New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-07

bert London Henry colborn. Publisher. ls4l.
This book bears on its outside the title, Life of
Beethoven, by Moscheles. 1t is really only a
translation of Schindlcrs, and it seems quite un-
fair to bring Moscheles so much into the fore
ground merely because his name is celebrated in
England. He has only contributed few notes
and short introduction, giving most pleasing
account of his own devotion to the Mas,cr.-
SCHNEIDER was the trusty friend of Beethoven,
and one whom he, himself, selected to write his
biography Inadequate asi is, there is that
fidelity in the collection of materials which makes
it serviceble to our knowledge OF Beethoven and
we wish itmight be reprinted here,-though there
is little knowledge Of music here, vet, so far as
any exists in company with free Development
of mind, the music of Beethoven is the music
which delights, which awakens, which inspires
ON infinite hope.
This influence of most the profound, bold, origi-
nal, and singular compositions, even upon the uni
tinted, above those of simpler construction and
more obvious charms, we have observed with
great pleasure. For we think its cause lies deep,
far beneath fancy, taste, fashion, or any accden-
tai cause.
1t is because there is rea and steady unfold
ing of certain thoughts which pervades the civiiz-
ed world. 1t strikes its roots through to us, be-
meath the broad Atlantic, and those roots shoot
upwards stems 10 the light wherever the soil al
lows them free course.
Our era which permits Of freer inquiry, of boil
der experiment than ever before, and on firmer
broader basis may also, we firmly trust be de-
pended on for nobler discovery, and grander
scope of thought.
Although we sympathize with the sadness Of
those who lament the decay Of forms and methods
round which so many associations had wound
their endris, and understand the sutierings which
gentle, tender natures undergo from the for
lorn homelessness of period of doubt, specu-
laton, reconstruction in every way, yet we cam
not disjon ourselves, by one moments fear or re-
gret, from the advanced corps That body, leagued
by an invisible tie, have received too deep an as
surance that the Spirit is not dead nor sleeping, to
look back to the pastif they had TO advance uni
formly through scenes Of decay and the rubbish
Of falling edhces.
But how far it is from being so! How many
developements in various ways OF Truth How
manifold the aspirations of Love. In the church
the attempt is now 10 reconstruct on the basis pro-
posed by its founder, Love one another in
the philosophy OF mind, if completeness of system
is, as yet, far from being attained, yet mistakes
and vain dogmas are set aside and examination
conducted with intelligence and an enlarged dis
cernment of what is due, both 10 God and man.
Science advances. in some routes with colossal
strides new glimpses are daily gained into the
arcana of natural history, and the mysteries attend.
ant ON the modes of growth are laid open to our
observation while in chemistry, electricity, mag
netism, we seem 10 be getting nearer 10 the law
of life which governs them, and in astronomy
"fathoming the Heavens" (to use the sublime en-
preston of Herschel) daily to greater depths, we
find ourselves admitted TO a perception OF univer-
allaws and causes where harmony, permanence,
and perfection leave us no excuse for moment
of. dspondency, while under the guidance Of n
Power who has ordered all so we'll
Then, if the other arts suffer tempory para
lysis, and Notwithstanding the many proofs of tai
ent and genius, we consider that this is the case
with architecture, painting and sculpture, music
is not only thoroughly vital, but in state of rapid
development. The las, hundred years have wit
messed succession of triumphs in this art, the
removal of obstructons, the transcending OF linn
its and the opening new realms OF thought to an
extent that makes the intnity OF promise and
hope very present with us. And take notice that
the prominent means of excellence now are not
in those ways which give form TO thoughts al
ready existent, but which open new realms TO
thought. Those who live most with the life of
their age, feel that it is one not only beautiful,
positive, full of suggestion, bu, vast, flowing of
now, and from electricity and music we borrow
the best illustrations of what we know
Let no one doubt that these grand efforts at
synthesis are capable of as stric, analysis Indeed
it is wonderful with what celebrity and precision
the one process follows up the other.
or this grea, life which has risen from the stalk
and the leaf into bud, and will, in the course Of
this age. be in full flower, Beethoven is the las,
and creates, exponent. His music is feltby every
soul whom il affects to be the explanation of the
past, and the prophecy of the future. l,contaiSs
the thoughts of the time A dynasty of great
men preceded him, each of whom made conqnests
and accumulated treasures which prepared the
way Tor his successor. Bach, Handel, Haydn
Mozart, were corncr.stones OF the glorious temple
Who shall succeed Beethovenl A host of mu-
sicians full of talent, even of genius, live now he
is dead, but the creates, among them is confessed
by oil men to be bu, of Lilliputian size compared
with this demi-god. Indeed, it should be 50 =
As copous draughts of soul have been given to the
earth as she can quaff for century or more
Disciples and critics must follow to gather up the
gleanings of the golden grain.