Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-14
INC musical Prodigy.

For considerable time past. we have been
noting in the press of various Southern cities,
notices of the wonderful musical performan-
ces of a little negro boy, an imbecile in all
things else, but an accomplished natural mu-
sician- who performs the most difficult pieces
of the Old Masters without instruction and
improvises the finest music rapidly. This
boy has been brought to Nashville, and, next
week, our citizens will have an opportunity
to see and hear him. He will give three en-
tertainments, Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-
day. The following notice of ''ToN' is from
the Charleston CourieT-
In our issue of Friday, we published the
remarks of the Savannah Express on the
musical performance of the boy Ton, the
slave Of Perry III. Oliver, Esq Some may
have supposed that the description OF our
contemporary was too highly colored. and
that the talents the pianist exhibited did not
quite Justify the admiration and wonder eX
pressed in that article. But we can assure
all who entertained ibis opinion that the mu-
sician is an extraordinary genius.
Through the courtesy of his master. we
we're permitted, with a company of ladies
and gentlemen, to enjoy the sounds drawn
played several pieces. some of which were
exceedingly difficult, others short and simple,
and all with equal facility aud correctness.
He strikes the keys with all the confidence
of one largely gifted with the musical facul-
ty, who had devoted many years to the cul-
tivation of the talent. His manipulation is
most graceful his touch is now eXquisitely
delicate, and then all the strength of his
frail body is thrown into his hands, and he
strikes the instrument with imprisoned
carnestness.
In his execution he not only reprodQces
the piece with perfect fidelity, giving every
note its sound. but the style of the pefOrmer
likewise exactly initiated. Several of our most
distinguished musicians performed. in TOMS
hearing, long and complex operate pieces,
and the Heaven-taught boy reproduced them
without committing a single mistake.
We might conclude that this boys talent
consisted in a remarkable development OF
the faculties of memory and imitation, did
he confine himself to those compositions he
learns by the ear. But he not only astonishes
by the quickness with which be acquires
piece, no matter how long and difficult. but
he improvises with readiness and fuency.-
On the occasion of which we speak, Tom
was directed by his master to play an origi-
nal piece, and he complied with cheerful
readiness. He composed, with all the ease
and confidence that mark the fluent orator
iu the u-e of his words. On being asked
what title he would give the piece, he replied,
.call it the Charleston Polka" Aud the
Charleston Polka was very sweet to the ear.
These original compositions increase the
wondering interests excited by the perfor-
mances Of this prodigy. and force US to look
upon him as one possessed of that rare and
strange gilt termed genius.
- Ill lol ffntrr O.
full 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, which is seen when lmprovlslng,
and it is as brilliant as it is original and pc
culiar. But it is his manner and countenance
that most profundly impress. When not I'M
der the influence of sweet sounds, his face is
devoid OF life and expression. This is partly
owing 10 blindness, but in a far greater meas
ure to imbecility. We See a boy with de-
cidedly African type of face-low retreating
forehead, fat spreading nose and projecting
upper lip with every mark of idiolcy. We see
this awkward and stupid negro led 10 the
piano stool. He takes his seat, but the first
touch on the responsive keys shows US that
his soul is made for melody. He sweeps his
hands over the keys with the air of master,
and then We behold the Inspiration mani
fesiating itself in his coun;enance and move
ments Till Interest changes TO awe, and we
are dumb with astoni~hment. The melody
penetratrs his whole being. An ecstatic in
fiuence flows from the keys into his fugers,
aud rolls like tide through his veins, light
ing up fire 10 every nerve as il courses
along His head is thrown back; now it
rests upon one shoulder, then on the other.
and again it falls upon his breast. A light
kindIes on the blank face, and as we gaze,
wondering, the fashion of his countenance
seems changed. II is absolutely beautiful
The divine ravishment increases every mo-
ment. and when he is thoroughly suffused
with the inspiration of the melody the mus
cIes of his face twitch, and his upper teeth
are pressed firmly upon his lower lip. A
feeling of reverence steals over us as we be-
hold this mysterious aud sudden transiorma-
ton.
What shall we say more about this prodi-
gy? In this boy-this unlettered, blind and
awkward negro-we behold one who, with
out assistance from men or books, without
human aid of any sort, excels the master of
a beautiful and difficult art. We behold one
whom it is beyond the power OF the most
gifted to instruct-wbO accomplishes without
labor and without seeming effort, what 9TH
ers perform after years of intense toll and
assiduous application, Here we have food
for thought, and wonder and adoration.-
Charleston Courier.