New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-18
Il STORY or CHOPIN.
Hoe His Famous Funeral marc"
Vas Composed.
Paris. october To-


composed Several versions of the story nav
been related Ziem the well known painter nv
in the twilight of his career, who WAS jill
mate lifelong friend of Chopin, has peeh
viewed on the subject by several Parlsldi
nalists. 1t was my good fortune 10 ihe' 49,,
a few days ago. He seemed in exceiieh' "e''
His rosy complexion was heightened pS "
white hair and neatly cropped slINery O'
When questioned upon the subject OF Cn'Pi"
Funeral March" the veteran painter pe'"''
quite animated, and. talking to group oi Jul
nalists among whom was one editor Vi '
'Matin." recounted the circumstances of the
composition of the march which has become the
musical feature of two-thirds of the funerals
that take place in France. Ziem stroked MS
forehead with his hand as if to refresh MS
memory, and in a low, sympathetic voice be
gan his story. which very much as follows;
at was ffty-fve or ffty-six years ago. 1t waS
after a cosey little dinner in my studio Among
those present Chevendier de NaldroHe'
Ludre Prince Polignac. Ricard. the painter
Chopin and myself. In those days had some
fine old Aubusson tapestries of very large d.
mansions. These tapestries. hanging from the
beams of the building. separated the studio INTO
three rooms In one of the compartments was
a human skeleton, upon which L used to arrange
various costumes of silk. brocade velvet,
and which served as sort of model. Near the
skeleton q very poor. ric<ety piano. that
had bought for 40 francs from dealer in old
furniture 1 had sawed out four of the panels
of the piano to paint four pictures on them. 80
you can imagine that the piano itself little
more than a skeleton, and the keys ratified most
lugubrously. L had been lucky enough to have
sold half a dozen pictures that fetched what IN
those days were considered very high prices
I felt
galed my friends with sumptuous dinner, &C
companied by copous draughts of red and
white wine from the Touraine country. 1t came
into my head to perpetrate practical joke
/ was sitting with Ricard in the compartment
where the skeleton and the piano stood. L
wrapped long pieces of white and black lace
about the skeleton. and. pushing it between the
tapestries into the adjoining room, held it up
right, and agitated it as to give the appear
ance of a ghost, while myself concealed
by the tapestry hangings.
THE scene was grOtesque and provoked
newed gayety. The Touraine wine, poured forth
in profuson. caused phase of what may be de-
scribed sentimental intOxication. Prince Poll
gnac after a while seized the skeleton in his
arms. embraced it. and finally enveloped him
self and the skeleton beneath the same lace
wells. The effect decidedly weird and sug-
gestve of death. There were more bouts Of the
good Touraine wine. which contained 4 great
deal Of sunshine and effervescence. Polignac
now fairly glued to the skeleton, sat down with
Ii before the broken down, rickety piano. and,
striking the keys played impromptu but in
coherent, air. 1t was indeed drou to see the
skeleton of seated before the skeleton of
a piano. Chopin seemed greatly impressed by
the sight. He drank a goblet of white wine
known as win de VOuvray' and. as If seized
OH rushed at the piano. pulled PoIignac away
from the human skeleton. and, taking the skele-
ton in his hands. swung it over his back the
arms and hands hanging his own
shoulders. and the skull in juxtaposition with
his own head
'In this position Chopin sat and played the
rickety piano The first notes were so stirring
came silent. We enraptured by the music
Notwithstanding the wretched condition of the
instrument After listening for n few minutes
we burst forth into genuine admiration and ap-
plause. 1t was then that we realized that
Chopin had composed one of his finest works 1t
was a delightful and memorable evening | re-
member it as if it yesterday. All the other
composition of the famous Funeral March are
imaginative Congregations"
After Ziem had finished this interesting remi-
niscence of his old friend Chopin. he became
quite sad and emotional and babe us n some
what lorIorh farewell. c. L. 3.