome: Years of
Travel as a Virtuoso" by Franz Liszt; letters collected by La Mara and translated by Constance Bache. Online at http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3689/pg3689-images.html
“When I think of all the immense obligations under which I am placed towards you, and at the same time consider how long I have left you without a sign of remembrance, I am perfectly ashamed and miserable, and in despair of ever being forgiven by you! ‘Yes,’ I said to myself with a deep feeling of bitterness, ‘I am an ungrateful fellow; I have forgotten my benefactor, I have forgotten that good master to whom I owe both my talent and my success.’"*
Take your cue from Franz. You don’t have to be as verbose or flowery, but you should consider thanking those who cared both for and about you.
*Letters of Franz Liszt, Volume 1, "From Paris to Rome: Years of
Travel as a Virtuoso" by Franz Liszt; letters collected by La Mara and translated by Constance Bache. Online at http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3689/pg3689-images.html
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