Butte record., 1856-03-22


toward us as we entered.
Pardon me- sad Beethoven, some
what embarrassed. pardon me, but
but I heard music, and | yentured to
enter. am a musician
The young girl blushed, while the
Young man assumed a severe and an al
most angry air.
4 overheard some words, continued
my friend, you wished to hcar-tLat
is, You would like-in short, DO you
wish me to play for you?'
There was something so strange, so
unusual and abrupt in the whole affair
and something at the same time so
pleasing and eccentric in the manner
Of the speaker, That the ice was bro
ken in a moment, and both smiled In
voluntarily.
4 thank you,' said the shoemaker,
'but our instrument IS very poor, and
we have no notes.
NO notes repeated my friend, 'how
then did this young lady play
He stopped and blashed, for the
young girl turned her face toward him
and he saw III 4 moment that she was
bind.
I-beg YOU to excuse me- he
stamncred-'l did not see at first
you play tAen from memory
Entirely
But where have YOU learned this
music, since you do not attend con-
certs!'
4 heard a lady play it when we liv-
cd at Bruhl two years since. In the
summer evenings her windows We're
always open, and used to walk be-
fore the house and listen.
And have you never heard any
other musicP
Never, except tie music in the
Streets
Beethoven without aging more seat
ed himself quietly at the harpsichord
and began to play. lie had hardly
touched the first notes when | OWNED
what would follow, and how sublime
he was to be on this evening. l was
not deceived. Never, never, during
all the years that | had known him in
timately, did | hear him play as he
played for the young blind girl and
her brother! Never had l heard such
energy, such passionate Tenderness,
such Infinite gradula,ions Of melody
and meditation. lie was truly III
spired.
We sat breatAlessly listening. The
Brother and sister were mute with as
tonishmcnt. The first laid aside his
work; the second, her head slightly
bent forward, approached the inatlu-
ment, and pressed both hands against
her breast,as if she feared tlat the pal
pitations Of her heart would interrupt
accents of such magic sweetness. TIL
seemed as if we were the sport Of some
strange dream, and our fear was lest
We should wake too soon.
Suddenly the flame Of the only can
die fickered; the wick fell and was
extinguishcd. Beethoven stopped. |
opened the shutter to let the rays of
the moon enter. The apartment was
almost as light as before, and the moon
light fell brightly upon the musi-
cian and the harpsichord. But this
accident seemed to have broken the
chain Of Bcthovcn's ideas; his head in
clined Itself upon his breast; both
hands rested on lis lnees; he appear
cd plunged in profound meditation.
lie remained thus some time. At
length the young shoemaker approach
ed lin, and said IN a low and respect
ful voice:
Most wonderful man. Who then
are you'
Beethoven raised his head and look
ed at him with an absent air, as # bel
did not understand the meaning Of his
words. The shoemaker repeated his
question.
The composer smiled, as he alone
knew how to smile, with sweetness
and graciousness almost regal.
'Listen,' said he, and he played the
first measures Of the symphony in F. |
A cry of joy escaped from the lips
of the brother and sister; they recog- |
nizcd him and cried: you are then
Beethoven and they covered his hands |
with kisses and tears.
lie rose to depart, but our entrea-
ties succeeded in restraining him.
Play for us once more, only oncen
He permitted himself to be led back
towards the instrument. The moon
light entered brilliantly through the !
uncurtained window, and Illuminated
his serene and massive brow.
I'm going to improvise a SONATA to
the moonlight said he in a jesting air.
He contemplated for moment thel
heavens strewn with stars, he placed
his fingers upon the harpsichord, and
began to play in low, sad, but inf
nitely sweet tone. The melody came