Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)

ess for fifteen years, at length led to a revolution. The Constitution framed for Poland at the Vienna Congress was regarded in St. Petersburg and Moscow a

e a dead letter, and, finally, to oppress Poland to the uttermost. For the accomplishment of these ends, the advisers of the Czar co

man had caused the Emperor numberless embarrassments; f

ver the soldiers. He had, at the same time, full authority over all the officials of the kingdom; practically, the Constitutio

was to persecute and punish those who showed the least sign of a desire for freedom. Not only the actions, but the half-whispered words, and even the thoughts of the people were betr

form, be enlisted in the army, and thus become the obedient tools of his tyranny. Every young man who devoted himself to science, literature, or the fine arts, instead of entering the army, wa

ine hated so intensely, instigated the insurrection of November 29th, 1830. The army and the whole nation followed t

the entreaties of his parents, who knew that their son?s health was not fit for the hardships of war. Chopin?s family were naturally undesirous that he should cut short the artistic career on which he had just entered at so much cost, and in which he had already achieved good su

e newly-arrived artists. When he played gratuitously help was readily forthcoming; but the case was altered now, and Frederic saw himself neglected. It is not impossi

st might settle in Vienna, and thus become a dangerous rival. Many even were displeased at his success in the drawing rooms. The rapid success

nce of the war, much that he wrote never reached Warsaw at all. The sad condition of his country made a deep and lasting impression on the mind of the young artist, so sensitive alike to happiness and sorrow. The gay, buoyant tone

en

before Chr

almanack at

ow the

arents an

since I left you. What for? But

onducted to Wola, to a little dancing party, at the Weiberheim?s. There were several hand

hen returned home. The hostess and her amiable daughters had asked se

ow almost finished my portrait. It is so good, one cannot imagine it better. I am sitting in my dressing-gown, with a look of inspiration which I do not know why the artist should have given me. The portrait is in quarto size, drawn in chalk, and looks like a steel engraving. The elder Hummel was exceedingly polite, and introduced me to his old acquaintance, M. Duport, director of the

with me instead, to your countrywoman?s, Frau Beyer?s," said Slawick. I agreed. Now Kraszewski had sent me, the same day, from Dresden, a letter to Frau Beyer, but without any address, and Beyer is a common name in Vienna. So I resolved a

reeable to him, we determined to compose a duet together for violin and piano. I had thought of doing so in Warsaw. Slawick is, indeed, a

tists. On Sunday there is a soirée at Likl?s, where the aristocratic musical world assemble, and the Overture for four perfor

oomy apartments on the fourth storey for twenty gulden, which satisfy me quite well. I know you will say, "the poor wretch lives in a garret." But it is not so; there is another floor between me and the roof, and eighty gulden are not to be despised either. People visit me notwithstanding; even Coun

but I was at Czerny?s just now. Up till

r instead of two. I am to dine with Malfatti again next Saturday, and if I a

am proud to say that Malfatti is really fond of me. Nidecki comes to me every day to play. If my concerto for t

blishing. Shall I go shortly to Italy, or shall I wait?84 Dear

, but how I should like to be there! Embrace dear

t a very great delight your letters are to me. Why is not the post quicker? You will thi

ited out we dine together in the city. He knows Vienna perfectly, and will be sure to take me to see whatever is worth seeing. For instance, yesterday, we had a splendid walk to th

very glad that I am he

ike dwarfs. I am most happy, when I have played to my heart?s content on Graff?s magnificent in

e nose, who daintily held her dress in the old-fashioned way, by the tips of her fingers, her head resting on the flap of his co

y waltzes while the public sup. After every waltz the musicians receive a boisterous bravo. If an ad libitum is p

have no time to write it out, so must wait till another opportunity. Th

should see Fontana tell him that he shall soon have a letter from me.

l, my d

FRE

n Matu

en

Christma

hurch, to-day I am sitting in my dressing gown

H?n

ato notes at one stroke of the bow! It is almost incredible! When I heard him I wanted to rush home and sketch out some variations for piano and

my eyes have moistened your letter. I long, u

y angel of peace

tormy feelings, but the songs whose half echoes still haunt the sho

know that I am an indecisive being, and

s, concerts, and balls I am obliged to attend only weary me. I am melancholy. I feel so lonely and deserted here, yet I cannot live as I like. I have to dress, and look cheerful in drawing rooms; but when I am in my room again, I talk to my piano, to whom, as my best friend in Vienna, I pour out all my sorrows. There is not a soul I can u

