San Andreas independent., 1856-10-04

yelled eyes he saw that she was bind
CT entreat you to pardon me, stam-
mered he; "but did not remark at first
You play them from memory"
Entirely"
heard lady who was neighbor at
Bruhl, two years ago. During the sum-
mor evenings her window was always open,
and [ walked before the house to hear her. "
"And you have never heard any other
music?"
"Never, excepting the music in the
streets"
She seemed frightened; SO Beethoven
did not add another word but quietly seated
himself at the instrument, and commenced
to play. He had not touched many notes
when | guessed what would follow, and |
was not deceived. Never, never, during
the many years / knew him, did [ hear
him play as on this day for the young blind
girl and brother. Never did l hear such
energy, such passionate tenderness, such
gradations of melody and modulation.-
From the momeut his fingers commenced
to move over the piano, the tones of the
instrument seemed to soften and become
more equal.
We remained sitting, listening to him
breathlessly. The brother and sister were
dumb with astonishment, as if paralyzed.
The former had laid aside his work the
latter, her head slightly inclined, had ap-
preached the instrument; her two hands
were elapsed on her breast, as if she feared
! hn of
those accents of magic sweetness. It
seemed as if we were the subjects of
strange dream and our only fear was to
wake too soon
Suddenly the flame of the solitary can
die fickered, the wick, consumed to the
end, fell and was extinguished. Beethoven
stopped; [ opened the shutters to let in
the rays of the moon. 1t became also as
light as before in the room, and the radi-
ance fell more strongly on the musician
and the instrument.
But this incident seemed to have broken
the chain of Beethoven ideas His head
dropped on his breast, his hands rested on
his knees, he appeared plunged intoa pro-
ound meditation.
He remained so for some time. At last
the young shoemaker rose, approached him,
and said, in low, respectful voice, "Won-
derful man, who are you then 2"
Beethoven raised his head, and looked
at him abstractedly, as if he had not COM
pretended the meaning Of his words.
The young man repeated the question.
The composer smiled as only he could
smile, such sweetness and kingly benevo-
lence.
" Listen" said he And he played the
first movement in the F symphony
A cry of joy escaped from the lips of the
brother and sister. They recognized him,
and cried with emotion, 6 You are, then,
Beethoven"
He rose to go, but our entreaties sue
ceeded in detaining him.
Play to us once more, just once more. !"
He allowed himself to be led to the in
strument. The brilliant light of the moon
entered the curtainless window, and lighted
up his expansive, earnest forehead.
am going to improvise soma to the
moonlight" said he playfully. He con-
templated for some minutes the sky
sprinkled with stars then his fingers rest
on the piano, and he commenced to play
in low, sad, but wondrously sweet strain
\ The harmony issued from the instrument,
sweet and even as the rays of the moon
] spread over the shadows on the ground.
This delicious overture was followed by a
piece in triple time, lively, light, capri
cious, sort of intermediate burlesque,
ike dance of fairies at midnight on the
grass. Then came rapid agitato finale
Ia breathless movement, trembling, hur-
rying, describing flight and uncertainty,
inspiring vague and instructive terror,
: which bore us onWards on its shudderine
: wings, and left us at last quite agitated
with surprise and moved to tears
"Adieu, said Beethoven, abruptly
!, pushing back his chair and advancing to
i the door Adieu!"
Wou will come again ?" asked both at
vne time.
Nopped and regarded the young
Il with an air Of compassion
Aves," said he hurriedly, I will
nd give some lessons to Mad
s,ll; | will seon cosue
door a silence,
and remained
i'll we were
d Beethovq
aals