FOOTNOTES:
[1] Speaking of this new Constitution, Fox said, “It is a work, in which every friend to reasonable liberty must be sincerely interested.” Burke exclaimed: “Humanity must rejoice and glory when it considers the change in Poland.”—Translatorʼs Note.
[2] In a letter to the King of Poland, dated May 23rd, he said, “I congratulate myself on having had it in my power to maintain the liberty and independence of the Polish nation, and one of my most pleasing cares will be to support and draw closer the bond which unites us.”—Translatorʼs Note.
[3] All the foreign biographers of Chopin have mistaken the date of his birth. Even on his monument at Père la Chaise, in Paris, 1810 is engraven instead of 1809, an error which ought to have been rectified long ago.
[4] This March was afterwards published in Warsaw, but without the composerʼs name.
[5] This story is given by Wladislaus Casimir Wocicki in his work entitled “Cmentarz Powazkowski.”
[6] One of these pupils, Casimir Wodzynski, a property owner, who is still living, often tells this story.
[7] Chopin generally improvised in the dark, frequently at night, as then the mind is undisturbed by outward impressions. Then he would bury himself in the theme heart and soul, and develope from it tone-pictures full of lofty inspiration and fairy-like poetry.
[8] Another kind of national song is the product of the trained musician, and being, from its original, majestic, war-like or sentimental character, easily 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 in a work of art, seldom inquire who created it. For example, many people are not aware that Henry Carey was the author and composer of “God Save the King.”
[9] Julian Klaczko, a contributor to the Revue des Deux Mondes.
[10] Brunner and Hoffman were the inventors.
[11] Alexander Rembielinski, an excellent pianist, who died young.
[12] Julius Fontana, pianist and composer, was born in Warsaw, in 1810, and educated with Chopin at the Conservatoire, under Elsner. In 1830 he entered the army and soon became a lieutenant of artillery. After the insurrection he emigrated to France; some years later settled in America, but in 1850 returned to Paris, where he died in 1870. He was an almost daily guest of Chopinʼs, and knew exactly what compositions were published at that time; the facts that he gives in the preface to his edition of Chopinʼs works are, therefore, trustworthy. Besides many smaller compositions, (Walzes, Studies, Caprices, Fantasias) which he wrote and published in Paris, he published “Polish National Melodies” (London); “Comments on Polish Orthography” (Leipsic, 1866); and “Popular Astronomy” (Posen, 1869.)
[13] It appears as op. 73, in Fontanaʼs collection of the posthumous works.
[14] Ernemann was a music master, and Bucholtz a pianoforte maker, in Warsaw.
[15] Professor Jedrzejewicz, Chopinʼs brother-in-law, born 1803, died in Warsaw, 1853.
[16] A composer, pianist, and litterateur, who is still living in Poland.
[17] September 16th, 1828.
[18] Peter von Winter, born at Mannheim, in 1755, died at Munich, 1825, was a popular and rather over-rated composer. This opera made a great sensation.
[19] A long wide street in Warsaw.
[20] George Onslow, born in 1744, at Clermont-Ferrand, was descended from a noble English family. He was a pupil of Cramer and Dussek, and besides operas, of which “Der Hausirer” was the favourite, he wrote a great deal of chamber music, especially some excellent quartets.
[21] A reference to the Warsaw lady singers, who often left out or altered coloratures.
[22] In Polish “your” is “wasz,” pronounced “wasch” or “vache.”
[23] In the summer of 1827, Chopin stayed for several weeks at his godmotherʼs house, from whence he took a trip to Dantzig, to see the old trading city which used to belong to Poland. He wished also to make the acquaintance of the Superintendent Linde, brother of the Principal of the Warsaw Lyceum, at whose residence Frederic had already met the sisters of these gentlemen.
[24] J. N. Hummel, born in Pressburg, November 14th, 1782; died in Weimar, October 17th, 1837.
[25] Clementine Tanska, a famous Polish authoress for the young.
[26] Chopinʼs second sister; she and her husband, M. Barcinski, are still living in Warsaw.
[27] A nickname given to this prince on account of his extraordinary small stature, in spite of which he was one of the most able rulers. A thorough exploration of the Kingʼs Grotto has recently been made by archæologists, and the bones of prehistoric animals discovered.
[28] Chopin had sent Haslinger for publication, the Variations on “La ci darem la mano,” op. 2; and the Sonata, op. 4.
[29] Wilhelm Würfel, born in Bohemia, was, for some years, pianoforte teacher at the Warsaw Conservatoire. In 1826, he became conductor at the Kärthner Thor Theatre, in Vienna, where he died in 1832.
[30] Charlotte Veltheim was one of the most celebrated bravura singers of her time (1821—1840), and a much valued member of the Dresden Hof Theatre. She was a thorough musician, and played the piano very well.
