The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-22
MUSICAL WHEELING.

The last Philharmonic Quartet con-
cert of the season OF lss6-s7 was given
last evening in the Carroll Club audi
forum, and attracted large and de-
lighted audience, The programmed
numbers were all by Beethoven, The
season of 1898 begins In two weeks and
the indications are that the Philhar-
monte will be supported with some
thing approaching the numbers and
appreciation that the organization de-
serves.
In commemoratlon OF Beethoven's
birth, the programme last night was
made up entirely of his compositions,
Ludwig van Beethoven was born at
Bonn, December l6 or II, ITO, At the
age of four years he began the study Of
the violin and clayier under his fathers
tuition, He was at first an unwilling
pupil; but, fortunately for future gem
eratlons, his father kept him at his task,
and during the next five years taught
him all that he knew of the art. When
he could teach him no more, he was
turned over 10 the care OF tenor singer
named Pfeiffer, with whom he remained
one year, He then studied the organ
under Van den Eeden and Neefe, the
court organist at Bonn, At the early
age Of eleven he was able to play the
greater part of Bach's Well-tempered
Clayler, work OF great difficulty, Neefe
said of him at that time, IF he goes on
as he has begun, he will certainly be-
come second Mozart" little thinking
that the boys soul was destined to soar
In attitudes undrcamt OF by any Of his
great predecessors In 1887 he went to
Vienna, to meet Mozart. for whom he
played, and showed such ability that
Mozart predicted that he would make a
noise In the world some day or other"
In 1892 he took up his permanent abode
In Vienna, where he studied with Haydn
and Albrechtsberger, whom he speedily
disguised with his hayward and ungov-
ernable temper. and disobedlence OF
rules. Indeed. his relations with Wen
nese musicians were never OF the kind
est; but the arlstocracy OF the Austrian
capital worshlpped at his shrine, over
looking his abrupt and uncouth man
ners for the sake OF his wonderful play
ing and unmlstakable genius
Previous to 1895, Beethoven had writ
ten number of unlmportant compost
tons: but the Trio for Piano, Violin and
Cello. op. /, No, !, which was given last
night, was the first one considered by
him 10 be worthy Of publication, and
his preceding works he destroyed with
his own hands The signs OF the coming
giant are apparent In this trio, and lis
melodlous qualities and mastery har-
monte treatment are captivating In the
extreme.
Beethoven remained In Vienna and VI
clnity for many years, during which his
fame steadily grew until he was the ac-
knowledged master of his art. His COM
positions were numerous, and increased
In Importance as his mighty genius de-
velopcd His wonderful mastery over
orchcstratlon Is shown by his great
symphonies and overtures of which the
best known are the Fifth and Ninth
Symphonies. the great Eroica, and the
Overture to Leonora. No. g." His So
natas for piano were thirtyeight In
number. and many Of them have become
household classics such as the "Appas-
slonata," the "Pathetlque,' tho Moon
light" etc His chamber music gave
him full opportunity TO display his mar
velous skill In the intricate and complex
handling OF thematIc work. and his So
natas for piano and violin, as well as
his string quartets, show his great
power IN this direction.
or Beethoven. as man, Il can bc said
that his personal qualities were as I'M
prepossessinE as his music was the re-
verse. He quarreled necessarily with
his best friends, being abnormally sem
sitive and quick to take offcnse al trlfcs
Some OF his most devoted admirers
ltnint1t uf Tina
with his violent and unreasonable dis
position. His suspicious and melan-
choly nature was not improved by the
loss OF his hearing. which, however.
may be urged MS some excuse for his
lack OF kindness and soCiability.
The whole atmosphere seemed filled
with music. To the left If The stage
was placed n crowned bust of the hero
OF the evening. and this fact together
with the exceptionally fine rendition or
his maGnlhcent music, could not help
creating the Intense interest noticeable
Throughout the entire evening. The
numbers selected for this celebration
were gems and the good work in each
was appreciated. but the audience was
aroused to an unusual pitch OF enthu-
siasm for a Philharmonic assembly at
the Interpretation OF the trio for violin
viola and violncello, which Throughout
all OF It's three movements, was cXqui-
sItely given by Professor Hermann
NJ. Schockey. Professor Edward Blum
enberE and Mr.. Fred Meyer This en-
thuslasm was even heightened during the
rendition OF the sonata No for piano
and violin. This number. as played by
Professors Schockey and BlumenbcrE