The record-union., 1897-09-27
Anecdotes of Mnsioians.


viii engage TO do more in the future.
Anecdotes of Musicians.
Like Mozart, Beethoven was a phe-
nomenaI extemporizer. One day, after
quintet by Steibelt had been perform
ed, he placed the violoncello part up
side down on his desk, and from a
suggestion It thus presented drummed
with one finger a subject from which
he evolved such a performance that
before 1T was over, Steibelt, his rival,
had fied the scene, and avoided him
afterwards. On the occasion of his
first appearance as a pianist he per-
formed his first concerto in c major,
which was finished in great hurry on
the previous afternoon. AT the con-
cert he discovered that the piano was
a half-tone fiat, but this did not seem
to discCncert him much, for he settled
the matter by playing in C sharp-a
great feat, performed also by Brahms
IN like circumstances, in connection
with the 'Krautzer Sonata" Scores of
such anecdotes attach to the memory
Of this truely great maestro, Beethoven.
A characteristic account is given of the
ErOica or Third Symphony Composed
IL 4IDts IL iAcA AlS VI 4Slli ia Ills oiQilll-
ration for Napoleon, whom he looked
on as model of republican virtue. His
design was to call it the Bonaparte
symphony, when the news came that
the First Consul mad made himself an
Emperor. The dedication was destroy
ed in a rage, to be replaced by the fol-
lowing title: "Sinfonia eroica per fes-
teggiare il souvenire dun grand uomo."
a
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
consideration made it desirable to avoid
a demonstration; but Wagner could not
be got rid of. SO the Chancellor suave-
ly interested the great musician in
autographs, and by simulated accident
turned up a revolutionary and fire
brand document which Wagner had
/ signed in 1913. There was no sere-
made, for Wagner departed the next
day. How cruel was fate towards him
in 1879, when the Princess Metternich
influenced the Emperor, who ordered
the mounting of "Tannhauser'' on a
scale Of extraordinary magnificence. at
Il CbSt VI LC,tDO. n CdDdl Was QfSau-
lied by the Jockey Club in opposition
to the opera on the ground that it had
no ballet, and it only survived three
performances.
List was the subject Of many after
dinner stories. When in Russia, it is
said, playing before the Emperor and
Empress, the former conversed in a
rather loud tone List suddenly stop
ped and bowling to the Emperor, said:
Sire, when the King speaks all should
remain silent" The Gar did not relish
this rash mot, and Liszt was handed
his passport 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, aud from the refrain she sang he
evolved a brilliant and charming fan
tasia. Jahn. in his Life" mentions
that when as a child he extemporized
song on the word "Perfido." he be-
came very excited, struck the clavier
like one possessed, and several times
sprang up from his seat. After a re-
/ hearsal of his 'Idomeneo," a writer
says the oboe and horn players went
home half crazy" so delightful to the
musicians was Mozarts music: while
during the rehearsal of lie Nozze di
/ Figaro" when Benucci was singing
Non piu andrai," the orchestra and
/ listeners were all at the same mo-
ment 50 excited and enthusiastic over
lit that they rose as one man, crying,
Bravo, bravo, maestro; viva, viva,
grande Mozart" When the composer
of the immortal Twelfth Mass repro
duced bis "Entfuhrung aus dem Sc
rail- in 1882 the Emperor of Austria
! expressed the opinion that it was Ito
| fine fer our ears. my dear Mozart-too
many notes!" To which Mozart re-
| piled. Exactly as many notes as are
| required, your majesty" - London
! Standard.