Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)

VES HIS NA

me time to come. The brilliant success of his two performances in Vienna assured him that he really h

d a year ago. With his inborn modesty he was surprised that great musicians should marvel at his playing; he had, indeed, already the courage to defend his opinions when they differed from those of other musicians; but he always spoke with a certain reserve and courtesy, w

d feeling, the writing, as he proceeded, grew larger and more hurried. His Polish letters are pithy and natural, and often contain surpri

o the dear parents of the son who is in Dresden." He would often call his sisters "my children" (mojo dzieci), out of tenderness, and add some playful affectionate expressions. He

The grossest exaggerations have been current on this point, and, as is nearly always the case, more credence has been giv

ich might have caused death at any moment. This may have been the reason why Liszt describes hi

ples: a beautiful angel, with a form pure and slight as a young god of Olympus, with a face like that of a majestic woman fil

of a friend, from whom he concealed how short a time, he believed, remained for him on earth. He possessed great physical courage, and, if he did not ac

imagine daily "that the hour of his death was near." On the contrary, his cheerful letters, pervaded with the joy of youth, showed that Frederic had as good health as any other young man of his age. When travelling he saw all that was worth seeing, gave two conce

their only, tenderly loved son to travel abroad? Would they have consented to an absence of two years-which followed the earlier journeys-if the young artist had been troubled with a

n from a cold. It is true that after the manner of loving womanly hearts, mother and sisters very much petted their dear Frederic. There was no lack

e outer world, and avoided even his best friends. These were times of commu

piano without being pressed and play the most charming Mazurkas and other dances. If a bad player were at the piano, he would politely and pleasantly put himself in his place. In after years also, when he lived in Paris and had acqui

the artists, whose acquaintance he had lately made, were not all so amiable and free from envy as he had imagined; he, theref

ail to meet with bitter dis

l education, who was not puffed up with vanity, and had no thought of settling in the Imperial

noisseurs of pianoforte playing, truly musical souls, knew how to value the smoothness, certainty, and elegance of his style. The wonderful penetrating and melancholy expression peculiar to Chopin?s playing, found a response in all poetical minds. He was pre-eminently the pianist for poets, and

EAT JO

eptember

est

onth. I hoped that I should have been able to tell you personally of my GREAT JOURNEY, for truly and sincerely I should only be too glad to have

de so many demands upon me that I could not find a few moments to think of you and my family, Vienna so utterly stupefied and infatuated me, that, although a fortnight passed without my receiving a letter from home, I felt no longing for my friends. Just imagine my playing twice in

ink of it seriou

d is manager of the Vienna theatre, came in. Haslinger introduced me to him as a coward, afraid of appearing in public. The Count very obligingly placed the theatre at my disposal, but I was

ossible, therefore, to retreat, although I did not know how or what I should play. Three manufacturers proposed to send me pianos, but, owing to the narrow

great artists in Vienna, among them Mayseder,

cated to you, which were to come after the Rondo Cracovienne. The Variations were a success, but the Rondo, owing to the way in which it was written, went so badly that we were obliged to commen

(I don?t know why) to play under his lead. Herr Demmar advised me to improvise, at which proposal the orchestra stared. I was so much irritated by what

uge, who had turned over for me in the Variations, and plumed himself on having rendered the same service to Moscheles, Hummel, and Herz. I played, as you may imagine, in a desperate mood; the Variations, n

ecially pleased with the performance of the Rondo, because Gyrowetz, Lachner, and other masters, and even the orchestra were so delighted-forgive me for saying so-that they recalled me twice. I

this was on account of my style of playing, which pleased the ladies so much; especially Fr?ulein Blahetka. It might be that she is favourably disposed towards me

ly from that of the ordinary concert giver." I hope this is satisfactory, especially as the article concludes, "Herr Chopin to-day again received the most u

call them a continuation of Bach?s, there are forty-eight, and as many canons.) What a contrast to Czerny! Klengel gave me a letter of introduction to Morlacchi, in Dresden. We visited the Saxon Switzerland, so rich in natural beauties, and the ma

easure! They called out, "Pan Frycek, Pan Frycek;"46 it was so charming that I should certainly have stayed but for my companions. He

to be able to stop. I affectionately embra

FRE

October

est

stort, to my disparagement, the comments of the Viennese critics. The Vienna Sammler and the Zeitschrift für Literatur, from which Hube brought me the extracts, made the most flattering criticisms on my playing and compositio

