The New York herald., 1845-10-16

1
sic, which was the delight and desire of his youth.
Fortunately for the youthful Leopold de Meyer, his
musical genius did not conceal itself among luxury
and foreign occupations. While quite child he had
an extraordinary fondness for the pianoforte, and
was continually playing everything he heard by ear,
after his own fashion and before he had reached
his sixteenth year he had become wonderful as
an amateur performer, that his company was eager
y sought in the most recherchfs salons OF Vienna
AT length his name reached the OF the Empe /.
ror. His majesty having heard that young noble.
man, whose father was attached to the crown, had
obtained, as an amateur pianoorte player, an extra
ordinary success in the drawing-rooms OF the aris-
tocraey of Vienna, expressed desire TO hear him,
and accordingly the young pianist went TO the palace
and performed before their imperial majesties, the
emperor and empress OF Austria, and the court
From this circumstance and from this day we may
date the commencement OF the brilliant career Of
the future great artist For nearly two years he ap-
piled himself to study and practice with the most in
defatgable zeal and industry under Francois Schu-
bert, professor of the Conservatore of Vienna, and
Czerny; and before he was nineteen years Of age
he determined to travel, and create for himself a
name that would bazon farther than the poudest an
cestral banner and iructliy talent that would prove
to HIM dearer source of wealth than the mines of
| Golconda.
OF his introduction at the imperial palace we find
the following anecdote In the Journals o. the day =:
! Some days after the count Witte's arrival at ST
Petersburg, having the honor to dine with their i'm.
perlal majesties, he related that he had journeyed
from Odessa with young planst of extraordinary
/
account, instantly despatched OF her coaches for
Nj. de Meyer determined on hearing him that same
evening at court. He accordingly came to the pa
lace and played his fantasies from themes Som
| na,nbnia and Anna Bolena, which produced an as
tcnlshng effect on every one present. The empress,
after hearing the first m0rcea, rose from her seat
and approaching the piano remained standing behind
the chair during the whole performance, uttering
aloud frequent demonstrations OF surprise and de-
! light.
After this concert Leopold de Meyer received
from the hands of the emperor and empress testi-
monias the most iattering to an artist; tor, at the
diamond ring both from the emperor and empress,
he obtained the nomination by diploma of pianiste
ertraordindire to the Russian court and was enrol
led honorary member Of the Philharmonic Society
| of st. Petersburg.
We may also quote, as referring to this period,
the following quaint anecdote from the Sunday
Times and Musical World:
"Upon the present young Sultan coming to the
throne not only wine was forbidden throughout his
| dominions, but even music +! But the taste for the
magic god has, within the last few years, spread so
rapidly throughout Turkey, that the Sultan's COM
mand has gone forth unheeded. The Turks will
| assuredly never abolish music, however they may
| discountenance wine."
| We can answer for the above. Since the Sultan
made the acquaintance OF the jovial pianist Leopold
de Meyer, he has been music-mad-and many a bot
tie have they quatied together under the rose The
fact Is the Sultan is, at heart bon pivant and boon
companion. He loves good dinner and flask OF
| Rhensh as mnch as the humbest of his SUBJECTS
He loves also, pretty glr[but his taste that way is
one after his own hear-and the first night of their
acquaintance they got "jolly" together. De Meyer
played the Sultan into ecstacles-and bottle after
bottle so raised the spirits of him of call the Tur-
keys" that he fairly threw his arms round De Mey-
er's neck and hugged him. Since then music has
been at a premium in Constantinople-w is in
stdfu qto-women more than ever adored-and in
honor Of Leopold de Meyer, statue will be forth.
-
At every concert perfect Italian f,uore was crea-
ted, the natural phleghmatsm of the Germans ia
ding away before the miraculous powers Of the pi-
anlst. Hitherto he had seldom never played with
out one encore, but the people OF Francfor encored
| hlm twice at every performance.
Leopold de Meyer gave four public concerts in Pa
rls-two at Ersrd's grand saloons, and two at the
| Theatre ltalen. He performed at the monster con-
cert of that wonderful aAd versatile genius Hector
3erlioz, held at the Cirque Oimpigue in the Champs
Elysees, before eight hundred musicians; and in a
place where, from its immensely of size, no other
pianist had ever dreamed OF playing before. An
accident occurred to him on his way this concert
which had nearly put him h0rs dc combat, being
flung from facre, and receiving severe confusion
IN one OF his fingers, which quite lncapactated him
from using it with any effect. But as one Of the
French journalists remarked, alluding to the acc
cent, and his performances immediately subsequent
" M. de Meyer seemed to us to have been able to
such showers Of notes, even from four hands, eci-
ted on the piano, as he produced in his perorman-
ces at Hector Berlioz' concert" Leopold de Meyer
was encored twice at the monster concert, and the
favorite piece, the MdTchc Mdrocaine, which he
played there arranged by Hector Berlioz for his
whole grand orchestra, and performed at the next
concert with tremendous effect. 1t was the first
time M. BerloZ found any modern pianoforte mu-
sic worthy to be transferred into orchestral score.
Wherever he goes Leopold de Meyer per-
torms on no other instrument than one OF Erard's
patent seven octave grand planofortes. He is full
~ justified IN this seection tor II is now universal
IL. l. Il
struments in Europe like them. For beauty of ap-
pearance combined with strength; tor delicacy and
facility OF touch for power and purity OF Tone they
far surpass any pianos we have heard. The two
huge establishments belonging to this house in Paris
and London, we are confidently informed, can
hardly meet the increasing demands for their new
instruments. Leopold de Meyer has sent one of
these, manufactured purposely for himself, before
him to New York.
A foreign fidler to whom the Queen presented
diamond ring, is stated to have sold it Jew for
E3.
The Kcans are said to have made it stipulation
with the southern managers In the United States,
with whom they have concluded engagements that
their line OF characters shall not be played by any
other stars prior to their appearance.
Three of the greatest ornaments Of the British
stage In Its pamy days have been staying at Brgh-
ton tor some time past, namely, Charles kemble,
Charles Young, and Liston. The two former are in
good health, but the latter, we regret to say, is la
OIL from the usual enjoyments Of society, and makes
life at best but burthen.
Miss Ellen Lane, late of the Liverpool Theatre
Royal, makes her debut at Drury Lane Theatre this
evening.
A girl named Elizabeth Millington, ,aged eighteen,
attempted suicide in the pit Of the Adelph Theatre
on Thursday evening, by taking oil OF almonds.
Unrequited love is said to have been the cause
Ireland.
O'Connell was shooting grouse on Kerry Noun
tains.
The Irish Collegiate Bill is again being revived in
all the intensity and vlrulence OF discussion, by
protest, the part of the Irish Catholic Bishops and
Archbishops, against the measure. 1t appears that
seventeen OF these eccesiastlcs are against, and
nine in favor of the bill The former have pub
shed their views to the world, and have thus
shown the divided councils 10 which the new mea-
sure has given birth Amongst the minority is the
Primae, Dr. Crolly, and the Archbishop of Dublin,
Dr Murray. The Government, In the meantime,
nothing daunted, ara taking prompt measures for
the erection OF the semnares and In the cnurse