Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-04-18


I am indeed no longer able TO give, after
the lapse Of 80 many years, especially as
find no memoranda Of the same in my
notebook. Many expressions and sem
tences, however, have remained impress
ed upon my memory; for my later and
more intimate relations with Mendels-
sohn frequently gave me occasion TO call
to mind my first meeting with him.
Goethe expressed his regret that we had
Oh this occasion only.made acquaintance
with the little fellow in concerted pieces.
Infant musical prodigies," said he,
"are nowadays, as far as regards tech
nical skill, no longer so great rarities I;
but what this little man achieves in the
execution of fantasies, and of pieces at
sight, borders upon the wonderful, and
could never have believed it possible
for one OF such tender years.
"Anu yet i'm Frankfort you heard Mo-
zart when still only in his seventh year!"
cried Zelter.
"Yes," reioined Goethe; "at that time
was myself only twelve years of age,
and most certainly, like all the rest of
the world, j was in the highest degree as
tonishedby yhisextraOrdiDary proficiency.
What your pupil, however, achieves al
ready, bears the same relation to the per-
formances of Mozart at that age, which
the educated language of a man does to
the lispings of an ninfant!"
Certainly" said Zelter, smiling, "as
far as mere manual execution is concern
ed, Felix plays at sight, as simple exer-
cises, and without missing single note,
the compositions by which Mozart in his
day transported the world with astonish-
ment. But still, many others can do this
also. What l look at, however, is the
creative genius of the lad, and, gentle
men," continued he, turning to us,
"what think you of his quartette COM
position?"
We declared on our part, with fullest
conviction, that Felix had shown many
more original thoughts than had Mozart
at the same age; for the latter had then
produced nothing but clever limitations
of what already existed. Accordingly,
we had right to conclude that the world
would have, in this lad, a second and
greater Mozart, and that the more surely,
because lie was in full enjoyment of exu-
berant health, while all other circum-
stances were favorable.
May it be sol" said Goethe. but
who can say how soul may develop it
self in the lapse of years? We have seen
so many talents, giving such fair promise
of future achievements, go astray and de-
ceive and disappoint our high expccta-
tions. From such sad issue, however, we
may hope that this youthful genius will
be guarded by the teacher which good
fortune has given him in Zelter."'
Il strive to be very strict with the
boy" said Zelter, "and, even in his own
independent labors, seek to hold him in
check by the curb of rigid counterpart
studies. But how long can this continue
before he escapes my discipline? Even
now, can teach him nothing more of es.
sential importance,-ando once free, then
! first will 1t be manifested in what direc
ton his own guidance will lead him."
"Yes, and especially" said Goethe ais
the influence OF a teacher problematica
matter. Whatever the artist creates
which is truly great and original, he cal
only find within himself. Towhat teach
ers do you think Raphael, Michael An
gelo, Haydn, Mozart, and all world
renowned masters, have owed their i'm
mortal crcations?"
"It is true," remarked Zelter, "many
have begun like Mozart, but as yet M
one has equalled him in subsequent
achievements. (Of Beethoven no men
ton was made, and therefore we havenoI
instanced his name.)
"Felix has imagination, feeling, and
technical ability, all in an eminent de.
gree. In everything that he does, he
manifests good, sometimes charming, and
certainly far from puerile ideas, but as yet
it is only pretty music, which still creeps
upon the earth: we do not yet hear in il
! the accents of genius. In this have moi
| deceived myself Do you not think so
gentlemen?" Ashe himself had express
ed the opinion, we could not but assent
| Still, I Ventured to add, "In MoZart''
boyish compositions, too, these accents
were not yet audible" ....
also hazarded the question, whethel
| this quartette, as we had heard it, wa,
entirely the child's own work.
eyes, indeed, +" reioined Zelter; "every
note written by his own hand, and-cre
ated too, entirely created by his OWL
mind. "
"What you have heard, he has JUS
completed, without any assistance what
ever. | know well the practice of many
teachers. In order to eXalt their own
skill in teaching, they revise and correct
| the productions of their pupils until little
or nothing remains of the ideas of the
latter, and then give these out as the work
of the scholars! This is nothing but dis
graceful swindling and charlatanry.-
They deceive not only the relatives o
their pupils and the public, but also the
pupils themselves, who readily imagine
/ ullaU tney nave UOlle everything tIltlfi
selves. 1t is an evil which has already
proved the ruin of many talent really
of high order, and hampered it in the
higher development of its powers. My
pupil, however, l leave to his own re
sources; l let him do what he is able t.
do at the time. In this way, the desir,
of creating remains ever fresh and active
| because, at the time of its production, h,
is content with what he has done, anC
the pleasure which he takes in his sue
cess is not embittered by criticism. Thi
comes soon enough of itself. The judg
mcnt grows and expands, and with thi
comes the inducement to fresh and bette
production. In this way, has this lad o
! twelve already written more than many
a man of thirty. Let it turn out as it will
| there they are, the necessary steps, which
no one, not even the greatest genius, car
do without or spring over IF HEAVIER
shall only guard for us this rare plan
from all baleful influences, most assured
ly win 1t unfold itself as a bright exem
plar of genius and beautyl" M
This is all can rerhember of that con
versation.
| SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER.
| The boy had grown to man. hat
! watched with interest the constant ris,
of his reputation and fame; had enjoyed
with ever-increasing sympathy his com