Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)

, when every promotion to a higher class had been accompanied by a special reward. This is accounted for by his having, during the las

tistic progress, and creative power, exhorted his parents to let their son hav

lassic masters, in the larger European centres of life and intelligence. His parents, therefore, resolved to send their beloved son to Vienna or Berlin, if only for a few weeks, at the very first favourable opportunity. One soon offered. In 1828, Professor Jarocki, having been

as a pianist or composer. An opportunity was offered him of meeting Spontini, Zelter, and the youthful though famous Felix Mendelssohn, but he did not venture to present himself before these celebrated maste

on from church music. The performance of Der Freischütz, with which bewitching opera he had already become acquainted in Warsaw, lik

s at a little village on his way back, when he played at t

tist speak for himself, only making such altera

s Woyci

eptember

est

natic, for I really do not know what I am about. I am actually starting for Berlin to-day! There is to be a philosophical congress at Berlin-after the model of those held in Switzerland and Bavaria-to which the King has requested the University to invite the most celebrated European natura

a friendly footing with the director, Herr Zelter. I learn from a good authority in Berlin that I shall have an opportunity, through Lich

end spending a fortnight with Jarocki, but this will give me an opportunity of, at any rate, hearing a

d my last Rondo in C m

tz?s,14 and it came out pretty well. We in

inished Trio (G minor) which I began after your departure.

not yet returned, Jedrzejewicz will remain some time longer in Paris.15 He was there introduced to the pianist Sowinski,16 who wrote to me to say that he should like to make my acquaintance, by correspondence, before he comes to Warsaw. As he is assistant editor of Fétis?s Revue Musicale, he would be glad to be informed about musical a

shall leave Berlin, a five

s ever; the excellent Zywny is the

uggage is already packed

nts and sisters send kind regards and sincer

soon, however briefly. I

ur

DER

FROM BERLIN T

, Tues

y belove

Sist

d Professor Jarocki took me to Herr Lichtenstein?s, where I met Alex. von Humboldt. He is not above the middle height, and his features cannot be called handsome, but the prominent, broad brow, and the dee

nd regretted that we had not arrived a few days sooner to have heard his

r I have neither seen nor heard the young lady. The day we arrived there was a performance of "

(I could not refrain from making some caricatures, which I have already classified.) The dinner lasted so long that there was not time for me to hear Birnbach, the much-praised violinist of nine years. To-day I shall dine alone, having made my excuses to Prof

for I wandered among the beautiful streets and bridges for two whole days. You shall have a verbal description of these, as, also, of the large and CONSIDERS BERLIN A STRAGGLING CITY. decidedly beautiful castle. The chief impression Berlin makes upon me is that of a stragg

s library, containing, as it does, the most important musical works of every age and country, is, of course, of more interest to me than any other collection. I console myself with the thought that I shall not miss Schlesinger?s, and that a young man ought to see all he can, as there is something to be learnt everyw

capital of the Hohenzollerns in good health and spirits. Our travelling companions were a German lawyer, living at Posen, who t

diculous, egotistical complaints. Quite unwittingly, the good lady amused me immensely, for it was as good as a comedy

but the scrupulous cleanliness and order which everywhere prevail are very

fessional gentlemen might cast questioning glances at a layman like me, and ask, "Is Saul then among the prophets?" I fancied, even at the dinner, that my neighbour, Professor Lehmann, a celebrated botanist from Hamburg, looked at me rather curiously. I was astonished at the strength of his small fist; he broke with ease the large piece of white bread, to divide which I was fain to use both h

in ladies dress well; their clothes are handsome, no doubt,

r fondly

DER

eptember

tly enjoyed all these performances, but I must confess that I was quite carried away by Handel?s "Ode on St. Cecilia?s Day;" this most nearly approaches my ideal of sublime music. With the exception of Signora Tibaldi (alto), and Fr?ulein von Sch?tzel, whom I heard in "Der Hausirer," an

cket of admission. I was in such a capital place that I could see and hear everything, and was quite close to the Crown Prince. Spontini, Zelter, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy were also there;

reply, "Aye, that is His Excellency Baron von Humboldt." You may imagine, my dear ones, how thankful I was that I had only uttered my question in a whisper; but I assure you that the chamberlain?s uniform changes even the countenance, or I

ld, therefore, read the letter without any trouble, he begged Professor Jarocki to translate it into German, while he wrote it down in his pocket book. Falkenstein, an agreeable young man, is secretary to the Dresden Library. I met, also, the editor of the Berlin Musical Gazette; we were introduc

ever l

DER

day, Septembe

?scherin" (the laundress), but wishing to express herself in a more refined manner, she says, "la vache" (the cow.) I count among the great events of my visit DINING WITH THE NATURALISTS. here the second dinner with the naturalists, which took place the day before the conclusion of the Congress, and was really very lively and entertaining. Several very fair convivial songs were sung, in which all the company joined more or less heartily. Zelter conducted, and a large golden cup, standing on a red pedestal, in fro

wo days at Posen, on account of an invitation from the Archbishop Wolicki. Oh, how m

mly affe

DER

any interest, and still more their incessant smoking, (almost unendurable to Chopin) made them very disagreeable. When one of the gentlemen announced that he

meal-the post-house being also a restaurant-but Frederic, as if drawn by a magnet, went into the next room, and saw-oh, wonder of wonders!-a grand piano. Professor Jarocki, who could see through the open door, laughed to himself when

for several days in a diligence, suddenly, and quite unexpec

began his Fantasia on Polish Songs (op. 13); the traveller, a German, stood like one petrified, captivated by this music, so new and bewitching; his eyes mechanically followed every movement of the pianist?s delicate hand; he had forgotten everything, even his beloved pipe, which went out unheeded. The other t

melodies; everyone was listening in rapt attention to the elegant arabesques sparkling from his finger

immediately surrounded by his audience, who exclaimed with one voice: "Go on, dear sir, finish that glorious piece, which we should have heard all

he postmaster, "I will give you couriers? ho

lmost threatening him with an embrace. What could

expressed it, in which all united. One of the company (probably the town cantor) went close up to Chopin and said, in a voice trembling with emotion, "Sir, I am an old and thoroughly trained musician; I, too,

s that the house contained, not forgetting some good wine. The postmaster exclaimed, wi

Mazurka, Frederic prepared to go, his gigantic host se

interesting virtuoso, whispered to her, "Things often go very unfairly in the world. The young gentleman is carried into t

strels who went from town to town with their harps and received good cheer as their honorarium, he had played at Züllichau for cakes, fruit, and good wine; and assured his most intima

learned man as Jarocki, but, being a musician to the backbone, he was better able to appreciate the eminent talents of Chopin; he regarded him as a kindred spirit, whose superiority he gladly recognized. Most

father?s house, and his love of art summoned him back to his studies. The last miles seemed end

ted on the towers of Warsaw, the nimble horses flew along the street, the coach stopped at the door, th