Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)

had always shown a great desire for knowledge. But when the time approached for him to pass his final musical examination before a small critical circle, he worked almost beyo

ds, and he was highly delighted at the prospect, although his father and al

aimed, "Here I have been leniently judged by kind-hearted compatriots; but what am I t

our, the reputation of being the greatest living pianist. Chopin was acquainted with his compositions, and thought very highly of them. He greatly admired his classical style of playing,

t was new to him, and, if possible, to have intercourse with the masters of his art. He never dreamt that the

n, in company with his friends Celinski, Hube, and Franz Maciejowski (the last na

nd the Jagellons and Ojcow, the so-called Polish Switz

ng is a faithful transcription of the

August 1

ly love

Sist

private carriage at Cracow, in which we were very comfortable. We were able to enjoy to perfection the picturesque sce

ll-luck would have it, Herr Indyk lived a full mile outside the town; our coachman did not know the way, and drove us into a little brook, as clear and silvery as those in the fairy tales. Right and left were walls of rock, and we did not find our way out of the labyrinth till nearly 9 o?clock, when two passing peasants good naturedly conducted u

the mistress go into the next room for linen for our beds, I instinctively followed her, and finding on the table a pile of woollen Cracow caps (they are double woven), I bought one, tore it in half,

says, that King Lokietek27 took refuge from CHARMED WITH CRACOW. his enemies, at the end of the 13th century. Frederic was very enthusiastic over everything he saw, but Cracow and the neighbourhood appear

August 8

w how to make me sufficiently welcome; he showed me all the musical novelties he had, made his son play to me, and apologized for not introducing his wife, who had just gone out. In spite of all his politeness he has not yet printed my compositions. I did not ask him about them, bu

ll; Schuppanzigh, to whom I have letters of recommendation, informs me that although his quartet parties are over, he will try to get a gathering before I leave. I have only been once to Herr Hussarzewski

and begged me to play on it at my concert; Graff,

t, by all means, play it yourself. Herr Blahetka, a journalist, whom I met at Haslinger?s, also

attering notice. Würfel is of opinion that, as my compositions are to appear now, it would be advisable for me to give a concert, otherwise I should have to come again, but that the present would be the best time, as the Viennese are longing for something new. He calls it un

kind and amiable, but I should prefer to use one of Graff?s i

duce me to Charles Czerny. Up till now I have heard three operas, "La Dame Blanche," "Cenerentola," and Meyerbeer?s "Crociato." Orchestra and chor

. They are trying to persuade me to spend the winter h

bandmaster, Seyfried, and others of his influential acquaintances, and those who are ARRANGEMENTS FOR A CONCERT. interested in music. He declares I shall not leave Vienna till I have given a concert. Count Gallenberg is very pleased with this, as I shall play at

collection of Elsner. People here are surprised that Kessler, Ernemann, and Czapeck should live in Warsaw with me there too, but I tell them that I give no lessons and only play

ous help. Do not be an

ondly

DER

esday, Augus

he evening, I appeared before a Viennese public for the first time, at the Imperial Opera House. Here, an evening concert in t

ing was th

e, by B

aria

Fr?ulein

acovi

, in con

he rehearsal that I was obliged to subs

e been pleased, for I was overwhelmed with applause. One reason for this may have been that the Germans know how to appreciate free improvisation. I am now doubly obliged to Würfel, for without his support and encouragement I should never have accomplished the daring stroke which has succeeded so well. I shall be able to relate my experiences and impressions by word of mouth better than I can now. I w

ticism, and that, too, from a lady: "A pity the youth has so little presence." If this is the only sort of blame I am to receive I cannot complain. My friends swear they heard nothing but praise, and that, until the

hmiel."31 The public, to whom this kind of national melody is quite unknown, seemed

imagine how I came to play there. He was here just now to congratulate me on my good success. At Carlsbad

long conversation. There is an almost unanimous opinion that I play too softly, or rather, too delicately for the public here. That is to say, they are accustomed to the drum beating of their own Piano virtuosi. I am

, came on to the stage yesterday, and had a long talk with me in

then, in concert with the public, they applauded heartily, which showed their good opinion of me. I do not know yet what

plans, but must trust somewhat to chance. So I trusted to my good fortune and allowed myself to be persuaded to give the concert. If the newspapers cut me up so much that I

pproves of my playing at all? But I was so besieged on all sides that I had

ed the orchestral parts, and was sincerely pleased at the applause I received. I p

ast letter with a strange seal. I was absent-minde

ie

ondly

DER

August 1

ed to be with

praise me enough, he was so delighted with my playing. Würfel took me to him

e Count Dietrichstein?s coming on the stage to me. Countess Lichnowski and her daughter, with whom I drank tea to-day, are quite delighted that I am going to give a second concert on Tuesday. They invited me to visit them if I pas

re he should have in becoming acquainted with such an artist, and said, "You really delighted and enchanted me the day before

ho is very well disposed towards me, and is sure to write a favourable critique. I cannot tell you how kind and pleasant Würfel is. I shall play gratuitously the second time also, for the sake of obliging Gallenberg, whose finances are not very flourishing. (But this is a s

really so filled up that I have not a moment to spare. I wish to thank M. Skarbek, who was one of t

er affe

ED

August 1

me on to the stage with three long rounds of applause. The financial manager-whose name I cannot remember-thanked me for the

