Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-07-21
From the "Reminiscences of Michael bel
A Vistffo Mozart.

went one evening 10 a concert OF tue e. l.
eorated Kozeluch's great composer fof .i'e
piano. forte, a. well as fine performer on That
instrument saw there the composers v ann All
and Barron Dittersdorf ; and. what was 70
me one Of the greatest qualifications oil my mu
steal life was here Introduced In that prodigy
of genius Mozart. He favored the company
by performing fantasies and csPricios on the pr
anoforte. HIS feeling the rapidry OF his mn
gers. the great execution and strength OF MS
left hand particularly, and the apparent lnsPl
ration of his modnations astoolshed me AL
ter This splendid performance we sal down 70
supper. and had the pleasure to he piaced
at table between him and his wife, Madame
Constance Weber. German lady. OF whom
he was passionately fond, and by whom he had
three children. He conversed with MS a good
deal about Thomas Liney, the first Mrs Sher'
idan's brothe .. with whom he was intimate at
Florence, and spoke Of him with great aztec
ton He said that Lnley was true genius;
and he felt that had he lived he would have
been one Of the greatest ornaments oil the musl'
cal world. After supper the young branches
Of our host he'd a dance end Mozart joined
them. Madam Moz4tt told me, that great as
his genius vas, he was enthusiast IN dane
ing, and often said that his taste lay IN that art,
rather than In music.
lie WAS a remarkably small man, very thin
aud pale, with proiusion Of fine hair, OF
which he WIS rather vain. He gave me
cordial invitation to his bouse of which | avail.
cd myself and passed great part of my time
there. He always received me witt kindness
and hospitality. He was remarkably fond OF
punch, Of which beverage | hive seen him
lake copious draughts. He was $50 fond OF
billiards and had an excellent billiard table in
his house. Many and many game have
played with him. but always came off second
best. lie gave Sunday concerts, at which
never missing. He was kind hearted and
always ready TO oblige but so very partlcu-
lar, when he played, that if The sIighles noise
were made instantly left off. He one DAY
made me SIT down to the piano. and give Gle.
dit to my first master, who had taught me to
place my hand well on the instrument. He
conferred on me What | considered high con-
pllmeht. | had composed little melody to
Metastasio's caozoneta, "Graeie agP inganna
tuoi which was a great favorite wherever
sang it. 1t was very simple, but had the good
fortune 10 pl, ase Mozart He took it and
composed variations upon it which were truly
be utiful and had the kindness and conde
sconsion to play them whenever he had an op.
pOftdn3lY.
Encouraged by his Hartering appreciation.
| attempted several little airs, which | showed
him, and which he kindly approved of; so
much, indeed, that determined to devote my
self to the study Of Counterpart, and consulted
with him, by whom | ought to he instructed
He said" My good lad, you ask my advice,
and | will give it to you candidly; had you
studied composition when you were at Naples
| apJ b.,p 81 I'll
pursuits, you would perhaps have done wisely
but now that your profession Of the stage IN ust,
and ought, TO occupy all your attention, it
would be an unwise measure to enter into
dry study. You may take my word for it
Nature has made you a melodIst, and you
would Only disturb and perplex yourself -
Reflect, "a little knowled ge is dangerous
thing'-should there be errors in what you
write, you will fad hundreds of musicians, in
all parts of the world, capable of correcting
them therefore do not disturb your natural
| gift"
"Melodyis the essence of music" continued
he-'l compare good melodist to a fine racer
and counterpolntst TO hack post horses; there
fore be advised, let well alone and remember
the old Italian proverb-'Chi sa piu, memo sa
Who knows most, knows least The opin
ion OF this great man made on me lasting i'm
prt ssion.
M5 friend Atwood "a worthy man, and an
ornament TO the musical world) was Mozart's
taTorlte scholar, and it gives me great pleas
ure TO record what Mozart said to me about
hlm; his words were, "Attwood is young
man for whom have sincere affection aud
esteem; he conducts himself with great propri-
ETY., and feel much pleasure in telling you
that he partakes more Of my style than any
other scholar ever had ; and predict that he
will prove sound musician" Mozart was
ve"y liberal in giving praise to those who de
served 1t but he fsIta thorough contempt for
insoent mediocrity.
SPECIMENS OF YOUR WORK.