Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-02-09

4 STORY ABOUT MEyDElssoHN The writ
er of f"Musical Recollections of the Last Half
Century" in Fmslsys Mogdsne, tells this
good story of Mendelssohn
Great as Mendelssohn was as composer,
| believe he was far greater both as pianist
and as an Organist. Under his hand each in
strument ''discoursed" after a manner as
original as it was captivating Scarcely had
he touched the keyboard than something
That can only be explained as similar to 4
pleasurabe electric shock passed through his
hearers and held them spellbound-a sensa-
ton that was only dissolved 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 gulp or a sob.
An anecdote relative to this feeling may
here introduce as told me by Sir Michael
Costa. On one ocSasion of Mendess0hn be
ing in Switzerland, he and SIR Michael met
at the church of Friburg, in which building
the organ is Of such worldwide celebrity
that few persons-especially those who lay
claim TO any musical taste-leaye the town
wit ut going to hear it. At the time refer
red the custodian was somewhat of Il bear,
and most determinedly refused. either for
love or money, to permit any stranger to
place his fingers upon the key, although he
himself had not the slightest pretension to
the designation Of an organist; and 50 far
from showing the capabilities Of the iustru-
ment, induced very many to 20 away under
the impression that they had been i''sold'
and that all Murray and other guidebooks
had stated was nothing better than "A delu-
4 !
by hook or by crook, to ascertain what the
Friburg organ was made Of.
For this purpose he drew the custodian
out working upon his weak points of char
acter-ior the Old man really loved the organ
as if it had been ms child-but as to getting
bis consent, thai seemed to be beyond the
probability of realization. Every one, who
ever had the good fortune % be acQusinted
with Mennolssohn. must have been attract
ed by his winning manners, his courteous
bearing, and his manifestations Of decided
character. Whether he won upon the old
man by any one Of these peculiarities of biz
native worth in particular, or by their com
binati0n, can only be inferred. Suffice it TO
say, that after long parley he was permit
ted 70 try one range Of keys One hand he
employed at first quietly using the other iu
drawing the stops, as 1t 20 test the variety Of
their quality, and when be had thus got out
as many as seemed applicable for hispurpjse
he made a dash which completely staggered
the old man, and began To play as only he
could play.
The old man gaspei for breath lie
clutched the rail against which he was stand
ing, ami for an instant seemed a. If be would
drag this bold intruder from his scat. That
impulse was, however. only momenJary; for
he soon stood as it were, Spellb1und, until
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 speas before. Sir Michael
Costa. at fret scarcely knowing whether it
were better TO smile az the old mat's aston
ishment. or to let events take their course, OF
10 en.ighten him az once. decided upon the
former course; but at this moment the old
man seized him by the arm and gaspel ont,
w h0 10 iieaveas name. is that mau
But when he answered, slowly and delber-
atelv. "Felix Mende--ohn Bartholdy. be
staggered a. If struck ty tremendous blow
And refused him 20 rluch my organ ' be
s0rrowiullv said. But as Meriel-Slhn be-
gan again 10 play. he gave an impatient sign
that be- should not be disturbed, and listened
and listened as be never listened again, as IL
some mighty spirit bad entranced him. The
object gained, Mendei-sohn spoke few kind
words . the old man, and - departed, le4y-
ing an impression upon biz mind and hear
thai without doubt during the time that be
was spared was never fer an hour ob.iter-
.tai