alk to you, and I have always told you everything that concerned myself. Did you receive a short letter from me the day before

thing. God forbid that she should suffer anything on my account! Comfort her, and assure her that as long as my heart beats I shall not cease to adore her. Tell her that, after my death, my ashes shall be spread beneath her feet. But this is not half what you might say to her on my behalf. I would write to her myself, and, indeed, should have done so long ago, to escape the torments I endure, but if my letter chanced to fall into other hands, might it not injure her

ined with Frau Beyer, who is also called Constantia. I enjoy visiting her very much, because she bears a name so unspeakably dear to me; I even rejoice if

e, for Slawick was obliged to go to the Imperial Chapel. The church was empty, and, to get the full effect of the lofty and imposing edifice, I leant against a pillar in the darkest corner. The vastness and

ill, I muffled myself in my cloak (you know how I used to go about in the Cracow suburb), and hastened off to the Mass at the Imperial Chapel. Amid a merry crowd, I threaded my way to the

first thing I did that day was to play some melancholy fantasias, and, after receiving calls from Nidecki, Liebenfrost, and Steinkeller,

y rare; her intonation also is always pure, her colouring refined, and, indeed, her singing altogether faultless; but she is cold; I nearly got my nose frozen in the pit. She looks particularly handsome as a man. I liked her better in "Otello" than in "Barbiere," in which she represented the consummate coquette,

ould rather they had given me directions. Shall I go to Paris? Friends here advise me to stay in Vienna. Or shall I go home, or stay here and kill myse

antia; and, as long as you are in Warsaw, please pay frequent visits to my sisters that they may think you are comin

es are so famous, is here at present. He is something over forty years of age. I have made his acquaintance, and he promised to come and see me. He

is on the "Mutes," plays forte and piano with the pedals, but not with his hands, takes tenths as I do octaves, and wears diamond studs. He does

. When dining to-day at the Italian restaurant, I heard some one say, "God made a mistake in creating Poland." Is it any wonder that my feelings are m

are beholding the remains of the French Revolution, and look compassionately at the sausages and hams, which hang up like pictures, or they are indignant at the revolutionary Frenchman being allowed to

eased to love my parents, my sisters, and her. My dearest, do write me a few lines soon. You can show this to her if you like. I am going to M

e name, my hand is too unworthy. Oh! I should tear my hair out if I thought she forgot me: I feel a regular Othello to-day. I was about to fold and sea

um, young Hummel having kindly made me a drawing of it. It is spacious, and has five windows, to which the bed stands opposite. My wonderful piano stands on the right

ite, Hummel comes to work at my portrait, and Nidecki to study my Concerto. I keep on my comfortable dressing-gown till 12 o?clock, at which hour Dr. Leibenfrost, a lawyer here, comes in to see me. Weather permitting, I walk with him on the Glacis, then we dine at the "Zum B?mischen K?chin," the rendezvous of the st

bly leave here with Freyer, about the 15th of next month. I began to write this letter quite clearly, but I have finished it in such a way t

he s

en

r?s Day

est

worth the trouble. Now you know all my thoughts. When you are in your room with your old friends Rostowski, Schuch, Freyer, Kyjewski, and Hube, imagine that I am enjoying myself with you, but oh! I feel so strange in writing to you here. It seems as if I were with you, and what I see and hear around me only a dream. The voices to which my ear is unaccustomed seem to me only like the rattling of a carriage, or some other unimportant sound. Only your or Titus?s voice could wake me out of my stupor. To-day, life and de

omised me a visit. This is the first of January. Oh, what a sad beginning of the year for me! I love you dearly. Write as soon as possible. Is she at Radom? Have you built forts? My poor parents! How are my friends? I would die

ment; how will you forward the letter? Do not send it by a me

a colonel. May all go well! Why can I not at least be your

fai

DER

TNO

end to reasonable liberty must be sincerely interested." Burke exclaimed: "Humanit

had it in my power to maintain the liberty and independence of the Polish nation, and one of my m

birth. Even on his monument at Père la Chaise, in Paris, 1810 is engrave

ds published in Warsaw, but

slaus Casimir Wocicki in his wor

dzynski, a property owner, who is s

ndisturbed by outward impressions. Then he would bury himself in the theme heart and so

understandable, it is readily remembered and rapidly diffused. Everyone sings it to the best of his ability; but the less-educated, even when they delight

contributor to the R

nd Hoffman wer

inski, an excellent pi

r settled in America, but in 1850 returned to Paris, where he died in 1870. He was an almost daily guest of Chopin?s, and knew exactly what compositions were published at that time; the facts that he gives in the preface to his edition of Chopin?s works are, therefo

