Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-30
How Gounod Became a Musician

In his interesting "reminiscences which have just appeared. Gounod gives the fol- lowing entertaining account of the way in which as a lad he won the freedom to devote himself to music: My poor mother was distressed; she knew very well what the life of an artist was. and doubtless she feared for me a second edi- tion of the little favored existence which she had shared with my father. She went up to the principal, M. Poison. and ex- plained her trouble. The latter relieved her anxiety. Fear nothing, said he your son will not be musician. He is an industrious little fellow; he works hard and his professors are satisfied with him. l will look after him. You may make yourself comfortable Madame Gounod; your son will not be a musician
 My mother went away delighted Shortly afterward the principal called me into his private office.
 Whats this hear. my child?' said he, you want to be a musician?
 " Yes, sir.
 Come, come, don't think of such a thing. musician has no profession
 What, sir said l. "a musician has no profession. And Mozart and Rossnir As I said this I felt my little 14-year-old head toss backward. At that moment the expression of my interlocutor's face changed.
 "Very we'll, said he, we can easily see if you are fit to be a musician. For the past ten years have had my box at the Italians, and I am a good judge
 Immediately he opened his drawer and took out a sheet of paper and com menced to write some verses.
 "'There, said he, take that and put it into music
 "I was delighted. I left him and re- turned to class. On the way I ran over with feverish anxiety the verses he had just given me. It was the romance of Joseph, "A peine au sorti del'enfance.
 ''I knew nothing about Joseph or of Nehul, and consequently I was neither troubled nor intimidated by any recollec- tion. One can easily imagine the little ardor I felt for my Latin theme al that moment of musical rapture. At the fol- lowing recess my composition was done. In haste I ran to the professor.
 What is it now, my chfld?' said he. Sir, my composition is done.
 What! already"
 "'Yes sir
 Now, let's hear you sing that for me-
 But, sir, it will be necessary to havs piano accompany me- q knew that there was a piano in the next room.)
 "'No, said he, it is not necessary; we won't need piano.
 But. sir, will need it for my har- mones'
 What your harmonies. And where are they, these precious harmonies?'
 Here, sir said l. putting finger on my forehead.
 "'Well, never mind, sing on I will be able to judge without the harmones.
 q saw that it was useless to desist and that must obey, so I sang.
 T was hardly through with the half of the first strophe when I noticed that the expression of my judges eye had bean softened. That encouraged me. I be- gan to feel that victory was coming to my side I continued with confidence. and when I had finished the principal Said to me: Now, let us go in to the p!- ano.'
 r From that moment triumphed. had all my arms in hand. recommended my little exercise and at the close poor M Poison was conquered. With tears in his eyes he took my head in his two hands, kissed me and said: Go, my child; compose music.