The Washington times., 1902-06-16
TRAGIC DEATHS OF
FAMOUS MUSICIANS
Strange Incidents Linked
With Their Works.
WALTZ KINGS SAD ROMANCE
Fatal Termination of Beautiful Wen
nese Counts Daughter, Who Spurned
Strauss - Incident of Mozart's Re-
quiem-Remenyi's Sudden End.

Recent advices from abroad telling of
the close association of child's death
with the well known song. Dolly Gray. -
revive interest in the demise of musi-
clans and the part played by music in
| their deaths. There are always any num-
/ Der of strange stories OF this kind cir
culated. many of them without the
slightest vestige of truth. but il is a
well known fact that certain songs and
other musical compositions have had
close bearing on the deaths of prominent
people.
/ One of the most pathetic incidents of
! the kind occurred in connection with the
composition Of the Sophie Waltz" by
the celcbrated Johann Strauss. Not only
the music world. but the world general
ly knows the Strauss compositions. their
beauty, Incompatible rhythm. dreamy
cadence and absolute distinctiveness
from other waltzes. Wherever played.
whether by large orchestras or by a sol
itary piano, their inexplicable charm is
felt. Ones eyes close ard the senses
almost reel in response to the poetry
aud undulating melody of the theme.
The name Strauss is a by-word not only
in Vienna. his home. but in every city
Of the civilized world.
Strauss Love Affair.
Ii was in Vienna, however, that the
great musician fell passionately in love
with the daughter OF count. Strauss
was engaged to instruct the counts son
on the violin and it was during a lesson
one day that he saw and loved the little
fellows sister She was an acknowledged
Vicnnese beauty, with eyes as blue as
the skies of Heaven and hair that Glis-
tened in the moonlight like FURNISHED
gold. For a long time Strauss repressed
his love for her, not daring to declare
himself to this high-born lady, but one
day, when he had finished the violin
lesson ard was talking to the young
woman his love proved too strong and
dropping on his knees before her he
poured out his souls passion.
His declaration not only met with
scorn, but Strauss was reminded of his
lowly position. reprimanded for his i'm
pertinence and informed that she was
Chamberlain.
Stuug to the heart, the musician went
away, and in a few days he received /
a commission from the young wOman's |
father to lead the orchestra at the
wedding and to compose a new waltz in |
honor of the bride-to-be. Into his new |
task Strauss threw his whole soul de-
termined that If he could not win her !
love he would at least solicit the pity |
Of the bride Every night when all the |
city slept the musician would take his !
violin, open his window, and there, with !
no witnesses hut the stars of Heaven, /
he would pour forth the very inmost I
longings OF his heart. His waltz, when (
was one continuous, pathetic /
wall of unrequited love.
Guests Spellbound.
The night of the wedding came. andi'
Strauss stood in the gallery directing I
the orchestra. All the evening the +
guests danced, Sophie, the bride. being
the incarnation of all that was beauti- :
ml. At intervals her eyes would wan
der to the gallery, always TO meet the
piercing. Iovelit gaze of the musician.
When midnight came Strauss gave the
signal for the new waltz. Bride. groom, =
and guests stood up ready to glide away /
with the first beautiful strains. but at
the first note everybody stood spell
bound. Strauss had written over two
hundred waltzes, but nothing like the
new wedding waltz had ever been
heard in Vienna. It's tone. its
rhythm. its soft. gliding theme fasci-
rated everyone. and to the bride that
night they told a story so pitiful. so
beautiful of a grand, glorious love. that
he could no longer doubt the sincerity
Of the gift she had spuTned.
In the early part of the evening
Strauss had led the orchestra with his
baton. but for the waltz he took up
his violin and its magnificent breadth
and beauty of tone rang out clear and
distinct above every other instrument In
he orchestra. It was that violin to
which Sophie listened as she glided off t
ln the bridegrocns arm. and il was
hat violin that sent thrill through
,yerybody in the great ballroom On
hey danced. and on played the orches-
ra while its leader seemed to be giving
way a drop of his hearts blood with
very note that came from his instru-
uent. .
Ends In Tragedy. {
ih'dllElUE tHdt II NdS ti' last tliHt
le would be permitted to address the
woman he loved, Strauss continued to ,
,iay, and gradually the beautiful girl ,
light came into her eyes (
not the light If pity Strauss had ex-
,ected, but the light Of a love and rev.
renee of which even she was ignorant +
lntll the true nature OF the man was
cyealed TO her through his wonderful /
'iolin. On she danced, unable to keep {
Ter eyes from the man in the gallery. |
nd on he played until suddenly the E I
tring OF his violin snapped. In that