The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-12-19
SOME EARLY MUSIC MASTERS.

It is doubtful if there has been any music pro-
duced during the past twenty thirty years
which will be played twenty thirty years hence.
Maybe some of it will last some of it is worthy of
preservation and we would not predict that it will
not. But today the music of Beethoven occupies a
place in every musical library, whether it be Ii
brary of photograph musician, pianola musician or
one who has learned the art by hard knocks
Beethoven in his prime hundred years ago.
He was born December II, 1770; lost his hearing
completely about 1900, and died March 26 1927
Franz Schubert the Immortal melodst" whose
songs every music lover has enjoyed, and which to-
day probably better known than they were dur
ing Schubert's life, was born in 1877, and died in
1928, so it may be said that Schubert lived as
musician hundred years ago.
The year 1909, however, was notable one in
the musicians annals for it was in that year that
two of the worlds greatest musicians were born
Felix endelssohn-Bartholdy on February ). and
Frederic Francois Chopin Oh March l. Two must
clans COULD hardly have been of more opposite
temperament than these, Mendelssohn a German
and Chopin Pole Mendelssohn's music is char
acterized by an exquisite finish perfection of de-
tail and harmonious proportions, while that of Cho-
pin is weird in its melody and strkingly peculiar
in its rhythm and harmony. Both deservedly occu-
ply high place in the roll of the worlds great mu-
sicians
Mendelssohn's early life was of the most pleas
ant character His parents were refined and edu-
Gated people, and while only small boy Men
delssohn showed an aptitude for music which was
generously encouraged by his father and mother
Jn had two ono ~, H.
other the piano. At the age of eight years he
could play at sight, and compose little songs which
we are told were of more than usual merit for
small boy To encourage the boy in what early
grew into his one great ambition, his father hired
young orchestra for Felix to direct. In 1926 at
the age of fifteen years, he composed the opera
midsummer Nights Dream" from which the
well-known wedding march so familiar to June
brides, is taken. After tour through Scotland
England Italy, France and Germany he became
musical director of the city of Dusseldorf In
1885 he moved to Leipsic where he married Cecile
Jean Renaud in 1887, and where he lived almost
until his death. He established the
at Leipsic, which institution made
that city the musical center of the world and it
occupies very high place today in musical edu-
cational affairs. Memberships sister. Fanny. to
whom the musician greatly attached died in
1847, and it is said the sensitive of the young
man not, capable of withstanding the shock and
that his death from apoplexy was a result of the
great grief he endured He was not yet thirty
nine years of age when he died on November 4
lS47
Besides the midsummer Nights Dream" Mem
lelssohn wrote much that is today held in the high
est regard by musicians and music lovers Among
lis best-known works his "Song Without
Words" the oratorio Elijah which is very pop
liar in England, and his oratorio St Paul" besides
several concertos for the violin, first concerto for
he piano, the third symphony and the Spring
Song" His vocal quartettes and songs are among
he most charming contributions to the music art.
Chopin was probably the most accomplished pi-
mist of his day, though he seldom appeared in
oublic performances He is best known through
lis concertos, waltzes, nocturnes preludes and ma
urkas for piano. He wrote little for the orchestra