The record-union., 1897-11-08
Anecdotes of Musicians.

Like Mozart, Beethoven was pfe-
nomenal extemporiZer One day, after
a quintet by Steibelt had been per-
formed, he placed the violoncello part
upside down on his desk, and, from a
suggestion it thus presented, drummed
with one finger a subject from which
he evolved such performance that, be-
fore it was over, Steibelt, his rival, had
fled the scene and avoided him after
wards. On the occasion of his first
appear rance as a pianist he performed
the first concerto in C major, which
was finished in a great hurry on the
previous afternoon. AT the concert he
discovered that the piano was a half
tone fiat, but this did not seem TO dis
concert him much, for he settled the
matter by playing in c sharp-a great
feat, performed by Brahms, in like cir
cumstances, in connection with the
''Kreutzer Sonata" Scores of such an
ecdotes attach to the memory of this
truly great maestro, Beethoven. A
characteristic account is given OF the
Eroica, or Third, symphony. Composed
In 1904, It had it's origin in his admira-
tion for Napoleon, whom he looked on
as a model of Republican virtue. His
design was to call it the Bonaparte
Symphony. when the news came that
tfle First Consul had made himself an
Emperor The dedication was destroyed
in rage TO be replaced by the follow
ing title: "Sinfonia eroica per festeg-
glare il souvenfre dun grand uomo.'
OF Wagneriana there are volumes.
That is an entertaining story anent his
visit to Vienna. when Count Won Beust
dined him. The Chancellor was warn
ed that Wagner was to be serenaded
by the Prussian party, and political
considerations made ii desirable to
avoid a demonstration: but Wagner
could not be got rid Of SO the Chan
cellor suavely irH crested the great mu-
sician in autographs. and by simulated
accident turned up a revolutionary and
frebrand document which Wagner had
signed in 1S4S. There was no serenade,
for Wagner departed the next day.
Liszt was the subject of many after
dinner stories When in Russia. it is
said, playing before the Emperor and
the Empress, the former conversed in
a rather loud tone. Liszt suddenly
stopped. and bowling before the EN-
peror. said: Sire. when the King
speaks all should remain silent" The
Car did not relish the rash mot. and
List was handed his passports the next
morning.
Some interesting things are recorded
of Mozart, who, like Mendelssohn and
Beethoven, was great at Improvisation.
At a party of musicians one day he in
vited Madame Niclas, the vocalist of
his day, to suggest a theme. which she
did, and from the refrain she sang he
evolved a brilliant and charming fan
tasia. jain, in his Life mentions
that, when, as a child, he extemporized
song on the word "Perfido." he be
came very excited, struck the elavier
like one possessed, and several times
sprang up from his seat After re-
hearsal of his ''Idomeneo" writer says
the oboe and horn players went home
half crazy" SO delightful to the musi-
clans was Mozart's music; while during
the rehearsal of lie Nozze OF Figaro.
when Benucei was singing Mon piuAn-
draf' the orchestra and listeners We're
all az the same time so excited and en-
thusiastic over ii that they rose as one
man. crying, Bravo, bravo maestro;
viva, viva, grande Mozart" When the
composer Of the Immortal Twelfth
Mass produced his "Ensfuhrung aus
dem Serial" in 1IS2. the Emperor of
Austria expressed the opinion that II
was too fine for our ears. my dear
Mozart-too many notes." To which
Mozart replied: Exactly as many
notes as are required Your majesty