The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-02-04


Great a. Mendslsaohn was as a. com
poser, believe be was far greater both as
pianist and an orgsnist. Under his hands
each instrument "discoursed" after man
Scarcely had he touched the cupboard
than something that can only be explained
as similar to q pleasurable electric shock,
passed through his hearers and held them
speil-bound-a sensation that was only dis.
solved as the last chord was struck, and
when ones pent-up breath seemed as if
only able to recover its usual action by
means of q gulp OF q sob.
An anecdote relative to this feeling
may here introduce, as told me by Sir
Michael Costa. On one occasion of Men
deissohn being in Switzerland, he and Sir
Michael met at the church of Friburg, in
which building the organ is of such world
wide celebrity that few Rersons-especially
those WHO lay claim to any musical taste
leave the town without going to hear it..
At the time referred to the custodian was
somewhat of a bear, and most determinedly
refused, either for love or money, to permit
keys, although lie himself had not the
slightest pretensions to the designation of
an organist; and SO far from showing the
capabilities of the instrument, induced
very many to go away under the impress
sion that they had been .'sold, and that
all Murray and other guide books had
stated was nothing better than ga delusiOn
and snare" Mendelssohn' was resolved,
by hook or by crook, to ascertain what the
Friburg organ was made of. For this he
drew the custodian out, working upon his
weak points of character-for the old man
really loved the organ as if it had been his
child-but as to getting his consent, that
alization. Every one, who ever had the
good fortune te be acquainted with Men
delssohh, must have been attracted by his
winning manners, his courteous bearing,
and his manifestation of decided character.
Whether be wen upon the old man by one
of these peculiarities of his "native worth"
in particular, Or by their combination, can
only be inferred. Suffice it to say, that
after a long pnrley, he was permitted to try
one range OF keys. One hand he used at
first, quietly employing the other in draw
ing the stops, as if to test the variety of
what seemed applicable for his purpose, he
made dash which completely staggered
the old man and began to play as only he
could play. The old man gasped for breath.
He clutched the rail against which he was
standing, and for an instant seemed as if
no would drag this bold intruder from his
seat. That impulse was, however, only
monentary for he soon stood, as it were,
spell bound, until a break In the gushing
harmony enabled him to make an effort to
ascertain who the master-spirit was that
made the organ speak as he had never
heard It speak before. Sir Michael Costa
at first scarcely knowing whether it were
better to smile at the old mans astoDish
ment, or to let events take their course, or
to enlighten him at oncey decided upon the
former course but at this moment the old
man seized him and gasped out, Who in
Heavens name is that mani" But when
-he answered, slowly and deliberately,
"Felix MeHdelssohn Bartholdy," he stag
gered as if struck by tremendous blow.
"And refused to let him touch my organ"
he sorrowfully said. But as Mendelssohn
began again to play, he gave an impatient
sign, that he should not be disturbed, and
listened and listened as he never listened
again, as if some mighty spirit had en-
tranced him. The object gained, Men
delssohn spoke few kind words to the old
man, and SO departed, leaving an impress
sion upon his mind and heart that, without
doubt, during the time he was spared, was
never for an hour obliterated.-Tinley's
Magazine.