(Said to Schindler when the latter made him acquainted with the “Songs
of Ossian,” “Die Junge Nonne,” “Die Burgschaft,” of Schubert’s “Grenzen
der Menschheit,” and other songs.)
129. “There is nothing in Meyerbeer; he hasn’t the courage to strike at the right time.”
(To Tomaschek, in October, 1814, in a conversation about the “Battle of
Victoria,” at the performance of which, in 1813, Meyerbeer had played
the big drum.)
130. “Rossini is a talented and a melodious composer, his music suits the frivolous and sensuous spirit of the times, and his productivity is such that he needs only as many weeks as the Germans do years to write an opera.”
(In 1824, at Baden, to Freudenberg.)
131. “This rascal Rossini, who is not respected by a single master of his art!”
(Conversation-book, 1825.)
132. “Rossini would have become a great composer if his teacher had frequently applied some blows ad posteriora.”
(Reported by Schindler. Beethoven had been reading the score of “Il
Barbiere di Siviglia.”)
133. “The Bohemians are born musicians. The Italians ought to take them as models. What have they to show for their famous conservatories? Behold! their idol, Rossini! If Dame Fortune had not given him a pretty talent and amiable melodies by the bushel, what he learned at school would have brought him nothing but potatoes for his big belly.”