, 1874-10-18
NTENDELSSOHN.

AQunrtett at the House OF Goethe.
| TRANSLATED By JOSEPH SINGER FROM THE GEE
| MAN OF J. c. LOBE.
1t Was in the beginning Of November, in tht
year 1921, that four members of the Weimal
court-orchestra (3luEc- Director Goetze, first VIC
lin Amad. Mueller, second violin; Haase, cello
and the writer of these lines, yio1a). engaged tt
meet at the Priyy-Councillor Goetho's, wore. by o
servant, ushered into the weli-known frontroom
Stands prepared for us occupied rlace by the
| craud piano. Upon tho instrument there lay a
bundle OF manuscript music. Curious. rs I
always have been and am yet, in these matters, ]
turned orer the pages and read, "studies in
Double -Couuterpoint :" another part WAS
inscribed, ''Fugues:" third, 'Cauons." Then
camo 'sQunrtett for piano, with accomPani-
mcnt for riolinH, viola, and 'cello.' Under each
inscription stood the name
FELIX MISREPRESENTATION
The notes we're written in q firm, g1acefu
hand, and, as far as could observe at 3 hasty
| gl.nce, manifested the hsndling of thoroughly
| educated artist TAe name Mendeissohn, as
| musician, WAS unknown to Us.
While We wcre p1opa1atorily tuning OUT instru-
| ments to the piano, tall man entered, who,
according to his still military department. might
have been some officer. To me, however, he
was not strange. had visited him the year be-
fore in Borlin. It was Prof. Zclter, the famed
Director OF the Berlin Singing Academy, Goethes
true friend and crony.
He greeted us pleasantly, and me as ''o1d &C.
qunintance." ~ have, gentlemen" he began.
"to beg favor OF you. You will become &C.
guainted with 12-year-old lad, my pup1l, Felix
Iendelssohn- -Bartholdy. His technical finish as
pianist, and still more his talent in composition
will probably transport you into enthusiasm.
Now, the boy is OF peculiar na-
turc All the d;1ettante applause has
no effect upon him; but the judgment
of musicians he listens to eagerly, aud accepts
every word as bright, genuine coin !; because the
boy is yet too inexperienced to properly decide
between good-natured encouragement and .
fairly-earned recognition. Therefore, gentle
men, if you should become excited to song Of
praise, which always desire and fear, condnct
It in moderate tempo not too nolK1y 1nstru-
1nerteJ and in G major, the du1lest Of nlf keys
Tins far have protected him from vapity aud
conceit those cursed enemies OF ali artistic
| progress"
speech,
FELIX CAME BOUNDING n.
A handsome. blooming bog, with decidedly Jew
iBh cast Of featu-es slender aud supple, black
curle descending to his neck Soul and life
eparkied from his eyes. He eyed Us cufiousIy
for moment, and then, tr1stingly, and in q
/ friendly way, shook hands with us Ike old &C
|, qulintapcee+
srea Nn fer cur taTsreeta aI' s1.S end a
said be- pointing to Zelter, '*has brought with
him Young Berliner who this day surprised
us greatly as yirtuoco. Now We arc to know
ii d IS composer, for which I beg your assist-
ance Now let us hear: my child, what yonr
yonne bead has produced-'' During these words,
Goethe stroked the long hair Of tho boy.
Without more delay. he divided the parts. took
the piano. Zelter stood behind Felix to turn the
leaves, Goethe few steps on one side. his hands
behind his back. Tho little composer cast
fiery glance at us; wo raised tho bow; and, at q
Goethe heard all parts with tho most intense
attention, without making any other special re-
| mark than an occasional !" Good after part.
or Excellent" which he accompanied by an ap-
proving, friendly nod. Considering Zelters
| Warming we also manifested to the boy, whose
face, during tho progress Of his play, Redeemed
more and moro, our appreciation only In glad
! dcned looks.
AS tho last part came to N end, Felix sprang
from his seat, and
ouEsr1oS1SaLY EXAMINED OUR FACES
in turn. He doairod to hear something Of his
| work Goethe, however, took the word, prob
ably instructed By Zclter and said to Felix,
| "Brave1y done, my son! The faces OF these
gentlemen tpo1n1loe 70 usj speak Flalu!y enough
| tina. your product has pleased them right we'll.
Now. go down III the garden. where you arc
awaited; take respite, and cool youraelf of,
for you burn like I. fame"
| Without moro ado. the boy rushed out OF the
| door.
! As We fastened our looks inquiringlv upon
Goethe, to ascertain whether VIC were released,
| no said: IL Remain yet a little while, gentle
men my friend and wish to discover your
views upon the child composition. ~"
/ &So %3.nrn md ~nff
| whose special course canuot indicate after so
| many yearB MS, alas! I cannot discover anght
concerning it in my diary. Some expressions
have nevertheless remained in my memory, NJ
nv closer relations to Mrndclssohn in after
times gave frequent occasion to recollect that
fist mcetlnS.
Goethe dep1ored that we only learned to know
the little one through h1s q1artette- playing.
Musical prodigies." said he, :. with regard to
technical finish, arc nowadaya not 20 raro but
what this little man accomplishes in
|. 1s1rEov1s1Sa AND stdnr- PLAYING
borders on tho miraculous, aud did not deem
it possible for one OF such an ago."
:" And you heard Mozart in Frankfort, in his
7th year !" sald Peter.
"Yee, answered Goethe; "at that time my
SELF only counted u years and, with the rest Of
THE world, was astonlshcd at his de1terity. But
what your pupil even now accomplishes csn
tile developed speech OF grown person is to the
At all events" eaid Zelser, }augh1ng1y, as
itreGatds fnger-work, the conccrtos with which
Mozart in his time amazed the world Felix exc
cutes at sight as easy child's play, and without
missing note. But that nnny others can now
do. concern myself about his creative talent Il
Turning to us: "What is your opinion Of his
luartcttcompositioh = -
Upon our side the full conviction was e1-
pressed that Felix produced much moro indie
pendent thought than Mozart did at the same
age who, at that time, did not invent; but
gaze clever limitations of other music. Upon
this VIC should be permitted to infer that, in this
bog, the world would receive second Mozart in
an improved edition; and tho stirer as he reyeled
in good health, and all his external circumstances
| were go favorable.
"11ay it be !" said Goethe. "But who can
tell how soul eau develop itself in its career
Ne have seen quite often hon much-promis-
ing talent entered false paths and deceived our
greatest expectations. However, from this the
bog will be protected By
| Ills TEACHER, zELrEE.
to whom good luck brought him"
II am il, thorough earnest NTH the young.
eter," said Zeltez, ''and, with his untramuelst