The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-14

summers, and II was during his wanderings
amid the leafy shades of the garden of Schon-
brunn that many of his finest ideas occurred to
him. In 1900 he makes the first mention of the
deafness which subsequently gave him so much
trouble. He was very sensitive on this point,
and, indeed, was almost driven to suicide by his
too keen appreciation of his defeat 1t was
after this deafness became chronic however,
that some of his noblest compositions notably
his Fidelio and Ruins of AHens-were COM
posed. Domestic troubles and litigation gave
him great trouble, and for several years diverted
his mind from art. nephew of dissolute cha
racter, who had been left in his charge by
dying brother, caused him much anxiety and
pecuniary outlay. In 1896, after visit to a
country estate near Vienna, he was taken sick
with cold resulting from exposure, which led
to an attack of dropsy, proving fatal on the 26th
of March, 1927
Beethoven left to the world legacy of nine
symphonies eleven overtures, thirty-two piano
forte sonatas, one opera, two masses, great
variety of songs, and quantity OF music for
stringed instruments. His life was an unhappy
one, but it was not, as many have supposed,
passed in poverty. His reputation is greater
than his popularity; everybody acknowledges
his ability, but his music is often beyond the
average listener.
In this country Beethoven is a magnificent
tradition; with his genius the American people
do not have a close affinity. The passion and
force of the Italian masters are more in accor-
dance with our natural feelings. The Teutonic
element in this country, however, keeps alive
. the PUBIC interest III Tue great ulaSJer; anu as
most of our German musicians are teachers they
of course instil in the minds of their pupils
fitting reverence for the man they 50 much ad-
mire His piano-forte compositions are widely
used in this country, while no concert which
claims to be at all classical would be complete
without extracts from his works.
The so-called Choral symphony is, perhaps
Beethoven's most elaborate orchestral work. 1t
has been several times performed here, but
never on such q scale as to realize the ideas of
the composer. Beethoven's soprano aria, "Ah
Perfido," the special favorite of Parepa, is sung
frequently at Philharmonic and other concerts;
and his "Adelade" is essaved by every tenor
from Mario down. His 'Egmont" music has
been given here with acceptation. His opera
Fidelio has for many years enlisted the atten-
tion of the greatest artists in the lyric world.
In England the principal part has been one of
the finest achievements of Tietjens. In this
country, Madame Bertha Johannsen Gan admi-
rable artist, whose name we are glad to see
among those singers who will take part in this
weeks Centennial FestivaD has personated
"Fidelio" with refined dramatic appreciation and
with artistic vocal skill. Much of Beethovens
music exists in unsuspected forms in many of
the hymn tunes sung in our churches; and it is
impossible to estimate how far familiarity
with his works has suggested more modern
compositions which the composers honestly
think are original with themselves.