[31] “Chmiel” is a song in the mazurka measure, sung by the Poles at marriage ceremonies at the moment when the brideʼs sisters place the cap on her head.
[32] Thomas Nidecki, one of the best pupils at the Warsaw Lyceum, was sent to Vienna, in 1822, at the public expense to complete his education. He became bandmaster at the Leopoldstadter Theatre. From 1841 he was bandmaster at the Grand Theatre, in Warsaw, in which City he died in 1852.
[33] The seal belonged to the waiter, and bore the word “Madeira.”
[34] An old Polish proverb.
[35] The “Wiener Theater Zeitung,” published by Adolph Bäuerle, from 1828 to 1848, was to every artist an important and dreaded publication. There were then but few papers devoted to art matters, 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. Bäuerle was the composer also of “Staberl, Staberlʼs Hochzeitstag,” “Aline, Queen of Golconda, or, Vienna in another quarter of the world,” and “The false Catalini,” pieces which were performed an immense number of times.
[36] Leopolda Blahetka, born in Vienna, Nov. 15th, 1811, a distinguished pianoforte virtuoso, pupil of Czerny and Moscheles. She made several artistic tournées, winning everywhere the highest approbation. Her amiability was also much noted.
[37] Waclaw Hanka, a celebrated philologist and Slavonic linguist, founder of the reviving Czech national life; born in 1791, died in Prague, 1861.
[38] Especially in the time of Otto the Great the last independent King of Bohemia, who was conquered by Rudolph of Habsburgh, and died on the field of March. From 1790 to 1848 the Royal Theatre at Prague was one of the best and most celebrated in Germany.
[39] August Alexander Klengel, one of the most celebrated pianoforte virtuosi, born January 27th, 1783, was a pupil of Clementi. The pianoforte studies which he wrote are unsurpassed. He composed besides ninety-six Canons and Fugues. In 1819 he went as organist to the Royal Catholic Church in Dresden, and died there in 1852.
[40] Two famous Polish poets.
[41] Princess Aloysia von Clary was an extremely amiable lady. She was an excellent pianist, and to rare culture united true goodness of heart. Artists and poets met with the most cordial reception in her hospitable house, and to extreme old age the Princess took a warm interest in all artistic matters.
[42] Composer of several short comedies which were performed successfully in Dresden and Vienna, between the years 1836 and 1848.
[43] I have not found any letters from Breslau. He probably hurried on as fast as he could, to give his news in person.
[44] The first part of Goetheʼs “Faust” was performed for the first time, that evening, in Dresden. Louis Tieck had made the necessary curtailments.
[45] Charles Devrient, eldest of the three brothers, and nephew of the great Louis Devrient.
[46] The Polish for Frederic.
[47] Edward Hanslick, in his book, “History of Concerts in Vienna,” uses the same words as the Sammler does about Chopin.
[48] E minor Concerto op. 11.
[49] Book and Music Seller, in Warsaw.
[50] Chopin says what he may have heard reported, for it is well known that the world rarely credits the nobly born with artistic talent. Prince Louis Ferdinand was, indeed, Dussekʼs 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 inventive nature, and what works he has left are really the produce of his own brain. Full of patriotism and courage, he took part in the war and fell at Saalfield, October 13th, 1806.
[51] One thinks involuntarily of the Orchestra at the Bayreuth Festival, in 1876. Yes, yes, “Original fahrʼ him in deiner Pracht.”—Goethe.
[52] This polonaise appears as op. 71 in the collection of posthumous works.
[53] Grand Fantasia on Polish airs, op. 13.
[54] Charles Kurpinski, bandmaster, and composer of several national operas, was born in 1785, and died in 1857, in Warsaw.
[55] A coffee-house frequented by most of the literati; called in German “Aschenbrodel.”
[56] The following programme was performed in the Warsaw Theatre, March 17th, 1830.
First Part.
1.—Overture to the Opera “Leszek Bialy,” by Elsner.
2.—Allegro from the F minor Concerto, composed and played by Herr F. Chopin.
3.—Divertissement for Horn, composed and played by Herr Görner.
4.—Adagio and Rondo, from F minor Concerto, composed and played by Herr Chopin.
Second Part.
1.—Overture to the Opera, “Cecilia Piaseczynska,” by Kurpinski.
2.—Variations by Paër, sung by Madame Meier.
3.—Pot-pourri on national songs, by Chopin.
[57] A fellow student of Chopinʼs, born 1800, died in Warsaw 1865.
[58] About 850 Thalers.
[59] Felix Ignaz Dobrzynski, pianist and composer, born 1807, died in Warsaw, 1865.
[60] Fräulein Gladkowska was the realization of Chopinʼs ideal. His thoughts of her are interwoven into all the compositions which he wrote at that 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 passionate youth of twenty. Constantia Gladkowska, a pupil of Soliva, was married in 1832, and left the stage, to the great regret of all connoisseurs.