, in Fontana?s collection

master, and Bucholtz a p

Chopin?s brother-in-law, bo

, and litterateur, who i

tember 1

died at Munich, 1825, was a popular and rather ove

wide stree

amily. He was a pupil of Cramer and Dussek, and besides operas, of which "Der Hausirer" was

w lady singers, who often lef

is "wasz," pronounce

to see the old trading city which used to belong to Poland. He wished also to make the acquaintance of the Superintendent Lin

sburg, November 14th, 1782; die

a, a famous Polish au

he and her husband, M. Barcins

te of which he was one of the most able rulers. A thorough exploration of the King?s Grott

ication, the Variations on "La ci darem

rte teacher at the Warsaw Conservatoire. In 1826, he became conduc

s of her time (1821-1840), and a much valued member of the Dresden Ho

g by the Poles at marriage ceremonies at the moment

at the public expense to complete his education. He became bandmaster at the Leopoldstadter The

to the waiter, and bo

ld Polish

rs, and this journal was to be found in the clubs and coffee-houses of every town in Germany. Whoever was praised by the "Wiener Theater Zeitung," was a made man. B?uerle was the composer also

rte virtuoso, pupil of Czerny and Moscheles. She made several artistic tournées,

lavonic linguist, founder of the reviving Czech n

ho was conquered by Rudolph of Habsburgh, and died on the field of March. From 1790 t

a pupil of Clementi. The pianoforte studies which he wrote are unsurpassed. He composed besides ninety-six C

famous Po

are culture united true goodness of heart. Artists and poets met with the most cordial reception in h

ch were performed successfully in Dresden a

Breslau. He probably hurried on as fast

rmed for the first time, that evening, in Dresden

of the three brothers, and nep

Polish fo

ory of Concerts in Vienna," uses the sam

nor Conce

d Music Sell

pupil, but he was not, therefore, helped in his compositions by his teacher. Prince Ferdinand-called Louis Ferdinand in history, and on the title pages of his compositions-was of an i

at the Bayreuth Festival, in 1876. Yes, yes,

rs as op. 71 in the colle

tasia on Polis

omposer of several national operas, was b

d by most of the literati; ca

e was performed in the Wars

st

e Opera "Leszek B

or Concerto, composed and

Horn, composed and p

F minor Concerto, composed

nd P

era, "Cecilia Piasecz

by Pa?r, sung

on national so

of Chopin?s, born 1800

out 850

, pianist and composer, bor

time. Dreaming of her, he wrote the Adagio of the E minor Concerto; his desire of leaving Warsaw vanished; she entirely filled the soul of the pas

pil with Gladkowska, also left th

institution was closed by the Russian Government, he migrated first to St. Petersburg, then to Paris, where h

guage, perhaps with most success into German. They have a peculi

ng?s Universal L

st and most celebrated pianists of his time. In 1804, he went to St. Petersburg, whe

4-9, and first published after Chopin?s death by Julius Fonta

oven Symphony at the "Spirituel" concerts. The one given was the

ire in 1811. He was a good composer and an excellent teacher. Under hi

died November 18th, 1828. His

reputation; but as a composer is so far surpassed by Chopin that the two can only be mentioned together as Poland?s greatest virtuos

1766, at Versailles, of German parents. He was a great virtuoso, wrote several

Imperi

nd organ composers. He was a pupil of K?hler, whom he afterwards succeeded. By long artistic tours he acquired a br

as engaged by Morlacchi, at Dresden, in 1828, where she

from 1823 to 1842. He was an excellent conductor, and a good composer. Hi

tter lest I may be thought va

ian in ordinary, and a very

rself was an accomplished pianist, afterwards lady-in-waiting to the Empress Anna Maria. She nursed the Emperor Ferdina

lled as great singers; in Milan, even among Italians, she shone as a star of the first magnit

best tenor singer the German opera possessed from 1820

n?s, a talented musician, afterwards chapel-ma

z., not

onservatoire, under Pixis, at the expense of Count Wrbna; he died at

to the disturbances then pr

the habit of going to the Bernhardine Chu

Constantia boarded, was near

n called his sis

no envelope, and was only slightly sealed. Frederic had written under the direction these words t

DE

xaggerati

E minor Concer

nd Concerto

lodico

usikalische

szt?s observa

stian, 289

, op. 2

. 23, 38, 4

le, op.

