The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-15


the names. III, re- MI ia. sol, Ia. were used 10 IN
dictate the six notes OF the scale; the seventh, 81,
was only introduced into the musical scale at a
The Importance OF tnis innovation, or rather
invention, Is readily understood; At determined
the lntonatlon OF every Gote II enabled must
clans. singers, composers ana instruments! OF
al countries TO understand eacn other; II intro
duced one and the same language INTO the mu-
sica world and therefore /. was radical reVo-
luton
From this historical sketch we have space but
for one other extract, longer than we usually yen-
ture upon but still one every word or wnicn Will
repay Derusal 1T is the story OF MoZart:--
While the musicians mentioned above were at
the hei- ht OF their glory Europe resounded with
tue lame OF young man wno even at I'VE years
OF age, was distinguished pianist, and two years
later u composer. Mozart was now IN Paris for
the second or third time. Introduced 10 Grimm,
and TO Noverre, 7rlaire-de-ballst at the Royal
Academy as well AS to Nine. d'Epinay ami several
other distinguished persons, tins young musician
sole or his COMPOSITIONS ia their presence.
For this purpose he placed in the hands OF
Legros, director OF the classical concerts. SYM
pnOny written Tor the most eminent lnstrumen-
talists OF the age. Predictions were Freely eX-
pressed on the part OF Mozart's patrons; every
Que seemed 10 be favorably inclined toward him;
they even talked already OF permanent engage
ments: but all these good words were, so to speak.
empty promises. Time passed, no engagement was
formed The hour for lulhlment never arrived.
What seemed stlll more strange and provoking
was tnat they ala not even degn TO nave tue score
oil the symphony copied. though 1t nad Oeen re-
ceived by tile public with something IKE enthusl-
asu. MOZarL QSQedrteQeu Dy SIX uluulHS utlty
ana vexaton, had no lurtner strength to plead his
cause. He could not even endure remaining
longer IN Paris ms trials ana dlsapp0 ,,
he mad been living. decided him to quit this
capital where he had dreamed OF gaining SO mncn
fame. He set out on September 20, It's, after
having written to mis- iaiher. who was In Germany,
these bitter and neart-rending words:-''lf only
there were one person here who had ears to near
and heart to feel" He returned 70 salzburg, his
native country. where he lived IN state border
ing on misery. Worn OUT, discouraged and en-
feebled, he would surely have yielded TO despair
mad not an unforeseen circumstance revived his
spirits.
Charles Theodore, the Elector OF Bavaria,
invited him to come TO Munich and write the
music for a grand opera to be brought out at the
Italian Opera IN that city 1t was a real stroke
OF fortune. Mozart lett nls home without delay,
set TO work at once ana AZ the en- o. several
three acts. This work which resembled neither
the itaiian, German nor French schools IN It's
melodies, was cons dered as verbally new begin.
ming IN the art OF music. 1t was accorded most
favorable reception.
Alter TINS success he composer received divers
offers. The one made by the NOBLE Archbishop
OF Salzburg was ertained IN preference to all
others: II admitted OF the musician retaining
his residence in MS tive town, when he loved
oevotecly He entered at once into the service OF
his Holiness. TINS preate, although a prince as
well as archbishop, was coarse and avarlclous.
He thought by having musician OF genius about
his person ne but added one more servant to mis-
present rerlnue. Therefore he TIED 70 force him
to eat III company with the domestics OF tue
household. Mozart, feeling his dignity as an
artist wounded, endured this Illumination Tor some
tlme but realizing fully his own worth be hnay
broke the yoke 30 lmprudcntly assumed. Recall
ing the reception that had been rendered MN IN
his very childhood by the members OF the imperial
Court OF Austria he tooK the road TO Vienna, and
sera j. ar tSs Conrt o. the imperor Josenh ii.
Tais work met with brilliant success, and now
prosperity. or rather peaceful contentment,
seemed 10 fall TO the lot OF the composer.
''rhe Marriage OF Figaro" an opera IN four acts,
followed TINS ballet; and this opera, so mucn
admired ut the present day, was not as well known
tGen as 1t Is now. we should remember that MOTH
ing OF all That had been heard IN musical works
before MS day could give the least idea OF this
matchless composition.
