Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-11-07


the most difficult fugues on the harp |
sichord without the least hesitation
and with the greatest possible preci- |
sion. II Is said that Mozart met with !
his greatest success in singing the
Nlserere. II had such an effect upon
his own mind he ever afterwards was
inclined to a solemn style of music.
When Mozart was rs he wooed and
won the wife who reinspired his am.
bition. Soon after his marriage he
produced the opera Idomeneo, which
he always considered as among .-.-
best works. Leaving Munich, Mozart
settled in Vienna, where he entered
the service OF the emperor and there
spent the remainder of his life The
anecdote related of him that in one of
his journeys to Berlin the king, Fred
erick William H., offered him 5000
crowns per annum If he would remain
at his court and superintend his or
chestra. Mozart replied:
Ought to quit my good EMPEROR
Notwithstanding, at this period he
had no fixed salary at Vienna. One
of his friends reproached him for his
imprudence in not accepting so advan-
tageous an offer; he replied:
II like to live In Vienna, the EN-
peror is fond of me, and don't value
money"
The death OF this great genius took
H. "a -
when he had not quite attained his
S6th year. He was an indefatigable
composer and produced In the last
few months of his life three master.
pieces, one of which was the Magic
Flute. At this time he began to have
fainting fits. He was partial to his
opera of the Magic Flute. His now
enfeebled health precluded the posi-
bility of his leading the orchestra
more than nine or ten first presenta-
tions. When he was no longer able
to be present he would place his watch
by his side and appeared to mentally
follow the orchestra, and would say:
There is the first act over" He
would continue: Nov they are sing
ing such an air." etc. and thena fit
of melancholy would seize him and ne
fancied his end was near.
A singular incident accelerated the
effect of this fatal presentiment. says
one of his biographers. And as the
incident was the occasion of has COM
posing his famous Requiem. one of his
masterpieces. the reader will pardon
some detail concerning 1t.
One day. when Mozart was plunged
In a profound revery. he heard a car
riage stop at his door. A stranger
was announced who begged to speak
to him.
A middle-aged man, well dressed,
and Of noble and imposing appear
ance, was then shown in.
IL am commissioned, sir" said he,
addressing Mozart, "by person of
rank to call on you"
who is that person?" interrupted
Mozart
Gle does not choose to be known"
replied the stranger.
very we'll; what does he WISH"
"He has just lost n friend who was
very dear to him. and whose memory
he must externally cherish; and, in.
tending to celebrate her death by a
solemn service every year, wishes you
10 compose requiem for the occa-
sion"
Mozart was much struck at the
grave manner and tone of voice in
which the address was pronounced.
and with the mystery which appeared
TO envelop this adventure. He prom
Used to compose the requiem. The un.
known continued:
Exert all your genius in this work;
you will labor for connoisseur in
music"
$50 much the better"
How long will you require to do
lit?"
"a month"
"Very we'll; I win return in Il
month. How much will you charge
for the work."
"a hundred ducats."
The unknown counted them imme-
diately on the table and disappeared
|
moments in profound reflection: then
suddenly demanded a pen. ink and pa.
per; and, Notwithstanding the remon.
strances OF his wife, began to write.
This rage for composing continued
several days. He wrote almost day
and night with increasing ardor as he
advanced; but his health, already fee
BILE, could not support this enthusiasm,
and one morning he fell senseless on
the floor which obliged him for time
to suspend his labors. Two or three
days afterward his wife, endeavoring
to divert his attention from the mel.
ancholy ideas which possessed it. he
replied quickly;
81 am persuaded that | am compos.
Ing this requiem for myself. Il will
do for my funeral service"
Nothing could dispel this idea from
his mind.
As he continued HIS work. he felt
his strength diminishing from day to
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