n, 129,

from the C sharp

?s Last T

n?s Opin

Pianoforte C

n?s Sona

Violin Con

e, Mlle.,

e, op.

ioz,

a, Leop

, op.

ki, Casi

Chord

ni, 19

c, Gottf

iel

s a Teac

mitative T

, (Emi

(Justi

(Louis

(Nicho

Detac

Slurr

Fr?ule

rincess Aloy

c Scho

Gradus ad Pa

published i

E minor, 1

minor, 107,

rtos,

tine, 2

nt, Knowle

er,

97, 16

Blanch

Cinti, Ma

Form

ces

schütz,

hed Cho

Variati

t, Auro

st,

Composi

er), 15, 21, 212,

cho Variat

s Masse

, op.

lat, No. 10,

es,

h Airs, 55, 107,

mpromptu,

olonaise,

st,

Pianoforte

is,

lio,

hn, 132,

, Novelty

tures

, Lucrez

ow,

a, Jul

ewness

iavolo

homme

ollection of Aut

n the Sonata, o

e Pols

ka, 117,

gow,

ck,

ise Brillante

la, Fr

n, 307

Pianoforte

el,

on St. Cecil

s Orato

dn,

, 263

r, Sabine,

143,

, 155

r, 23

60, 143,

influen

La Sentine

tu, op.

tu, op.

3, 29, 58, 68, 7

nce of fi

se Brillante pour Piano

The,

edding M

er, 143,

er?s Conc

xander, 79, 81, 97,

8 Canons an

er,

tzer

Nachtlager vo

zafarski

ski, 3

?s Szarla

ache

ner,

m la mano,"

ara,

om the 2nd C

Pianoforte

Chris

l,

Jenn

Madame

i, Char

, 277, 278, 279

zing

dinand, P

rca,

es, 2

ti, 16

bran

Brinvillier

r Templar und

"Hans Hei

nio Segr

i, Johann,

r?s Sol

Chopin?s

91, 180,

op. 6 and

s, op.

op. 24,

s, op.

s, op.

s, op.

s, op.

s, op.

op. 59,

op. 63,

op. 67 a

ans, T

hing, of Chopin

sohn, 1

hopin?s Pianofor

s without words,

k,

eer, 1

"Les Hugu

Ritter des K

Robert le Dia

icz, 34

(Julius U

Baron,

or the "Imagin

eles,

Chopin?s Earl

opin?s Pianofor

tions on the Ale

t, 14

in?s admirat

dritate Rè d

Alfred

Portici,

i, Tho

unebre, Trois Ecos

, op. 9,

, op. 15,

, op. 27,

, op. 37,

op. 48, 6

, Adolp

i?s Symph

l Journ

Prince Mi

ausirer" ("Le C

n?s Preferen

, Anton,

o "William

Agnes

ni, 14

ta,

rte pla

n, M.

Concert

ourier,

folk-so

s, Sixteen,

se, op.

se, op.

s, op. 26

op. 40, 27

es, op.

s, op. 53

s, op. 71

n F minor,

Fantasia,

Origin of

untess Delphine

udes

B minor and

, Prince

, (Prince),

stab

R?uberbr

le Diabl

ticis

c Schoo

deux Pianos

Mazur, op.

ne, 65, 95, 108

d. to Madame Lin

r 2 Pianos, o

ini,

ni,

eri,

The Vie

5, 297, 298, 302, 307

n Melodi

i, 346

, op. 2

sharp minor

t, Alo

abel

n Chopin?s Earlies

, 143, 3

ff, Jul

the Allgemeine Musi

te Schriften über Mu

Zeitschrift f

Chopin?s "Ba

Romance in

anzigh

folk-song

k, 177

va,

nor, op. 4, 64

flat minor,

minor, op. 5

minor, op. 6

Mlle.,

, 227

zor and Ze

ragement of P

s Faus

"Jessond

s Octe

o, Clarionet, Bassoon, Fr

Ferdinand Co

, The A

Miss, Chopin

Hymn to the

s, 138

C minor,

le, op.

Count Sta

rubato

rg, 14

Alexand

f May, T

ltivation

nor, op. 8,

an,

op. 4

p. 69, an

i darem la mano," o

brillantes,

d. to Woyciech

, Charlo

Imperial Lib

hopin?s prefer

er,

18, 34, 42, 6

ourier,

ette, 352,

er,

Diony

chweizerfa

Lefébu

Clara,

deric, Let

er Zeitung,

Franz,

terbrochene Opfe

ki, Mar

tzer,

?ulein, 11

el,

t für Lite

(Adalbe