Wealth OF thought, grandeur and richness in the
iul and varied accompa nine ats all combined 10
the perfection OF work when marks an epocn
IN the artists me- as wen as forms an era Ia the
history OF dramatic music.
Exhausted by overwOrE, Mozart made journey
to Prague. There he remained a whiie. ald con.
tlnued his work. out very soon returned to Vienna,
the OF his triumph. In this city ne composed
mis- last opera, masterpieces OF all masterpieces,
the Immortal work, Don Juan"
Mozart. whom late seemed 70 pursue, lived con-
stantly In the greatest anxiety and trouble, spite
OF all the triumph and renown that he had gained.
He could have been spared pecunary annoyance.
1t Is true. Tor the King OF Prussia made the most
enticlng and advantageous proposals 10 induce
MIN to come 70 mis- Court; but the artist, being
londly attached to the Emperor OF Austria, &C.
cllned the honor disregardful OF the advantages
that would accrue from the acceptance and sent
q positive refusal. The Emperor OF Austria, Luz
formed OF Aozarrs devotion 10 the Court and 10
himseii personally, expressed MS grat1cation, or
rather, perhaps mis- gratitude, by making the
artist the most nattelng promises. But KIND
ingless ana deceitlui; once mace, they are 5000
forgotten. The lot OF the composer continued TO
be as uncomfortable as heretofore.
Forced WORK, the anxieTies and cares OF LIE,
produced a serious change IN Mozaft's health.
trouble with tae chest Was Drougnt on, and symp-
toms ioreshadowed the END which, II not near.
was none tue less sure. Mozart, urged on by his
genius, devoted himself to the severest work with
unparalleled energy, disregardiu! OF physical
suffering.
lie brought out two operas in quick succession
one III two acts, called ''Cosl Ian Tutte" and the
following year another, that pleasing composition,
lull OF grace and sparkling ideas, and written IN
an entirely different style rom his other composl.
tlons, '.Tne Magic Flute.n These Two operas, IKE
those preceding them met with the greatest favor
from the public, and added much to the celebrity
OF the artist.
The strength Of the nlustrious master was
exhausted Dy TOO constant Application and con-
without becoming extremely iatigued; he suffered
also from depression ana WEAKNESS when often
threw MIN Into the deepest melancholy. HIS wile.
all devotion, moved oy the deepest tenderness
and love, made iruitess Efforts to divert Gin
hun out; she even went 30 lar as to take away
his music paper and mis- rough sketches, hoping
thus to hinder his Working: VAN efforts
became everlsny eager 10 transfer TO paper the
iaeas winch were crowding ms brain aud the
emotions watch filled his near. melancholy
wnlcn he was unable TO throw on darkened his
Whole lie. One day. when he was more sad tnan
usual and ABSORBED IN gloomy thoughts, an
unknown person came to AIS house and asked TO
speak with him. "slr" said the stranger, when
he entered Mozarts presence. "some one has lost
q very Dear friend, aud desires to pay homage 10
his memory by having an annual service per-
formed, Tor which he begs you to nave the kind
ness to compose Il requiem.n owing to the mood
in Which THIS solemn visitor happened 10 ind HIM
Mozart eagerly accepted tue offer.
"How long before you can complete the work Y''
asked the stranger. ''In one month" ''Wnat
price shall you ask ?" zone hundred ducaLs.n
"Here they are" said the visitor, aud withdrew.
Mozart set about the Work. IL would soon
have been completed had his attention not been
diverted Tor time and new direction given to
his thoughts.
The emperor Leopold H. was to be crowned
King oil BOHEMIA, and on this occasion there we're
TO De splendid leasts and ceremonies Mozart
was commissioned oy the managers VI the theatre
OF Prague to write the music o. an opera oil Metas-
uasio, sLa ClemeZa di ITO" TINS order, coming
In the month OF August, 1871. was accepted by
the musician. lie stralghtway set TO work, and
one month later, on september l5 he wrote the
last notes OF the music OF this almost colossal
opera. This prodlgious effort oil his creative
genius tended to Increase the disease, and con-
sequently the feebleness OF the composer. Eager
to lul1i his engagements ne Quilted Prague aud