Germans. Yesterday, one of them, who had just come from the theatre, sat down to eat at the table I was sitting at. His acquaintances asked him how he liked the performance. "The ballet is pretty," was his answer. "But the concert, what of that?" they asked. Instead of reply

ving Vienna so quickly, I must come again soon. I answered that I should gladly return for the sake of further improving myself, to which the Baron replied, "that for such a reason I should never need to come, for I

ould learn it all in Warsaw. I answered that the greatest

of the Editor of the paper to which I have subscribed, and which B?uerle35 will send to Warsaw. I expect they waited for my second performance before giving

to talk over. I would have written of something quite different, but my head is so full of yeste

go again to Haslinger?s, and then to the café opposite the theatre, where I am to meet Gyrowetz, Lachner, Kreutzer, Seyfried, and others.

FRE

rday, August

congratulations to you both on having such a son; young Stein wept, and Schuppanzigh, Gyrowetz, in short all the artists were deeply moved: after this tender farewell, and giving a promise of returning soon, I got into the diligence. Nidecki and two other Poles, who wer

ay, having to go to Haslinger?s. After many hearty wishes for a speedy meeting, Haslinger promised, most solemnly, to bring out my variations in five wee

Gresser, and others. He was in Warsaw two years ago, and had now just come from Paris. His name is Normann. He was a very agreeable gentleman and a capital travelling companion. We are in the same hotel with him, and have resolved, when we ha

pon Hanka,37 to whom Maciejowski had a letter of introduction; I regretted afterwards that I had not asked Skarbek to furni

rge and old-fashioned, but handsome in the g

, five from Würfel and one from Blahetka, to Pix

sharply criticised, I shall take care not to perform in this place. The five letters from Würfel are to the Theatre director, the bandmaster, and other musical celebr

. I shall introduce myself as godson of Count Skarbek, an

FRE

August 26

gue Museum who have received any special attention from Herr Hanka, we had to write our names in a book kept for the purpose; we found among others the names of Brodzinski, Mocawski,40 &c. Each of us wrote whatever occurred to him in poetry or pro

iews of Prague for Skarbek. I cannot possibly tell you by letter all that Herr Hanka showed us. I must describe, verbally, the lovely views, the majestic cath

is lessons, kept me at his house, and asked me about all sorts of things. I noticed Klengel?s visiting card on his table, and asked i

ked. Klengel?s playing pleased me, but, to speak candidly, I had expected something still better. (I pray you not to mention this to anyone.) He gave me an introductory letter with the following address: "Al ornatissimo Signore Cavaliere Morlacchi, primo Maestro della Capella Reale;" in which he begs this gentleman to make me acquainted with the whole musical world of Dresden, and in particular to presen

ays in Prague were ove

iately went to call on him. He was very glad to see me, and told me there were several Poles here; among others he mentioned old Pruszack, Joseph K?hler, and Kretkowski, from Kamiona. Lempicki told me that they generally all dined together in the "German hall," but that to-day he was invited to Prince Clary?s Castle. This Prince belongs to one of the most distinguished of the Austrian princely families.

nd other relics. In the evening, instead of going to the theatre, I dressed and went with Lempicki to the Castle. I put on my white gloves which had already done duty at the Vienna concert. The company was not numerous, but very select: an Au

d established themselves at a table, immediately whispered to each other "un thème, un thème." Three pretty young princesses, after some consultation, referred to a Herr Fritsche,42 tutor to Prince Clary?s only son, and he suggested the chief theme

de Friesen, Ma?tre de Cérémonie de S. M. le roi de Saxe, pour lui être utile pendant son

e best pianists I have heard." I copied this literally

h them the next day. Lempicki offered to accompany me to Warsaw, if I remained a day or two here, but

sden at four in the afternoon, when we met Lewinski and Lebecki. Everything has happened very fortunately for me throughout t

ermitting, not without seeing the Saxon Switzerland. We hope to spend a few days in Breslau, and go direct home from there. I am longing so much to see you again, my de

n just now, but he would find out who was his deputy, and do all he could to show me something worth seeing during my short sojourn. Whereupon many bows and stammered thanks on my part. My next let

all. The performance began at six, and lasted till eleven o?clock. Devrient,45 whom I saw in Berlin, acted Faust. A fearful but magnificent conception. Portions of Spohr?s Opera, "Faust," were performe

d n

FRE