The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-03-28
A Blind Negro Pianist.

There is musical phenomenon at Sa-
vannah, Georgia, in the person Of the
boy Tom. The Charleston, Courier
gives the following account of him:
He strikes the keys with all the con-
fidence of one largely gifted with the
musical faculty, who had devoted many
years to the cultivation of the talent
His manipulation is most graceful. his
touch is now exquisitly delicate, and then
all the strength Of his frail body is thrown
into his hands, and he strikes the instru-
ment with impassioned earnestness. In
his execution he not only reproduces the
piece with perfect fidelity, giving every
note its sound, but the style of the per
former is exactly initiated. Several of
our most distinguished musicians per
formed in Toms hearing long and com
plex operatic pieces, and the Heaven
taught boy reproduced them without com
hitting single mistake.
We might conclude that this boys tai
ent consisted in remarkable develop
ment Of the faculties of memory and i'm
itation, did he confine himself TO those
pieces he learns by ear. But he not only
astonishes by the qickness with which lie
acquires piece, no matter how long and
difficult, but he improvises with readiness
and fluency. On the occasion of which
we speak, Tom was directed by his mas
ter to play an original piece, and he com
piled with cheerful readiness. He com
posed with all the ease and confidence
that mark the fluent orator in the use of
words. These original compositions in
creasing the wondering interest excited
by the performance of this prodigy, and
force us to look upon him as one posses
sed of that rare and strange gift termed
genius.
We have alluded to the exquisite
touch Of this lad, but what we have said
concerning his manipulation gives no idea
Of his style and manner. For he has
style of his own, seen when improyising.
and it is as brilliant as it is orr ginal and
peculiar. But it is his manner and coun-
tenance that most profoundly impress
When not under the influence of sweet
sounds, his face is devoid of life and ex-
preston. This is partly owing TO blind
ness, and partly TO imbecility. We sec
boy with decidedly African type Of
face-low retrcating forehead. flat spread
ing nose and projecting upper lip, with
every mark of idiocy. We see this awk-
ward and stupid negro led to the piano
stool; he takes his seat. but the first
touch on the responsive keys shows us
that the soul is made for melody. He
sweeps his hands over the keys with the
air Of master, and then we behold the
inspiration manifesting itself in his coun-
tenance and movements, till interest
changes to awe, and we are dumb with
astonishment. An estate influence flows
from the keys into his fingers, and rolls
like tide through his veins, lighting up
a fire in every nerve as it courses along
His head is thrown back: : now il rests
on one shoulder, then on the other, and
again it falls upon his breast A light
kindles on the blank face, and as we gaze
wondering. the fashion of his face seems
changed. Ii is absolutely beautiful. -
The divine ravishment increases every
moment. and when he is thoroughly sui
fused with the inspiration of the melody.
the muscles of his face twitch, and his
upper teeth are pressed firmly upon his
lower lip. \ feeling of reverence steals
over us as we behold this mysterious and
sudden transformations