Hutchinson gazette., 1897-12-30
MUSIC FOR THE EMPEROR.
4 Pathetic BIT Of History Concerning
Frederick william Of Germany.

Frederick william of Germany.
A charming and pathetic bit Of his
tory concerning the Emperor Frederick
William Of Germany, who died in 1888.
was once written by Mr. 3. Won Ha-
gen, and entitled "The First and Last
Adagio." In substance the story ran as
follows:
In 1874 the future emperor Of Ger
many was lad of 19. One day as
Reichardt, his music master, was about
to leave him at the close of lesson, the
young prince asked him to wait mo
ment.
"Herr Reichardt, said he, "my IA
theirs birthday, the 22d of March, will
soou be here, and DR.. Curtius thinks it
would be very nice if were to learn
new piece as a surprise for him on that
day. Will you kindly choose something
that you think might do? Only, mind,
it must be very difficult, so that papa
shall see / have taken great pains, as
that will please him more than any
thing else. What he likes best is one of
those soft, slow pieces with a great deal
of expression in it, ~
Herr Reichardt turned over his mu-
sic, and by and by paused moment as
if considering whether certain piece
would answer the purpose.
"Have you found me somethingT
asked the prince
81 am afraid your royal highness is
hardly far enough advanced, replied
Reichardt, "This is so very difficult. II
is the adagio from Schumann's sonata
in F sharp minor, but it won't do, |
fear. There is so little time in which to
learn it, "
"Ah, but Herr Reichardt, " broke in
the prince, II will work so hardl Do
please let me have it, 1t must dot
shall do :"
By dint of great trouble and persever-
ance the task was finally accomplished,
and OH the 22d of March the young
prince played Schumann's grand move
ment quite correctly and with much
feeling, to his fathers great surprise
and pleasure.
As IL reward for his industry Prince
Frederick William received turning
lathe fitted up with every necessary i'm
plement, aud great was his excitement
and delight.
Forty-four years later the beloved
Emperor Frederick lay dying in the cas-
tie of Friedriohskron. During the last
few days of his life he was unable to
speak, but his family and those around
him interpreted his signs, so that he was
almost entirely spared the trouble of
writing.
Four days before he died, when tho
empress inquired if there were anything
he wished, he waited a moment and
then, with both hands, initiated the
movement Of IL pianist.
"Will it not be too much for you?"
asked the empress, The emperor shook
his head and then wrote on his tablet:
81 should so like to hear some music.
Could not Rufer, Victorias master,
come and play something?"
A message was sent, and the composer
of Merlin" came at once and seated
himself at the piano in the room next to
the emperor's, the folding doors having
been opened, He played piece after
piece, to the emperor's evident pleasure,
till at last the empress said to the in.
valid gently;
Are you sure this does not tire you?
l am so afraid the excitement may do
you harm. "
The emperor smiled and wrote ON his
tablet: "Just one more l should like
an adagio flom one of the sonatas. That
shall really be the very last "
The musician received the message
and again began to play. The sick man
beckoned to the empress and wrote
these words with feverish haste: "For-
ty-four years ago l learned this very
adagio and played it to my father Oh
his birthday, of course not so well as he
plays it. 1t is out Of the sonata in +
sharp minor. Very beautiful Please
thank Rufer This is the last. Now
will 60 to sleep"
1t was indeed the last earthly music
to which he ever listened-a tender
farewell from the art he loved most