Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-09-17
sftna1esas Anisles,
POWER OF Mgslc,
OR MozART's OXEN WALTZ.

IT =
- - POWER OF Music, z <
OR MozART's OXEN WALTZ. - 4
The sensitive nature Of Mozart, thai
sweetest of all musical composers, ID vel
known. The slightest diseord produced
in him severe irritation, and when engaged
in musical composition, his feelings. grew
80 intense that he almost lost consciousness
of all going on around hinl., A story is
told in Whitney's. Mxsical GSssts which
strikingly illustrates this. Mozart was en:
gagged IN arranging one of the most beauti.
full airs in an opera he was composing, when
the butcher called for his pay, winch had
been long due. In vain his wife endeavor.
ed to attract the sttention Of the wrapt ar.
tist, who scribbled away utterly unconscious
of her presence. ~ =. - n
ssShe ran down stairs, with tears in hsr
eyes, telling the butcher that her husband
could not Be spoken to, and that he must
come another time. But the man Of blood
was not easily to be dannted-he must have
his bill settled, and speak with Mozart him
self-or he would not send him another
ounce of meat: He assembled the stairs
Mozart, distantly conscious that something
had passed in his presence, had continued
pouring the efusions of his fantasia on pa
per when the heavy footsteps resounded In
the hall. His stick was at hand. Without
turning his eyes from the sheet, he held his
stick against the door to keep out the in
truders. -. :,
"But the steps were approaching. Mo-
zart, more anxious, hurried as fastsas he
could, when rap at the door demanded
permission to enter. The beautiful efusion
was in danger Of being los., The alright
ed composer cast ., fugitive glance at bis
stick-it was too short. With anxiety
bordering on frenzy he looked around his
room, and pole standing behind the cur
tain caught his eye; this he seized, hold
it with all his might against the door, wri-
ting like fury all the while. The knob was
turned, but the pole withstoed the first eff.
fort. A pause succeeded, Words were
heard on the staircase, and the intrudsrs
renewed their efforts the second time. But
the strength Of the composer seemed to In
crease with his anxiety. Large drops Of
perspiration stood on his forehead. Stem
ming the pole against his left breast with
the force of despair, he still kept out the
visitors. He succeeded but for q moment,
yet it was precious moment-the delight
full air was poured upon the paper--it was
saved =. 80. @r~. a ~ fss
"sMr. Mozart, said the butcher.
"sHalt! halt 7. said the composer, seiz-
ing the manuscript, and hurl'Ying toward the
piano-forte. Down he sat, and the most
delightful air that was ever heard respond
ed from the instrument. The eyes of his
wife, and even of the butcher, began to
moisten. Mozart finished the tune, rose
again, and, running to the writing desk, he
filed out what was wanting. .':' 80 -
"sWell, Mr.. Mozart, said the butcher,
when the artist had finished, you know
that I am to marry.
"tNo, 1 do not said Mozart, who had
somewhat recovered from hismusical trance.
".'Well, then, you know it now, and you
also know that you owe me money for meat.
"tI do said, Mozart, with q sigh. !
"sNever mind said the man, underwhose
blood-stained coat bent feeling heart; .you
make me fine waltz for my marriage-ball,
and / will cancel the debt, and let you have
meat for year to come. - -
".It is bargain = cried the lively and
gifted Mozart and down be sat, and a
waltz was elected from the instrument
such waltz as the butcher had never be-
fore heard. r. .aa52=,Gf. ~
asMeat for year, did Isay?'t 'texclaim-
ed the enraptured butcher. No lone hun
dred ducats you shah have for this waltz,
but want it with trumpets and horns and
fddles-you know best-and soon, too!
"sYou shall have it so,' said Mozart,
who could hardly trust his ears, and in one
hour you may send for it, ~'.'':5.'T
"The liberal-minded butcher retired.
In an hour the waltz was set in full Or
chestra music. The butcher returned, was
delighted with the music, and paid Mozart
his one hundred ducats-a sum more splen-
did than he had ever received from the
Emperor for the greatest of his operas.
1t is to this incident that the lovers Of
harmony are indebted for the celebrated
Oxen Waltz-a piece of music still unri-
vailed" s...