Had No Use for Haydn’s Music
Another time, while Haydn was sauntering about the streets, he stepped into a music store and asked if they had a selection of good music.
“As much as you wish,” said the proprietor. “Here are some excellent things of Haydn’s!”
“Have no use for them,” said Haydn, curtly.
“What, you have no use for it? For Haydn’s music! What fault have you to find with it?”
“Quite enough! At any rate, I don’t want any of it. Show me some other compositions!”
The merchant, a devoted admirer of Haydn’s, said, indignantly: “It is not necessary, though I have plenty of excellent music, I have none for you!” and turned his back on the composer. At the same moment a gentleman entered who knew Haydn, and spoke to him. The merchant coming up to them said to the Englishman: “What do you think! This old gentleman here has no use for Haydn’s music!” Great was his embarrassment when the gentleman explained.