Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-02-07
"REMINISCENCES OF MENDEL.
SSOHN.
NIadame POlko's Book.

published in London by Longman.
The book is not strictly a biography
but a collection Of anecdotes and reco.
Elections, arranged as nearly as possibl
10 chronological order. Madame Polk
belongs TO the sentimental order {
~biographers, and is afflicted with a pas
sion for rhetorical displays when Sd
writes 1.-THE chimes of remembrance
are this day ringing in my heart, and
is amidst their sounding and ringin
that l take up my pen TO write this littl
book"-but her reverence for Mendel
ssohn is evidently sincere, and common
dable industry is shown in the COLLATION.
of facts and incidents illustrative of hi
life.
The following is a pleasant account o
MENDELssoHN's HOME.
In his gay early youth, Mendelssohr
wrote a vast deal; though his labor.
were not tOilsome, but rather ike tn,
unintermitting yet natural growth O
buds and blossoms, while the sun thai
matured this growth and increase was
his parental home. Ever blessed be
such a home ! No better talisman can be
found against the perils Of the journey
of life, for men or women than the mem,
cries of a loving home, Of the sweet and
Incompatible happiness once our portion
there. Such remembrances are stronger
than the golden links of the chain on
the falcons foot, that hold fast when he
would fam take fight-they gently but
surely draw us back from far distant
lands into our parents house. Such
memories inspire US with strength and
courage; such a home is our earthly
Paradise-the only here below from
which we cannot be driven out. May a
! blessing, then, rest on those beloved
ones who prepared for Us nee IN a time
that happiness which no other human
beings, however loving or gentle, can
ever again bestow on us-our father and
mother.
Even at that time an infinitely rich
spiritual and musical life existed in the
house Of the Mendelssohn family, where
the elite both of artists and lovers of
art met; the most brilliant names in
science, art and literature were repre-
sented there. How often the two Hum
boldts came. Yarnhagen, Heinc and
those young violin virtuosos, Rietz and
David; and, in addition, an ever-bloom-
ing fora of the most attractive and fas-
cinatiDg fair forms, and among these the
still wondrously beautiful Henriette
Herr. The works of Felix were all here
first carefully performed it was esteemed
an honor and a privilege to be permitted
to take a part in any musical perfor-
nance at these celebrated Sunday matt
nees; chOruses and quartets were sung,
quintets and triOs executed in rare per-
lection and it was on one of those Sun
day forenoon that Moscheles played for
the first time, with the most rapturous
applause, his Homage a Handel"
The young teacher and his talented
scholar, moreover, played together daily
for hours, discussing their mutual works, |
with each other in composing, ar
ranging domestic concerts, taking long
walks. Felix showed the most grateful
devotion and the most lively admiration
Of Moscheles, without, however, 10 the
degree negleeting, in favor of
his new friend, those teachers who had
hitherto instructed him. He possessed
in a high degree the rare and pleasing
virtue of courtesy of heart. His inter
with Zelter and Berger was cor
dial-and flial, submissive to their peeu-
liarities, Obedient to their will, and
modestly subordinate to them in all
tearing NJ at once, without a
sigh, those compositions pronounced by
OF Klein to be Insignificant, thus
no doubt depriying US for ever Of many
a charming piece OF music. Those, too,
who saw him, with the most cheerful
air in the world, deyoting himself for
ionrs to the invalid Berger, and in spite
Of his " sparkling viYacity, reading
10 him, playing and copying music for
him, must have more than admired, they
must have loved him.
In 1885 Mendelssohn was installed as
director Of the Gewandhaus concerts at
Leipzig, and in the same year " St.
Paul" was completed, and performed
or the first time at Dusseldorf. 1t is
# this period Of his life that the follow
ne aneedote is told
IENDELsSoHN AND SOPHIA sCHLoss.
1t was after this brilliant festival
Iendelssohn being at that time on q
isit to Schsdow-that a stranger was
unounced who wished to speak to him {
n a matter of importance. Presently a
here came into the charming salon, full
f flowers, statues, and chefs d'RuUre. of
a homely, quiet man, accom- q
by a timid girl, scarcely beyond @
he age of childhood, her black hair 5
down in thick plaits on her
boulder, her large dark eyes CHANGING
it'll nervous anxiety at the celebrated
1mposer OF &" St. Paul" while the color "
a her cheeks varied from white to red.
, was Sophie Schloss, afterwards SO &
crowned as a singer, and her father.
he latter humbly entreated the master v
, give him his opinion about the voice :
{ his child, requesting him to try it, as
depends solely on his verdict, whether
is little girl should be educated as a :
niger. Mendelssohn kindly stroked A
le head Of the child whose dark ewes
et his encouragingly. His few cheer
e words-and no one knew better how
7, speak thus, and to inspire self reliance
/ genuine modesty-soon lit up the 4
face with a smile. "What will
on sing to me?' "0n the wings of
ing" Really Well, then, let US 8
Ike fight together ?" He seated him
If at the piano, and looked once more
the little singer with a smile-and ah!
no could smile like him when wishing
inspire confidence in a timid heart - s
I'd then the full tones Of a grand con
alto resounded in the large room.
ophie Schloss went fearlessly through s
er song only just towards the close, q
10 consciousness Of her bold attempt, p
the dread of her judge and his YER i
seemed all Of a sudden to rush like Z
stream Of lava On her remembrance,
ID the last tones were tremulous. 4
hendelssohn'A hands glided from the q
eys, and he said That was excellent 2,
GU have a voice of gold. and must *
ositively become a great singer Ana d,
hus was the career Of the young nov;co d
1 art decided Sonhfa E.Ll q