Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-30
Daily Ntnnrbtt Spurnal.
fHE BOY ORHANlST;

Mozart's first experience of a large or
ran was in the monastery of a little town
On the banks of the Danube. He was then
only six years old, and in company with
his father upon a long course of travel.
All day long they had been sailing down
that majestic river, past crumbling ruins,
frowning castles, cloisters hidden away
among The crags. towering cliffs, quiet
villages nestled in sunny valleys, and
here and there deep gorge that opened
back from the gliding river, its hollow
distance blue with fathomless shadow,
and its loneliness and stiffness stirring
the boys heart like some dim and vast
cathedral. The company of monks with
whom they had been travelling that day
were at supper in the refectory of the
cloister, when Father Mozart took Wolf
gang into the channel to see the organ.
And now as the boy gazed with something
of awe upon the great instrument, loom
ing up in the shadows of the great, empty
church, his face lit up with serene salts
faction, and every motion and attitude of
the little figure expressed wondering
reverence. What tones must even now
be slumbering in those mighty pipes !?
Tones, which, if once awakened, could
give utterance to all that voiceless beauty
which the days scenes had showed him
life and death. present and past; the
peaceful river and the deserted ruin; the
sunshine unfailing shadow at its side.
Father" said the boy, "explain to me
those pedals at the organs feet, and let
me play!'
Well pleased, the father complied.
Then Wolfgang pushed aside the stool,
and when Father Mozart had filled the
great bellows, the eltin organist stood up
on the pedals, and trod them as though he
had never needed to have their manage
ment explained. How the deep tones
woke the sombre stiffness of the old
church! The organ seemed some great,
uncouth creature, roaring for very JOY at
the caresses of the marvellous child. The
monks, eating their supper in the refec.
tory, heard the tones and dropped knife
and fork in establishment. The organist
OF the brotherhood was among them; but
never had he played with such power and
freedom. They listened and grew pale
some crossed themselves till the prior
rose up, summoned all his courage, and
fastened into the chapel. The others
followed, but when they looked up into
the organ loft, 10 there was no form of
huA OTSduiSt W Dc stcHs tuouSH tuo uCcp
tones still massed themselves in the new
harmonies, and made the stone arches
thrill with their power. ut is the devil
himself" cried the first one of the monks,
drawing closer to one of his companions,
and giving scared look over his shoulder
into the darkness Of the aisle. at is a
miracle - said another. But when the
Oldest OF their number mounted the stairs
to the organ front he stood petrified with
amazement. There stood the tiny finger,
treading from pedal to pedal, and at the
same time clutcbing the keys above with
his little hands. gathering handfuls of
those wonderful chords as if they were
violets. and fiinging them out into the
solemn gloom behind him. He heard
nothing. saw nothing besides; his eyes
beamed like stars. and his whole face
lighted with impassionate joy. Louder
and fuller rose the harmonies. streaming
forth in swelling pillows. till at last they
seemed to reach a sunny shore, on which
they broke and then whispering ripple
Of the iaintest melody fingered a moment
in the air, like the last murmur of a wind
harp and all was still.