El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-06-28
Writes His Own Requiem
Mozart, Weak and Sick, Sets Exam
Die For Industry and ITi-
umphs Over Obstacles.
-Hr Mnlf.nn q. Referg
BY Madison c. Peters
THANN WOLFGANG AMADEUS Mo-

v)HANN WOLFGANG AMADEUS MO
HZART. whom Rossini described as,
~ not only the greatest, but the only
musician in the world, was born IN
salzburg, in 1856, the son Of viollllst
At three, he began to play and even to
compose: at five he took part in pub
lie operate performance and at SIX was
exhibited as an infant prodigy In all the
courts Of Germany. The child was as
delicate as he was. precociOus- He was
small for his age. his hands and feet
we're tiny, but well shaped From seven
to II the young genius was engaged III
q lone series Of Journeys over Europe
T1avi6e with his father and sister In
the cities and at the COurts OF Germany
Austria Holland. Italy and England
In London ne remained 10 months
EVERYWHERE the marvellous boy aroused
the greatest enthusiasm, playing on
three instruments. composing elaborate
pieces and imprOvising to the wonder
Of all Such musical precOclty- by
common consent, had never been wit
messed.
becomes Physical wreck
IN a lad of such delicate frame, these
years Of travelling and performing 49,
a great strain and he became a pnysloel
wreck. a frame so light ana worn, II
seemed as if a puff of wind Would
5Io+- him ayav. He came home so i'll
II was thought he would die AT ~ ne
had assimilated and exhausted every
thing that music had TO teacn- he n-u
produced lasting works in every de-
partment Of his arr
spent the remainder Of his sad ana
suffering life. In spite of enthusiastic
admiration warm friends royal patrons
and his own incessant producuyeness,
his DAYS I'm the Austrian capital were
one series of poverty and disappolnt-
ment He was so poor that at times
he suffered for the necessities. he was
always suffering in body, subject 70
nervous headaches so that he would
have to lie down during the day These
led to dizziness and fainting fits so
frequent that he was afraid 10 accept
ENGAGEMENTS lest he should drop upon
the pIatfOrm. Nausea and vomiting
were daily occurrences. yet this sub
lime genius struggled on, composing
immortal songs. symphonies, sOnaJas
and operas which then and since have
delighted the world
Marries in Vienna.
Mozart was not long in Vienna when
he added to his troubles by marrying
COntanZe Weber, a well intenuOned
affectiOnate Eirl, but prominently lack
ing the economic habits to keep the
thriftless and sicllly genius from trOu-
bIes and want Their married life was
one constant confusion The young
composers income from teaching was
his concerts he appeared before the
courts. the mobiles paid in applause for
his performances He made brave et-
forts. with invincible determination. to
find fixed employment and under
never ceaSing physical suffering the
greatest Of musicions was allowed to
live from hand to mouth on the pro-
ceeds of occasional lessons and chance
concerts. as he himself put il in a
letter to a friend-'alway lowering
h aF
His Greatest Work.
After inccSSant rebuffs and while un-
derEOing mental and bodily pain he
produced "Mozze di Figaro" in 1886
the piece which marks the high tide
Cf his genius 1t was received with
delight, but as far as financial reward
for the genius went, it might rs wei
never have been written. Next year
he produced another masterpiece. Don
Giovanni" which brought him $500. In
1871 he undertook his last opera. the
~Zauberflote." or Master Flute. which
was not well received After this he
to compose Requiem" Though
scarcely able to be around he under
took the task. which proved his own
requiem Sickness. worry. poverty and
overwOrk had all but completed their
grim task in ending his sad life
Writes His REQUIEM.
Painting fits. at times. lay him IN
such coma that IL was Thought his
brave spirit had hidden farewell to
his frail body His 2rCSenrfucnt e---
pressed to his wife. that he was writing
the requiem for himself proved true Tt
was never finished. though he labored
on it in bed. consumed with fever On
the last day he tried to sit up in bed
to 90 over the score. but he fell back
on his pillow in tears I'd to midnight
he continued to give directions and was
seen. in delirium. to be putting his
cheeks to initiate the action Of the
drums. BY one o'clock in the morning.
December .. 1871. ne was no more. Tho
next day. with, a paUDer'S funeral
without music and friends. Mozart was
laid in common grave in St Marks
churchyard Vienna. Research has faf1a6
to identify the exact spot. nor can his
bones be found Thus passed or. at 50
the genius who, Win ut a shell Of q
BODY, 50 trained his mind as to give
10 the world for Hn time its master
pieces in every department OF music.
vocal and instrumental