Shoes Versus Music
The younger Pixis was to play at Hanover a concert of Mozart’s. His father kept him hard at practicing, but he seemed listless and paid very little attention to his playing. The elder Pixis, very anxious that all his sons should succeed, chided him and said: “There is still time for you to learn something else. If you do not care to make a virtuoso of yourself, you might make a cobbler.”
“Well, what loss would that be,” replied the little fellow. “Anybody can do without music, but not without shoes!”
They Knew Nothing
One time it occurred to a village organist, that by having some new church music, he might not only glorify a coming festival, but cover himself also with glory before his congregation. Telemann, the well-known composer of sacred music, who lived in the near-by city of Gotha, should compose it, and his colleagues from the surrounding villages with their choirs, should help in the rendition of it. So to Telemann the ambitious organist betook himself, and explained his errand. Now the composer knew him and his confrères as miserable bunglers, and made all sorts of excuses, but the organist was persistent and would not be refused. Telemann, partly angry, partly amused, asked at last what the text for the cantata was to be. That the organist said he would leave to Telemann to choose, a Bible text or something equally appropriate would do. The composer finally consented, and asked him to arrange for the rehearsal, to which he promised to come himself and bring some friends.
The morning of the festival brought Telemann and his friends. The scores were distributed. For the text the composer had chosen the line: “We know nothing against the Lord!” and had put it into a fugue.
“Now,” whispered Telemann to his friends, “listen to those fellows confessing their sins!” The rehearsal began, and from all throats came, like a tremendous wailing, “We—we—we know nothing—nothing—nothing—we know nothing—know nothing—no”—until at last, the whole company having shouted away for dear life—without suspecting anything wrong—was awakened from their dream, by shouts of laughter from Telemann and his friends. Then there was general consternation, the poor organist stood completely crushed. “To be sure, this does not sound very well, gentlemen,” said Telemann, and to comfort the crestfallen organist he drew from his pocket another small cantata, which he and his friends rendered at the church.