The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-11

4
reeoHect What were they After listening to seyera
pieces you very cody advised continue my studies
sna 70 Pefsevere in my discrimination to become mu
sician Professor how could you be cruel lou told
me that melody and imagination a5undantly mani
Tested in the score, and these you considered sufficient
guarantees for the future Development Of my musical
talent. This my dear Fischof the bitteest hat
you could possibly have administered to the overweenn
vanity OF mere boy
Let me confess to you that, for the moment disap
pointmeht oyermastered me- ! was indeed sadly hurt
My expectation had been that you would have hailed mt
genius. had supposed that you would have beer
thunderstruck discover what enormous taient hai
suddenly come to light. In my daydreams had seer
per parcel hurryng off to the administration Of the In
perAl Opera. Nay, in my fancy had listened to y,v
while urging its immediate performance.
II Is needless To say that left my opera for mo-
pressed.
Resolved however, not to abandon nv chance of i'm
mortality, hurried of to Doctor gnaz Jeittees the
celebrated professor OF aesthetics and with less modesty
than that which had been displayed towards YOU laid
the score before him. My request and sooth to
i was made, II my memory serves me- in remarkably
determined manner, that he would use his influence
es a ns
be IN all probability ascerained that could not be easily
dismissed He therefore requested me to leave my
with him and n return in few days
The minutes and seconds of those few days wer
eagerly counted by They seemed to be SO many cen
turtles On the appointed day accordngy presented my
81 have SENT said the worthy Doctor, syour opera to
our Maestro. the Chevaer seyfried who, you know
We'll p' was my answer, ''and the result. p,
He gave his opinion in writing upon its merits Shall
| read it 10 you ~
s'Most certainly ~
"Ihen listen p Here he took out letter, unfolded IT,
aud began reading The opera which you have sent
me has, after its perusa actually me feel forty
years younger
Here jumped up in perfect ecstasy, and completely
ironical smile on his intellectual features asked me
whether would listen to any more2
YES yes! continue by all means, my dearest Doc
tor ~ Istammered out.
Because, forty years since, unfortunately in
the habit OF writing just such nonsense this opera s'
me. l sunk back into my chair, like an automaton,
whose wheels and wa.ch-springs have done their APP
pointed labor
''wi you hear the remniuderr' asked the professor
"No This is more than enough
Never mind what he has said" continued Dr. Jeit-
hid my face in my hands.
Take courage, and be attentive to what follows y
and then, resuming the letter. he thus continued
played in portions of 1t, together with such
u plentiful supply Of melody that it may be per
were to begin his theoretical studies anew he might in
some two years, become accomplished maestro and
such, would promise well for the future In such case
should not be altogether disncned to take charge of
his musical education myself"
Mute with disappointment, all my hopes had vanished
All the pictures Of fame and honors mot yet had be-
gan to think of money my OH friend) which my imay
nation bad painted, were at dissolved All the
had melted into the nnsubstantial heavens.
Old Dr. Jetteles, however, viewed the aair in widely
different light He assured me that this reply from sey
fried, seemed to him iattering enough.
'fattering snoughP' groaned with IN involuntary
echo.
For his part he had not expected half as compmenta-
ry answer.
. Half as complimentary =" Was the kind-hearted old
wretch not adding positive insult TO injury
honorable offer which the Chevaer had implied the
conclusion of his letter. and to obtain permission from
Leaving the doctor, went homeward, however,
with the resolution TO abandon the profession Of my
anything else to which might please my parents call
Old as was, do not fee ashamed 10 say, that,
'L night my feelings sobbed themselves to silence upon
t determination 1t evident that, yet, although
child.
But with the following dawn Fschof when arose
and dressed myself all things had changed to my per-
ception What it was, know not Certain is it that
had not dreamed yet my first waking reflections were
widely different from those under whose influence sum
BIER had come upon me.
Cool thought treated my childish presumption now at
Returning again to you, begged your interference
with my parents and through your ntercession it.,
ignorance Of music being placed under the tuition Of the
Cheyalier. With what ardor and perseverance worked
under his guidance and how some time Afterwards
opera was actually produced by me- with than the
mere generally awarded by public courtesy to
first production is known 10 you and most Of coun
trymen who understand and relish music. What Ger
man is there that does not do SOL
Sixteen years have parsed me since that period,
and although again tell you how thankful was and
for Kindness the thought has occasionally passed
through my mind whether it would not have been better
for me TO become either doctor or lawyer
Had my fathers will made me the first perchance my
imaginative faculty migst have developed itself In
unvers medcamcnt, good for all kinds of diseases,
and very wholesome to healthy persons like Dr. Dai.
have been millionaire like Professor Holloway, Of Lon
don, have emulaed the gories of DR. Townships paa
tial mansion in own Fifth avenue.
OF the condition and prospects of musical science
in this country when he first came here in ls4S the
author gives very depreciatory but amusing ac-
count We have been 30 mixed up with the efforts
made to reform the discreditable state of things
which he describes that we may be excused for
quoting at some length the testimony Of so compe
tent an authority on the subject
The musical institutions which at this period to
be found in New York, consisted Of philharmonic
ciey and Italian OPERA and the majority of the
bers of the first Of these considerably addict
cd to the enjoyment the creature comforts than they
to the cultivation Of harmony Their object
rather to make few dollars by the annual subscription
for four concerts than to elevate the popular taste A.
for the propagation OF liking for classical music this
never even thought Of.
Indeed, their repertoire consisted always of the same
few symphonies works Of the old composers in divine
science which everybody has heard although but few
have comprehended, since childhood.
The compositions of modern mGes,yi had never even
been put In rehearsal Consequently they could not be
produced But pardon overture Of yours there
was, 'Lss francs jxges," Il remember rightly, which
had been proposed for performance. 1t accordingly
placed in rehearsal but after few repettons withdrawn
and condemned This enlightened society declared that
It nonsense Console yourself, my dear Berlios,
try another--study downward and write in the same
manner With time and perseverance, you may succeed
in lowering your musical genius 70 the level Of the
musical comprehension Of the Philharmonic Society
Of New York. Perhaps ought to tell you that the Pre-
sdent Of this body u Mr. Trims, who can scarcely be
considered actively responsible for all Of their harmonic
sins. He il good and thorough musician but alto
gehcr far too modest well great lover Of peace
7you will say that this il snguary unlike musician
for the position which he holds He has the talent and
capacity but completely lacks the energy to make OF the
Philharmonic society that which philharmonic society
ought to be, or at the least to attempt being.
The other musical institution which then existed In
New York, was, ~ have previously mentioned tho
Italian opera. Ny connection with music in the New
World commenced with this-an establishment whose
failure had fourished for the last five and t~enty
years.
An involuntary smile curls your lip. You inquire
how I" failure - can Z" flourish ~
My dear Beroz, you were born and have been edu-
Gated in the Old World. This accounts to for your
smile You have yet much to learn you win be able