The Shasta courier., 1859-05-21
Mozart at Court

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The following interesting episode in the ca
reer of the great composer, Wolfgang Mozart,
which occurred when he was child, we find in
the N. Y. Musical Reviear, translated from the
German of Rad. 1t will repay perusal:
The apartments of the Queen, at Versailles,
were open. They formed series of fifteen large
saloons, which were lighted by more than sew
enteen hundred candles shining from candele-
bras and chandeliers wrought in the most artis-
tic style, and shedding their light upon the finest
works of sculpture and painting, upon vases,
clocks tapestries of the most elegant and costly
character Moreover, all these luxuries were
multiplied by immense and most beautiful mir
rors in gilt frames, which covered the walls
And yet these private rooms of the Queen
might have been called simple, compared with
those occupied by the Marchioness of Pompa-
dour, just as the appearance of the Queen her
self, surrounded by the princesses in the above
apartments, compared with that of the Marchio-
ness, covered with diamonds, and surrounded by
the ministers and high dignitaries of the coun-
try, who looked and acted like the real Queen :;
while the latter, Maria of France, the unhappy
daughter of Stanislaus Hcszinsky, seemed to be
cast down, but resigned
The King had not yet made his appearance;
and the Marchioness, as we'll as her aristocratic
minions, INDUCED in that frivolous but intelec-
time. But even when the worn out King came
into the apartment and talked according to the
court ceremonial for quarter of an hour to the
Queen, the spiteful Marchioness continued the
conversation to the terror OF all present, but
showing by this the immense influence she ex-
ercised over the broken spirit of Louis Ky.
AT last the conversation became general, and
the King sat down at the cardtable, giving at the
same time orders to let the Mozarts, who were
| H.
pearance.
The children commenced playing a very diff
cult and brilliant duo, and although they did
this as usual, in a very superior manner, nobody
listened to them but the Queen, the Princess
Nine Victoire, and Countess Tesse. Such re-
ception they certainly had not expected. Nam
mel felt the tears start in his eyes, and Wolfgang
was SO indignant that none but Mime Vctoire
had found a word of encouragement for them,
that he said to his father
Come, papa, let US go; they do not under
stand music"
The vice conductor tried in vain to calm the
Indignation of the little virtuoso who found him.
self hurt in that which was dearest to him, his
pride as an artist.
/ Well" said at last the father, let us go ;
but you do not know what the world will say
The Mozarts did not succeed at the court of
Versailles IfIwas in your place, would play
once more, and force, by the beauty of my per-
formance, the King as well as the whole court to
listen to me-"
"You are rightr' exclaimed the boy, with
frightened eyes, and at once went up to the
King. saying:
"Will your Majesty give me theme upon
which | can improvise ?"
Louis surprised, looked up at the sound of the
child voice. He had really forgotten what was
going on around him.
"AhW he said, the children; what does the
boy want? ?"
Madame Adelaide translated the wish of
Wofgang.
"With pleasure" answered the King, giving
him theme from an opera of Lully, at the time
very popular.
Wolfgang bowed in a very becoming manner,
and went back to the piano.
The King could not help looking after the lit
tie fellow, and although he resumed lis card
playing, yet he listened to the boys perform
ance. But suddenly he threw the cards upon
! the table, and rose with the greatest surprise in
his countenance.
The court followed, and soon was Wolfgang
Mozart surrounded by the heads and chief dig
nitaries of one of the most powerful empires
of Europe.
The little virtuoso felt his heart-blood stirred
/ by the approach of all these people, and he
reused himself to do his utmost-his very best.
The King drew several times his hands over
his face and forehead in order to satisfy himself
| that he was not dreaming. The Queens eyes
became wet, and Madame Victoire, herself
virtuoso on the piano, could scarcely repress her
astonishment and admiration. All these people,
a Pompadour, Soubse included, felt moved as
they had never been before. Something unusual
occurred to them; the invisible power of the
great and beautiful took hold of them and ele-
~ ted hipha oh fho J,,ct of tr;,-
They felt themselves, at least for few minutes.
different and better.
Wolfgang had finished A loud bravo of
the King gave the signal to general, and, at
this court, very unusual applause, and Madame
VIotoire, the favorte daughter of Louis XIV, hur-
ried to the little artist covering him with kisses
and caresses.
Meanwhile, the King had approached Mime
de Pompadour, in order to express to her his de-
light with the performance just heard, and the
Marchioness was therefore induced to order the
boy to be brought to her, which was, of course,
! Immediately accomplished.
"a little fellow" she said, with a curl of her
lip, "but genius. Do place him before me
upon table"
This was done; and as she smiled upon him
most condescendingly, Wolfgang bowed over to
her, in order, as was his way, to kiss her. But
how flashed his eyes and burnt his cheek when
the Marchioness turned back, and quite indig-
nautly he exclaimed:
x
Fortunately for him, these words were spoken
in German, SO that only the Princess NIctolre,
who stood near by, could understand them but
she was too much pleased with the boy and his
remark to repeat it.
Walfpang was, of course, also here obliged to
satisfy the curiosity and vulgar taste of the high
folks by that trick of playing on the piano after
the keys had been covered with napkin, fea-
ture which had startled so much the courtiers
at Vienna.
After he had repeated this farce several times,
he said, with some disgust to Mime Vctoire =
e They are all alike only you alone here un-
derstand music; and therefore give me something
to do which is better and worthier than what |
did just now"
" But whatT asked the Princess.
:" Give him minuet, and let him add the bass
to IT. advised Countess Tesse.
Good J" replied Madame. "Monsieur LIE
Grand will put on paper minuet for the boy
without the bass? ?"
Monsieur lie Grand, the music teacher of the
princesses, somewhat known by his compos-
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