ost polite manner, invited me to Berlin, and offered me apartments in their palace; but of what use would this be? I have begun so much work that it would seem the wisest course for me to remain

without exchanging a syllable with her of whom I dream every night. While thinking of this lovely being I composed the Adagio in my new Concerto,48 and early this morning the Waltz, which I send you. Notice the passage marked +, nobody knows of it but yourself

wonderful work. I go to Brzezina?s49 every day; he has nothing new but Pixis?s Concerto which made no great impression on me; the Rondo seem

heart is heavy, to have no soul to whom you can pour out your woes. You know very we

dream of travelling with you abroad. I do not know what

, as my kind father would like me to go to Berlin, for which, to say the truth, I have no great desire. If, as I trust, I go to Vienna, I

you would only write me a few lines, it would give me pleasure for several weeks. Forgive me for

FRE

further training. All agreed on sending the young artist for a longer sojourn abroad. Warsaw offered, indeed, little artistic stimulus to Chopin?s extraordinary abilities; he passed there for

end, Titus Woyciechowski, who now resides at his estate Poturzyn, in Poland, and who very kindly furnished these letters, we learn from Frederic himself how he pas

ctober 20

arest

g mania has suddenly seized me, and how it is th

port for a month. My idea is to return in about a fortnight. The object of my journey is to see Prince Radziwill, who is living at his estate not far from Kalitz. He wishes me to

eve that these invitations a

rget what I have written, and often fancy

ple, there were performed, last Friday: Concerto in C sharp minor, by Ries, with quartet accompaniment; then Trio in E major, by Hummel; Beethoven?s la

As for the Rondo I do not want any opinion on that at present, for I am not

n the morning, and how my spirits rose when I received your letter. I embrace you warmly. Many write this at the end of their letters and scarcely think about it; b

fai

DER

ay, November

est

pleasantly the time passed. I travelled back by the last Post, and had great trouble to get away. As for myself I could have stayed there ti

and kind-hearted; and the Princess, their mother, who knows quite well that the value of a man does not de

stopheles allures Margaret to the window, by playing the guitar and singing outside her house, while a Chorale is heard at the same time in the neighbouring church. This is sure to produce a great sensation. I only mention this to give you an idea of his style. He is also a great admirer of Gluck. In the drama, he only gives

e told when to play crescendo, piano, or pianissimo. Princess Elise was so much interested in my Polonaise (F minor) that I could not refuse to send for it. Please let me have it by return of post. I did not wish to be thought impolite, but I should not like to write it out of my head again, my dearest, for I should, perhaps, make it very different from the original. You can picture to yourself the character of the Princess from her h

f my portraits. I certainly would have sent it you if I could have stolen one from Princess Elise, who has two in her album, which, I am assured are

hould play them well in your presence. Last Saturday, Kessler played Hummel?s E major Concerto, at

fai

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March 27

on the receipt of your letter, I wanted to describe my first concert to you; but I was so distracted and busy with preparations for the second, which took place on Monday, that I was not capable of

was indeed rewarded with a bravo, but this was, I think, because the public wished to show that it knew how to understand and appreciate earnest music. In every country there are plenty of people who readily assume the airs of connoisseurs. The Adagio

ning. Ernemann was entirely satisfied. Elsner regretted that my piano wa

l where this power lay, so at the second concert I did not play on my own but on a Vienna instrument. This time the audience, again very large, were perfectly content. The applause knew no bounds, and I was assured that every note rang out like a bell, and that I played much more finely than before. When I appeared, in reply to a recall, they called out "give another concert." The Cracovienne produced a tremendous sensation;

second part commenced with the Rondo Cracovienne. Meier sang an air from Soliva?s opera, "Helene and Malvina," and, in conclusion, I improvised on the Volkslied "W-miescie dziwne obyczaje," (there are strange customs in the town) which very much pleased the people in the first rows. To be candid I must say that I did not improvise

mes from my Concerto. Brzezina asked for my likeness, but I declined giving it. This would be too much all at once, besides I do