[61] Fräulein Wotkow, a fellow pupil with Gladkowska, also left the stage on her marriage, in 1836.
[62] Signore Soliva, an Italian by birth, went to the Warsaw Conservatoire in 1821 as singing master. When the institution was closed by the Russian Government, he migrated first to St. Petersburg, then to Paris, where he died, in 1851. Soliva composed the operas, “La Testa di bronzo,” “Elena e Mauvina,” and several smaller works.
[63] His poems have been translated into nearly every living language, perhaps with most success into German. They have a peculiar colouring, are full of poetic inspiration, and rich in thought.
[64] See Schillingʼs Universal Lexicon of Music.
[65] John Field, born in Dublin, in 1782, a pupil of Clementi, was one of the greatest and most celebrated pianists of his time. In 1804, he went to St. Petersburg, where, except for some artistic tours, he resided till 1820. He died in Moscow in 1837.
[66] I will not refer to the other works produced between 1824-9, and first published after Chopinʼs death by Julius Fontana, as the composer did not himself desire their publication.
[67] From 1827 to 1832 there was only one performance of a Beethoven Symphony at the “Spirituel” concerts. The one given was the C minor. (See Hanslickʼs “Geschichte des Concertwesens in Wien.”)
[68] Dionys Weber, born 1771, died 1842, founded the Prague Conservatoire in 1811. He was a good composer and an excellent teacher. Under his management the Prague Conservatoire became one of the best in Europe.
[69] Born January 31st, 1797, died November 18th, 1828. His grave is close to Beethovenʼs.
[70] Charles Lipinski, born at Rdzyn, in Poland, in 1790, was as great a violinist as Chopin was a pianist. He enjoyed a considerable reputation; but as a composer is so far surpassed by Chopin that the two can only be mentioned together as Polandʼs greatest virtuosi. Lipinski died in 1861, at his estate in Galicia, after holding, for more than twenty years, the post of chef dʼorchestre at Dresden.
[71] Rudolph Kreutzer, not to be confounded with Conradin Kreutzer, was born in 1766, at Versailles, of German parents. He was a great virtuoso, wrote several brilliant Concertos, and some incomparable studies. He died in 1831, at Geneva.
[72] An Imperial Mark.
[73] Adolf Friedrich Hesse, born in Breslau 1809, died there 1863, was one of the most distinguished of organists and organ composers. He was a pupil of Köhler, whom he afterwards succeeded. By long artistic tours he acquired a brilliant reputation. In 1844 he was invited to Paris for the opening of the great organ in the church of St. Eustache.
[74] Mathilde Palazzesi, an excellent Italian singer, was engaged by Morlacchi, at Dresden, in 1828, where she remained till the closing of the Italian Opera, in 1832.
[75] Joseph Rastrelli was musical director of the Royal Opera in Dresden from 1823 to 1842. He was an excellent conductor, and a good composer. His operas, “Salvator Rosa,” and “Bertha of Bretagne,” both achieved success.
[76] N.B.—Do not show this letter lest I may be thought vain. (Chopinʼs own observation.)
[77] Malfatti, royal physician in ordinary, and a very famous doctor in his time.
[78] Fräulein Cibini was a daughter of Leopold Kozeluck, who, after Mozartʼs death, became Royal Court Composer. She herself was an accomplished pianist, afterwards lady-in-waiting to the Empress Anna Maria. She nursed the Emperor Ferdinand in his severe illness, and died at the Hradschin, in 1860, highly esteemed as a faithful servant by the Imperial pair.
[79] Sabine Heinefetter, the most famous and distinguished of the three sisters, who all excelled as great singers; in Milan, even among Italians, she shone as a star of the first magnitude. Circumstances obliged her to leave the stage while still in full possession of her powers.
[80] Franz Wildt, the most celebrated, and in truth the best tenor singer the German opera possessed from 1820 to 1845. His voice and training were alike first-rate.
[81] Anton Orlowski, a fellow-student of Chopinʼs, a talented musician, afterwards chapel-master at Rouen. Born in Warsaw 1811, died 1861.
[82] Viz., not Jewish.
[83] Joseph Slawick, born in Bohemia in 1806, studied at the Prague Conservatoire, under Pixis, at the expense of Count Wrbna; he died at Pesth in 1833, just as he was about to commence a long artistic tour.
[84] A reference, perhaps, to the disturbances then prevailing in the Peninsular.
[85] Fräulein Constantia Gladkowska was in the habit of going to the Bernhardine Church, which was close to the Conservatoire.
[86] The Conservatoire, where Constantia boarded, was near the statue of King Sigismund.
[87] Chopin often called his sisters his children.
[88] This letter, written on two loose sheets, was found enclosed in one to his parents, which had no envelope, and was only slightly sealed. Frederic had written under the direction these words to his sisters, “You are requested not to break the seal, and not to be inquisitive, like old women.”