Year: 1872

From Reynolds Newspaper.


Great as Mendelssoh was as a com
poser, he was far greater beth as a plan
list and an organist. Under his hands
each instrument discoursed" after a
manner as original as it was captivating.
Scarcely had he touched the keyboard
than something that can only be ex-
planned as similar to pleasurable cleo
tric shock passed through his hearers
and held them spell-bound-a sensation
that only dissolved as the last chord was
struck, and wher ones pent-up breath
seemed as if only able to recover its usual
action by means of gulp or a sob. An
anecdote relative to this feeling is told
by Sir Michael Costa. On one occasion
of Mendelssohn being in Switzerland, he
and Sir Michael met at the church Of
Frieburg, in which building the organ is
of such worldwide celebrity that few
persons-especially those who lay claim
to any musical taste-leaye the town
without going to hear it. At the time
referred to the custodian was somewhat
of bear, and most determinedly re-
fused, either for love or money, to per-
NIT any stranger to place his fingers
upon the keys, although he himself had
not the slightest pretension to the desig-
nation OF. an organist; and SO far from
showing the capabilities Of the instru-
ment, he induced very many to go away
under the impression that they had been
solo" and that all that the guide.books
have stated was nothing more than a
delusion and a snare.


Mendelssohn was resolved, by hook or
by crook, to ascertain what the Frieburg
organ was made of. For this purpose he
drew the custodian out, working upon
his weak points of character-for the
old man really loved the organ as if it
had been his child-but as to getting his
consent, that seemed to be beyond the
probability of realization. Every one
who ever had the good fortune to be ac-
quainted with Mendelssohn must have
been attracted by his winning manners,
his courteous bearing, and his manifes-
tation of decided character. Whether
he won upon the old man by one Of these
peculiarities of his native worth in
particular, or by their combination, can
only be inferred. Suffice it to say, that
after long parley he was permitted to try
one range Of keys. One hand be en-
ployed at first, quietly using the other in
drawing the stops, as if TO test the va
riety of their quality, and when he had
thus got out as many as seemed appll-
cable for his purpose, he made a dash
which completely staggered the old man,
and he began to play as only he could
play. The old man gasped for breath.
He clutched the rail against which he
was standing, and for an instant seemed
as il he would drag the bold intruder
from his seat. That impulse was, how
ever, only momentary; for he soon stood,
as it were, spell-bound, until break in
the gushing harmony enabled him to
make an effort to ascertain who the mas
ter spirit was that made the organ speak
as he had never heard it speak before.


Sir Michael Costa, at first scarcely
knowing whether it were better to smile
at the old mans astonishment, or to let
events take their course, or to enlighten
him at once, decided upon the former
course; but at this moment the old man
seized him by the arm and gasped out,
"Who, in heaven name, is that manY
But vixen he answered, Felix Mendels-
sohn Bartholdy," he staggered as if
struck by a tremendous blow. And |
refused him to touch my organl" he
.sorrewfuly said. But as Mendelssohn
began again to play he gave an i'm
patient sign that he should not be dis
turbed and listened as he never listened
again, as if some mighty spirit had en-
tranced him. The object gained, Men
delssohn spoke few kind words to the
old man, and so departed, leaving an
impression upon his mind and heart
that, without doubt during the time that
he was spared, was never for an hour
obliterated. a .rfrrg