The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-01
THREE GIANTS TN
MUSICAL LITERATURE.


by Mrs. Abbie Gerrish- Genung, at
tracted considerable attention, and we
have been requested to publish 1t III
full:
Three giants in musical literature
Gluck, Mozart and Beethoven, giants
not of stature but of intellect, with ilVes
strangely similar in some respects,
widely dissimilar in others, an
three have attained the summit Oh
fame in the divine mistress OF
all arts, music. All suffered as
needs must be-. since from the
bruised flower arises the sweetest per
fume; all tasted the worlds adula-
ton, felt the sting Of her envy ana Jedl-
ousy, and only by the supreme strensth
of love of art for arts own sweet sake
were they enabled to rise above all Cd
stacles and pursue their way unfalter-
ing to the end.
Gluck was born on the ID of July,
1714, at Wiedenwang. village OF the
Caprische Obersalz. He was the son Oh
a forester, and in childhood had occa-
sion to steel himself bodily and mental
ly for the warfare which in later years
was waged against the power or lash-
ion and prejudice. When an OLD man.
the Chevalier de Gluck, or as among ms
German compatriots he was more Ia
miliarly called Der Ritter Won G1uck,
he loved in friendly converse to recall
those early days when he and his broth
er followed their father barefoot to the
forest Dreaming in the deep shadows
of the woods drawing inspiration ana
strength from the sturdiness Of those
giant trees, listening to the melodies
woven by the rustling tree-tops and the
chanting of myriads of birds, nature 5
own musicians, unconSciouSly a sense
of music awakened in the bOy-the en-
bryo musician that was to be. There
was no indication, however, of a special
gift, nor would it have received any en-
couragement had there been, since the
father was extremely practical and gov
erned his childrens education according
to his lights Later, when his father,
taking service under the Grand Duke OF
Tuscany, he removed to Eisenberg, the
Gluck children began to derive the ad-
vantage of a better education, and here
young Christoph had his first msplra-
ton. since in all Roman Catholic coun-
tries the scholars are obliged to take
part in the musical part of the service,
receiving both vocal and instrumental
instruction Here he learned TO play
both violin and violoncelio with passa-
Bile skill. In 1926 his father placed him
in a Jesuit college at Kommautau DO
he1nia) and among the advantages de-
rived from his sojourn there, the IN
struction he received upon piano and or
gan is of the greatest importance. But
the violin and cello always renamed
his favorite instruments, his comfort
and support during years of study ana
wandering In 1872 young Gluck
bravely took his staff in hand and
turned his steps toward Prague that he
might learn more in music and science.
Here he taught the cello and singing,
and from this on. through years of trial
and adversely bravely met, he steadily
rose to fame, holding many important
positions, finding favor with crowned
heads and becoming a composer OF merit
and renown. In 1850 he married the
daughter of a rich Venetian merchant
named Pergin, and the joy of unclouded
welded happiness was his undisturbed
till his death.
F'orceful, strong and energetic of dis
position he ranks with Handel as a
director, and among the musicians OF his
day he took first rank. In possession OF
a considerable fortune and loaded with
honors, he passed the last years of his
life in Vienna in comfort and ease. OW-
ing to an iron constitution he recovered
from a severe illness the year following
his final departure from Paris, and his
adherents in that city did not relin-
quish the hope of seeing the master
again in their midst, but this hope was
dashed to the ground when in 1854
Gluck suffered from a stroke of paraly-
SIS. From this he recovered, but a sec
ond stroke three years later put an end
to his earthly career In his death the
whole artistic world shared the heavy
loss sustained by art. Vienna, in par
ticular. honored the memory Of heI
celebrated citizen with imposing funeral
services. when his DE Profundis" came
to light. as we'll as other treasures OF
his mind, to which he had devoted his
constant and most loving care.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born
January -, 1856. was the seventh and
youngest child of Leopold Mozart. who
was himself known throughout Europe
as a thorough musician and composer
dence at an extremely early age of his
wonderful genius. At he sought thirds
upon the keys of the pianoforte, ano
music was a part of every childish
plav. When gathering up his little toys
to convey them from one room to an
other before it could be successfully
accomplished, someone must sing OF
play a march. At 1 his father began tt
teach him little pieces, and at this age
he also composed a pianoforte concerto
clearly conceived, but of unsurmounta-
Bile difficulty At he wrote minuet
which he dedicated to his father This
was followed by others, all written II
natural but absolutely correct har-
mony.
I'D to the age Of 10 he could not en-
dure the sound of a trumpet. His sense
of pitch was extraordinary. The fathel
watched this astounding precocity viii
loving fear. and prayed that he NIGH
be wise enough to direct it. At the
young artist began to make his appear
ance before the public with his sister
Maria Anna. who was then a pianofOrt'
virtuoso. and everywhere the Mozar
children were received with open arms
They appeared before the Austrian i'm
periaI family, who were passionateiN
fond of music. Francis l. was a distin
guished connoisseur, and Maria There's
was a pupil of Wagenseil, as well as al
accomplished singer. The courtier
were astonished at the display of ge
MUS. The Emperor spent hours il