Wichita eagle., 1889-08-13
MUSICAL ANECDOTES.
Little Stories About Popular Composer
and Performers.

Little Stories About Popular Composer
and Performers
An English book of musical anecdotes re-
lates Of Beethoven that when he was boy
and PLAYED the organ at BONN caxcomb,
tinually boasting Of his powers and pro-
disconcert him. Beethoven made wager
with him that be would bring him to stand
still while he was singing. Accordingly at
one Of the services In Passion week. while the
singer was warbling in approved fashion,
Beethoven, by gradual aud adrolt modula-
ton, landed the singer on note from which
he could not rise higher, or do anything out
leave off, The failune of the singer and his
confusion, too, were complete Chokng
with rage, he complained to the elector OF
such conduct from mere organist; but the
elector beard both sides OF the tale, when ne
warmly reprimanded each party to the sult'
adding that IL one was more to blame than
the other that one was the singer, for his
meanness in complaining Of bis antagonist
after having himself been party to the
wager.
Neil Cow, the fiddler, was fond OF his
whisky, and seldom went travelling without
frequent ''revivers" One morning ne had
an appointment with a noble patron at Dun
keld, but at the stated hour did not arrive at
the castle. The duke waited till he was
obliged to drive of to keep another appoint
ment. On the road he met the fiddler, stag
gering. "Ah, Neil" said the patron, Its a
long road to Dunkeld this morning" "Ah,
ma laird" said the fiddler, Its no the
length, but the breadth"
When Fischer, the oboe player, who was
remarkable for oddly, played concertos at
the grand concerts given fifty years ago at
the Rotunda in Berlin, noble lord who had
been enraptured with the talent he displayed
came to him and, after having compliInented
him, gave him pressing invitation to sup
with him the following evening, adding:
| you'll bring your oboe with your Fischer,
who was little nettled at that sort Of invi-
tation, hastily replied: my lord, my oboe
never sups."
Michael Kelly was a pupil of Mozart, but
the masters tuition only made moderate
vocalist and a third rate composer OF Kelly.
| He was a useful singer. more than great
one, and as Q composer prolific In quantity,
but slight and sketchy in quality. For some
years be made good living out Of his pro-
fessional duties, but things began to fuctu-
ate, so Kelly turned his eyes in another di-
rection, and finally embarked In business as
wine merchant. His friends joked about
this step, but none more sothan Sheridan,
who suggested that the inscription over the
/ door should read thus: Michael Kelly, COM
poser of wine and importer Of music"
Handel's most faithful friend and admirer
of his music was George II, who more than
Y once advanced him sums Of 81, 900 to carry
on his unfortunate undertakings. Lord
Chesterfield presents the above state OF
things in few words. An habitue met his
lordship coming out of Covent Garden the
atre one evening in the middle Of perform
ance. what, my lord, y said the dilettante,
"is there not an oratoriof' YES" replied
Lord G. They are now performing, but
thought it best to retire lest should disturb
the king in his privacy. "-St. Louis Globe
! Democrat