The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-22

rich furniture and costly art, and pr1ncely
taste everywhere had gone hand in hand
with princely magnifcence. .a.a 4
Nevertheless, one could not but notice
among the thronging guests certain seri-
business, as if the shadow of some impend-
ing calamity were thrown over all their gay
ETY. and mirth. All about the salons in de-
tached groups here and there, they were
talking of the approaching destruction of
the Capelle. The concert hall was not yet
thrown open, and as the guests wandered
about the palace, or partook of the elegant
refreshments, which were brought to them
| by georgeously liveried servitors, there, was
but one common theme of conversation; it
was the breaking up of that renowned com
pany Of musicians, and the last concert to
which they we're soon to listen. The name
OF Haydn was spoken often and regretfully
by every one as they talked Especially
was this true of two stately gentlemen who
were lamenting together the close of so bril-
liant series of musical feasts. One of
them evidently belonged to the highest arts
tocracy, for his breast was covered with or
ders. Though the other, who only wore
the order of the Golden Spur, seemed not
to be of equally high rank, yet the expires
sion of his intellectual face, the proud pose
of his head, the stately courtesy of his man
ner, showed that he was at home in such
| company, aud that he bore in himself no.
bility which was firmer based than on the
gift of any earthly potentate The f.rmcr
was Count Itchy the latter the Chevalier
Won Gluck.
at is wrongly heaver, it is wrongp
said the Court. "If l were the Prince
would cut off half my establishment rather
than this Capellc, and especially its cOnduc-
tor, Haydn. He is one of our greatest
menl"
Indeed he is" answered Gluck with en-
thusiasm. "He is great in the least things
rs in the largest; always rich and inexhaust.
ible in new musical treasures; always sub.
lime, even when he seems to only smile. He
has given our Quadr0s and Symphonies a
/ fullness and rountlness which no one before
him ever dreamed Of"
"And how everything speaks when he
set the orchestra in motion." said Count
Itchy.
Yes" responded Gluck; "cach instru-
ment appears to have an independent soul
OF its own, which only recognizes its own
individuality to blend it at once with all the
rest
With the old composers the mass of the
orchestra was frozen stiff, while only here
and there an instrument was thawed into
melody with Haydn it is full free river
| of harmony"
ut is strange" said the Count, "how
simple and natural all his music seems: one
is almost persuaded that each new thing
has been long time familiar"
And that" said Gluck, sis one great
secret of his hold on the popular heart. His
music tells you perpetually what you seem
always to have known, but are delighted to
he reminded of; it surprises you every mo-
ment but it is by its marvellous naturalness.
| The child can understand it; the oldest
heart can not but rejoice to have under
stood it."
1--WE are to hear new symphony of his
to night, are we not?" asked the Count.
But at this moment the folding-doors of |
the concert hall were thrown OPEN and the |
rustling and brilliant company streamed in |
and took their seats. Prince Esterhazy es |
corted the old Princess Colloredo. Mozart |
stood behind the chair of his fair pupil, the |
Countess Rombeck, who had seated herself |
by the side of the Baroness Waldstctten.
Near them sat the Baron van Swieten and |
the Chevalier Gluck.
The concert began. In the first part the
music was very fine, MS it always was but
not remarkable, except for a repressed |
expression of sadness, which seemed to per.
wade the orchestra as well as the audience,
Even the selection of pieces gave evidence
OF their mood, which began to be painful.
Mozart could not keep the tears from his ewes.
Prince Esterhazy bit his lips to conceal his
own feeling. No one knew what it had cost
him to decide on breaking up the Capelle,
winch had for so long been his darling
and his pride. But now at the pause be-
tween the parts, an intense concentration of
expectancy filled the hall. Every one knew
that Haydn had written new symphony
Tor the second part of this farewell concert.
all expected something memorable The
great composer would not take leave of
them in any common manner.
At last the Prince gave the signal, and
Haydn, who had been conversiug with Col
loredo, advanced to his desk. He was pale.
paler even than ordinary, and the wayering
light which burned in front of him behind
.greenlsh screen gave something ghostly to
MS expression. Unmistakable was the seri-
ousness'that lay in his features, which new
ertheless could not extinguish the sweet and
mild expression of that noble face. Now
rose the baton of the Capellmeister-the
symphony begsn-and every heart in the
audience beat loud and fast, as if it obeyed
the silver wand of the master. Down
through the night of earth life were falling
Deams OF light, and these beams were tones.
Meiodies gllmmering forth, ascending and
descending upon those streaming tones
like angels. Those who knew and loved the
master could hear how the music said,
Even though all things else should leave
US, thou eternal spirit of music, wilt not
leave US Repulsed, deserted by all other
friends, In thee. my art, find my hottest
friend Praise and thanks to Thee, dear
heavenly Father, that Thou hast given it to
these earthly children-that thou to me hast
given it-this celestial angel of our lifer'
The simple childlikc strains touched the
hearts even Of those who had not that per
sect sympathy, which alone could give them
the Key to Haydnis compositions. To them
1t was only glance into momentary and
vanishing Paradise, whose eyanosceuce made
them weep, while its beauty still elimmered
In their tears. Prince Esterhazy was touch
ed beyond expression He was ready to re-.
pent his decision. His pride in his capelle
his love for the art, his reverence for the
great composer, all urged him to alter his
determination, while the tones of the gym.
phony struck like winged arrows TO his
heart. 1t needed all his strength of self.
command to make him hold to his purnose
But what IS this? The drums are siienc.
gu: Inc young man who beat them extin-
cuisines the light before his stand, and noise
lessly departs. 1t was an uuprecedented
thing in the orchestra. What could If
mean? {
ihe music goes on; no one thinks further
nfthe occurrence
How now! The trumpeters also take their ;
instruments, extinguishcs their lights. and
disappear. {
There Is little stir of surprise in the au-
Hence. Now one brass instrument after an.
other is hushed, other lights are extinpuisb.
I'd, and the performers depart. Still the
goes on, bat ever softer and faint !
n. The instruments become fewer-more
lights arc extinguished- grows darker,
onelier in the orchestra.
a little shudder creeps over the silent 4
hearers, even though it is accompanied bya
mile at the strangeness of it all. The ewes :
f the Prince are wet. Il
he SO? ?" P CT
Now the bassons arc dumb, their lights
re put out, they disappear The violin u
'llos follow them then the double. bass u
nd now the first violin alone in the duskv y
ciiestra sobs forth its sorrowing tones. It ="
the swan: song of the -Capclle@tbe mas.
"a farewall! Fainter and faster off dies ps
re wall of the solitary instrument; then it 81
70 Is silent, its light extinguishcd, its play IN
/, is gone. eftEss re
Now sits the master there alone .!