"haute volée" have hardly heard me at all yet. At the last concert a stentorian voice called out from the pit, "Play at the Town Hall," but I doubt whether I shall follow this advice; if I play again, it will be in the theatre. It is not a question of PROCEEDS OF THE CONCERTS. receipts with me, for the Theatre did not bring me in much. (The cashier, to whom everything was left, did as he liked.) From both concert

d not told you anything interesting yet. I have reserved a

FRE

May 15

r letter by return of post; but as I could not immediately giv

r, pianist to the King of Prussia, has already been here a fortnight. He plays very finely, and being of Jewish descent, has many natural gifts. He has been with me; he is just sixteen; some of the things he played at our house went famously. His best performance is Moscheles?s Variations on the Alexander M

iately that I had often been asked whether he would not come, and that many musicians and lovers of music would be glad to hear his daughter; but I did not conceal from him that Sonntag would be here, that Lipinski was coming, that we have only one theatre, and that the expenses of a concert amount to at least 100 thalers. He canno

a does not begin in Vienna till September, so I have no occasion to hurry. The Rondo for the new Concerto is not ready yet. I have not

the eye resting on some much loved landscape which awakens pleasant recollections, such as a lovely spring moon-l

first time if I had to give my concert without you. You do not know how I love you. Oh, if

August 2

you. You will scarcely thi

at Count Skarbek?s, at Zelazowa Wola, I, of course stopped too, and in the hurry forgo

ay say, truly, that I recall it with delight; I always feel a certain longing after your beautiful country seat. I do not forget the weeping willow, that Arbaleta! Oh, with what

and her vocalization, even to the high F sharp or G, is excellent. Her nuances are wonderful, and if her voice was rather tremulous at first, through nervousness, she sang afterwards with certainty and smoothness. The opera was curtailed whi

opera of "Il Turco in Italia," which will be sure to please the public be

"Vestalin" would, perhaps, have been more suitable, but "Agnese" is beautiful also

what am

ust first try my Concerto,

August 3

n as I received it, I lost my catarrh. Would that my l

ain to go next month, in obedience to my calling, and my reason, which mu

because I had not heard it for so long, was satisfied with myself. "Happy man," you will say, won?t you? It then struck me that it would be better to use the Viola instead of the Violin, as the first string predomi

n the stage than any of our actresses. I scarcely recognized her voice at first, she was so agitated. But she acted so excellently, no one would have supposed her to be a debutante. Notwithstanding the encores and the enormous app

ares our opinion, that it is not easy to find a singer equal to Gladkowska, especially in the bell-like purity of her intonation, and true warmth of feeling, which are only properly displayed on the stag

y and presented your compliments to them, they were

he approbation is to be ascribed to the character which pleases the public better (captivated also by the young girl?s beauty) than the tragic misery of the unhappy daughter in Paer?s opera. Gladkowska is to appear

October

11th instant. Although this does not quite suit me, I am curious to know what effect the composition will have on the public. I hope the Rondo will produce a good impression generally. Soliva said, "il vous fait beaucoup d?honneur;" Kurpinski thought it contained originality, and Elsner an especial

y, but I had to go to a higher authority still: to the Minister Mostowski, who finally agreed, for it makes no differenc

it ready, the score corrected, the pocket handkerchiefs hemmed, the new stockings and t

ctober 12

Dea

yed the first Allegro from the E minor Concerto; the notes seemed to roll along of themselves on the Streicher piano. A roar of applause followed. Soliva was very satisfied; he conducted his Aria, with chorus, which was very well sung by Fr?ulein

afterwards conducted the Cavatina from "La Donna del Lago," which Fr?ulein Gladkowska sung. She wore a white dress, had roses in her hair, and looked charmingly beautiful. She has never sung as she did last

apturously applauded that I had to appear four times to bow my thanks. And, be assured, I did it quite gracefully, for Brandt had fully instructed me. If Soliva had not taken my score home and corrected it, and, as conductor, restrained me

packing up. On Saturday or Wedne

truly af

DER

wspapers were all full of his praises. They compared him to the chief European virtuosi, and prophesied the most

. Frederic had to part, for a lengthened period, from all that was dearest to him, home, parents, sisters, and also

ienna, through Breslau and Dresden. A circle of friends, of which the venerable Elsner was one, accompanied Frederic to Wola (the first village beyond Warsaw) where the pupils of the Conservatoire awaited him and sang a cantata, composed for the occasion by Elsner. At the ba

d the friend who presented him the goblet in the name of them all. "Think of Poland, think of your friends, who a

steps onwards. Before him lay the wide, checkered, unknown world; but t