Many famous musicians have been equally famous conductors of orchestras. Mendelssohn and Moscheles, who were dear friends and great musicians, were celebrated for their conducting. Mendelssohn had a peculiar power over the musicians. They looked at his face as well as at his baton. Those sweet keen eyes seemed to tell each what to do—his whole soul was in the work. Very many stories are told of how on certain occasions parts of the score were found missing just as the men were taking their places, and yet Mendelssohn always contrived to get it together again with his marvellous faculty for rapid musical work. Once he is said to have dashed off a whole part while the audience were waiting, writing it from memory.
In an old house in London there is a book full of Mendelssohn's sketches when he and Moscheles were on their concert tours; and looking at them—some bright, some humorous, all happy and kindly—one could fancy just how much heart and soul he carried into his work; he put his fun into it as well as his sadness. Whatever he had, he gave it all to those around him when he stood in the conductor's place.
AN APRIL SHOWER.
[THE MAN IN THE MOON.]
Who does not know the Mother Goose jingle of
"The man in the moon
Came down too soon
To ask his way to Norwich"?