New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
IGNATZ MOSC .uFLFS.

iGEATZ MoSCT, ELEs. EprrKD BY HIS WIFE, AHo
ADAPTFD rIJM ORIGINAL GERMAN By a. ~
COlKRlpGE. l2mo. pp. 434 Henry Holt d CO.
The rocollectons Of the veteran composer that are
comprised in this volume extend over pcrlou VI
nearly sixty years, forming truthful chronicle Vi
the musical history of his times, with persona
notices of the most eminent artists among MS CO.
Temperatures Doubtless the details OF the narrative
which are carried out to an excessive degree oi o
lxity will appear too minute, and OFTEN 700 ui'i'
for readers in general, but the lovers Of muSic s
Sip viii find rich treat in the illusions to inc oe,e
brated performers of the present century, ana III 'e
critical remarks on the productions which nave heiu
the highest place in the music of the PERIOD
Moscheles was born in Prague In the year l'Ss'
His memory reached back TO the time OF the french
revolution the horrors Of which wero the constant
theme Of conversation. Even the minds OF the boys
in tho streets were filed with military affairs,
and there was no end to the playing at sol
diers Moscheles early inspired with the
love of music by the performances of the mill
tary band. Coming home from these con-
oerts glowing with enthusiasm, he would say
10 his mother al too will be a musician" lis
father. who was q cloth-merchant by trade, found
time with all his business to cultivate his taste Ior
music Of which no was passiOnately fond Inc
musical education of young Moscheles was coin-
menoed at an early age. He soon became pro
flcient. and was petted and admired as an imam
prodigy The ladies in fashionable circles heap'u
upon him compliments, kisses, and all KINDS Oh Gu
dearments. HIS father, however, soon put s'oP 10
the mischief and rcprmanded his indiscreet iiends'
1lJhor no ,vas only seven years old Moschees began
"a play the most difficult pieces of Beethoven, OF
coDrse rnancling the great works of the immortal
master He was put upon the right track by the
malicious counsel of Dionys Weber, who undertook
the instruction of the boy and insisting that 1or inc
hrst wear he should play nothing but Mozart, the
second CLEMENT and the third Bach but during
that time not a note of Beethoven.
AT the age Of fourteen Moscheles lost his excellent
father to whom he was deeply attached, end VINO
did not live, according to the wish repeatedly eN'
pressed during his last illness to hear the first COM
posi,on Of bis son. The family were not left in
nfluent circumstances which occasioned his FIRST
public appearance in Prague. With the consent OF
Weber he finished a concerto on which ne bad Deeu
nj work and gave a musical sOree. which was much
applauded and yielded him some money for his pains
Soon after the death of his father, the Young
musician was sent by his mother 70 Vienna lie was
20 continue his studies, and earn his own bread in
that pleasure-loviDg capital. p" / remember WITH
gratitude the hearty welcome and kind at
tentions received in the family circles of Lewinger
and Eskeles and in the house of the Italian Al
taria. who afterwards published my first com
pOsitions relation of the Baroness Eskeles gave
large musical parties which was allowed to take
n mart The daughter of the house was a pupil of
Htreicher and a warm supporter of his school, Both
master and pupil fancied they alone were genuine
and correct piano-forte players. The lady ADVISED
me TO listen frequently to her daughters playing,
md at the same time to take lessons of Streicher.
The first half Of this advice seemed to me arrogant
on her part and to follow the latter would have
been ungrateful. | owed so much 10 my old friend
Dionvs Weber. Should l now, as a deserter serve
under another fagf No, determined to build for
the future only on the groundwork he had con-
ttrncted with such infinite pains would hear and
examine everything, and appropriate all that was
good according to my best ability, but would re-
main his grateful pupil to the last
He had now fairly started on his musical career,
md although but Just turned of twenty, was earn
ing his first laurels both a performer and com
poser After playing with brilliant success in Leip-
sic Dresden Munich. and other German cities, he
visited Paris in the Winter of 1917. He was at once
recognized in musical circles, and received the ap-
plause of the most critical authorities. His diary
mentions the following names among the select au-
diences which listened with delight to his perform
snces Cherubni, Auber,'Herold, Adam, Lesueur,
Pacipi, PaJr Mazas, Habeneck, Plantade, Blangini,
Iafont. Pleyel Ivan Miller, StruDz, Ni0tti.
Poncbard pelegiui, the brothers Bohrer, the
famous singers Nadermann. Garcia, aud Others. Nor
were the leading Journalists such as Martinve,
M.ngin. BeI-in, wanting on these occasions. There
were also present Sehlesinger. BOieldieu, Lemone'
the publishers and Pape, Petzold Erard, and FTeu-
dentbaler, the pianoforte makers, whose rvalnes
were constant source Of trouble to Moscbeies
He attracted the attention OF the leading families
in Paris. partly from the desire to secure him as
q teacher. and partly with the hope of hearing him
Mt their own musical parties bat he steadily de-
voted his morning hours to pianofOrte practice aud
composition. This work done he says, L plunge
rheerfully into the joys aud delights of this great
capital! He was loaded with invitations to din
ners, balls and all sorts of fetes."
After passing a JOYOUS winter in Paris, Moscheles
left that city in May, and arrived in London, where
he was destined to find his future home Full of
youthful fire and energy, he soon plunged into the
gayeties of the musical and fashionable world as be
had before done in Paris lie at once became a
iavorite Players on bis own instrument, such as
j. b. Cramer. T. Ries Kakbrenner, entered the lists
with him. and men like Clement were the judges.
Moscheles writes Of his colleague Cramer: " His in-
terpretation OF Mozart, and his MOzaTt-lke
positions like brestnnRs from the sweet south
nut nevertheless he shows hostility 70 me and my
Rrsvura STYLE on the contrary, public and private
Nc paws the sinceres homage which requlte with
heartfelt admiration. Cramer is exceedingly Intel
lertnai and entertaining a sharp satIca vein,
and spares neither his own nor his negh6ors foioes
manners that be has spent much OF his early life IN
.Ie is one Of the most inveterate snuHtakers Good
honseleepers maintain that AFTER every visit OF the
great master the floor be ceansed OF the snuff he
mas spill, while pianoiorte PLAYER cannot forgive
him Tor dshguriug his aristOcratic long, thin fingers,
with their beautifully shaped na Is Oy the use OF H. ana
often cloggug action OF The keys. Those thin Well
shaped fingers suited for egatO playing; they
glide along impereepbly from one key the other. and
sages. Cramer the piano in such manner that
he almost transforms Mozart andante into vocal
piece but the liberty Be takes in introdac
ing bs ana frequently trivial embellishments"
lie sometimes meets with comical experience. on
account of his beng a novice in the English Ian