Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-07

erick William IL, offered him 5000
crowns per annum if he would remain
at his court and superintend his Or
chestra. Mozart replied:
Ought I 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:
Il like to live in Vienna, the EN-
peror is fond of me, and I don't value
money"
The death OF this great genius took
place on the 9Th of December, - 30
when he had not quite attained his
36th year He was an interchangeable
composer and produced in the last
few months of his life three master
pieces, one of which was Tie 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
tons. 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" HI
would continue: Now they are sing
ing such an air etc, and thena fl
of melancholy would seize him and he
fancied his end was near.
A singular incident accelerated the
effect of this fatal presentiment, saws
one of his biographers. And as the
incident was the occasion of his com
posing his famous Requiem, one of his
masterpieces, the reader will pardon
some detail concerning it.
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.
4 middle-aged man, we'll dressed,
and of a noble and imposir 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.
"He does not choose to be known,
replied the stranger.
very well; what does he wish?"
HE has just lost friend who was
very dear to him, and whose memory
he must eternally cherish; and, in
tending to celebrate her death by &
solemn service every year, wishes yor
compose a requiem for the occa
sion"
Mozart was much struck at The
grave manner and tone of voice II
which the address was pronounced
and with the mystery which appeared
to envelop this adventure. He prom
| Used to compose the requiem. The IN
| known continued:
Exert all your genius in this work
you will labor for a connOisseur il
music
$50 much the better"
How long will you require to d.
it,"
"A month"
Very we'll; l will return in
month. How much will you charg
for the work?"
"A hundred ducats."
The unknown counted them immt
diately on the table and disappeared
Mozart remained plunged for som
moments in profound reflection; the
suddenly demanded a pen, ink and pi
per: and, notwithstanding the remol
strances of his wife, began to writ
This rage for composing continue
; several days. He wrote almost da
: and night with increasing ardor as
advanced; but his health, already fe
). BILE. could not support this enthusiast
!, and one morning he fell senseiess c
y the floor, which obliged him for tin
G to suspend his labors. Two or thr'
;. days afterward his wife, endeavoril
| to divert his attention from the nj
n ancholy ideas which possessed it,
replied quickly:
t az am persuaded that l am compt
d ing this requiem for myself. 1t W
# do for my funeral service"
n Nothing could dispel this idea frc
N his mind.
m AS he continued his work, he f
n his strength diminishing from day
Y day while his score advanced slow
w The month he had requested havi
ut expired. the stranger one day sudd
ly reappeared.
lie II have found it impossible s.
IL Mozart, ito keep my word"
H. ct is of no consequence" repl
On the stranger. How much more ii
ed do you require"
te- "A month. The work has beco
re more interesting than imagined,
have extended it to a much grea
length than l had at first intended
on 'In that case it is right to augm
~ the price. Here are so ducats mo,
ch, Sir" said Mozart, more astonis
an than ever, who are you, then"
ally, THAT has nothing TO dc win
The subject. I shall return within
JUS month"
ent Mozart Immediately called on
ne his servants and desired him to fol
as this extraordinary man and find
eel who he was; but the awkward S
ted ant returned, saying he could
OF trace his steps.
arp Poor Mozart now took it into
ION head that the unknown was not a
eel ing of this world, and that he
With heen sent to warn him of his
the preaching end. He applied
pom greater diligence than ever to hi