Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-07-15
THE POWER OF MUSIC
Bv ELSIE 3. HARRISON.


is mingled with a weird philosophy,
and when united with romance TO-
gether they are capable of producing
marvellous effects on the human soul.
Such effect has been produced not only
on Germans, but Oh music lovers OF
every country by the opera OF Faust
1t probably appeals to more people
than any opera ever written, and, while
other stories in music come and go,
that of Faust Marguerite and Mephis-
tophcles remains.
But there are deeper effects pro-
duced on only few by certain music
to which the souls of the millions are
not attuned, just as we can conceive
of an ear so delicately constructed as
to hear the grass grow.
Friedrich Nietzsche, an eminent
German philosopher, has declared
there is that in some music, most nota-
bly, the works of Wagner and Tsciai'
kowsky, that produces baneful ef-
feet on the brain and nerves even 10
the extent Of causing tragedy.
One evening three music lovers IN
Berlin were entertaining themselves
by playing together snatches from the
great composers. They were Carl
Becker Bertha. his wife. and Hein'
rich Twingler. Becker played the vl0'
lin, his wife the piano and Twlng'er
the violoncello. Becker bore on his
face. in his eye, in his whole makeup,
evidence that he was born to music;
his wife was fair haired. blue eyed
woman of a gentle disposition, while
Twingler. devotee OF science, looked
as If he would be capable Of any sac
ritce in its cause.
Let lis have the Sixth symphony.
he said.
pained look shot across the face OF
Mrs. Becker. NO. no." she exclaimed:
mot that one! don't like it,
Twingler fixed his eyes upon her.
There was cold, deprecatory look III
them.
And why don't you like it, he
asked.
0ufl never Tue uA'Si p'o'''S
it. He is always so melancholy
"Well, if your husband Is not man
of sufficient vigor of will to resist the
influence of Il few harmonious strains
we shall have to choose something
else"
I'VE will play the Sixth Symphony"
said Becker. getting out the music ana
putting it on the rack brfore him. The
others placed their own parts in posi-
ton. Becker tapped with his bow. ana
they began to play. Now and again
Mrs. Becker glanced aside from her
score at Twingler inquiringly. Had he
ANYTHING to do with the effect pro-
duced on her husband when he played
this symphony? No; Twingler was ev-
idently absorbed in his own part.
Then the wife began to look anxious
ly at the husband. His violin seemed
a human being. alternately signing,
smiling, moaning. laughing. The vio-
lnist's fac. especially his eye. the
souls window, expressed all these
moods III turn, but always turning TO
melancholy His wife was troubled.
Toward the end the sounds grew more
and more painful till Rockers inslru.
ncnt finally gave what seemed to be
the wall of a broken heart
The violinist stopped turned ana
looked at the others. His wife cow
cred before his glance which was that
of melancholy demon. TWlnGler
coolly drew Il covering over his violon.
cello folded the sheet music before
him, said good night to the other two
and took his departure.
Becker went to his room. His wife,
instead Of undressing. sat in her own
room adjoining her husbands LISTEN
ing. Twice she arose. put her hand on
the knob of the door separating her
from him as If to go in to So0the MN.
but each time her resolution failed
Ter. she feared to excite him further.
Suddenly there came from his room
sharp report With shrek she threw
cpnn the door and saw her husband
| iry on the floor. the blood ooZing
from his temple lie never spoke
again
A few evenings later Heinrich Twin
ycr stood before II meeting of philo-
sophie society of which he was menl-
Der t. address his fellows.
You are probably aware" he said.
"that | In @ l'etu studying the inu-
eIcr of So nds on the human brain.
1Ic fact that TSchaiHOwSky destroyed
himself after composing his sixth sym
phumy does not prove that his work
led him 10 DO SO. II has been report
al that So raj persons have uird ny
their own ha'lGS after playing II. n!id.
as v,lI know. ii is called the suicide
symrnony.' I,ut have never been
able to get any confirmation Of these
rrpnrts therefore determined IN
the cause Of science TO sacrifice If nee
a. arg enc of my personal friends.
After playing this Sympt1ny with him
several liMrS concluded that If he
continued 10 play II he would probably
Kill himself. / few evenings AGO IN
duvrd him 10 Play II with me and his
Y fr. who. ncing aware OF It's effect on
him. clUlr very near defeating my
purpose by uhiccting and during the
rcl.Gnriug stopped short in her part.
II was not necessary fer me to inter
frrr. fer her husband WAS by this time
50 affected 10y Ts"haikowSky's re-
uArkahlp work that h" dominated her.
aNd she proceeded. was deeply inter
rSlnd in the marvellous influence of the
symphony over the subject, giving n
power Of expression that | have never
been co2niZant Of In any one before.
At midnight after the rendering he
shot himself.
II regret the sacrifice both to him
and his wife. but in the fatherl1nd we