This is a volume got up ‘for the benefit of a family in reduced circumstances,’ and contains fourteen prose and poetical pieces, with ten short musical compositions, the whole gratuitously contributed. We, of course, direct our attention to the latter part only.
1. The first is a song by the Chevalier Neukomm, ‘I call’d on the hopes of the years that are past,’ in two movements, is full of pathos, and, considered as a simple, unlaboured effusion, is one of his most pleasing and successful productions.
2. Mr. J. B. Cramer has contributed a very brief, easy air for the piano-forte, in the few bars of which his peculiar style is easily traced.
3. A German air, ‘Gruss,’ the poetry by H. Heine, composed by M. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, the whole comprised in fifteen bars, contains much in a very small compass.
4. A march, by Frederic Arthur Gore Ouseley, a child six years old when he composed it, is one of the most marvellous productions of this age of musical wonders, and as such we have added it to the music in our present number. We can speak of the extraordinary, the unexampled genius of this little boy—now only seven years and a half old—on the authority of a gentleman, in whose report we place the most implicit confidence. He has received no instructions in music, and though taught by himself to play with considerable skill on the piano-forte, does not know his notes on paper, and trusts to his sisters for writing down what he composes. He improvises entire scenes, singing to his own accompaniment, the latter often exhibiting harmony the most recherchée, chords that an experienced musician only uses with caution; but these are always introduced and resolved in a strictly regular manner, not by rule, for he has learnt no rules, but by the aid of a very surprising ear, and of some faculty, which, for want of a better term, we will call intuition. His organ of hearing is so fine, that, with his eyes closed, he instantly names any musical sound produced; and so discriminating is this sense in the child, that, when a note is struck on an instrument, tuned either above or below the usual pitch, he immediately discovers and accurately states in what the deviation consists. A chord of four notes being sounded, he named each note exactly, though at some distance from the instrument, and with his back turned to it. When five years of age he suffered during some weeks from a continued fever, and on his recovery composed a piece of music descriptive of the commencement of the disease, its progress, crisis, and abatement, intending it as a present to his physician for the care and attention he had bestowed on him. Though an abundance of lively fancy is displayed in this, there is nothing in it at all extravagant or ridiculous; on the contrary, it is strictly en règle, and expresses, as well as inarticulate sounds are capable of expressing sensations, all the variety of feeling which would be experienced in the course of a long fever. This precocious genius is the son of the Right Honourable Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., G.C.H., whose learning and high acquirements are well known in all parts of the civilized world: and under a French governess and a tutor for Latin, his education is proceeding in the usual manner, music forming no part of it. His intellects are quick, and declare themselves in a countenance remarkable for intelligence and beauty. His habits and amusements are suited to his age, and the activity of his mind does not appear to have operated unfavourably on his general health, which seems to be good, and as well established as is usual with children of his years.
No. 5 is a short expressive air in A flat, by the same gifted child. This is his favourite key; and A flat with the minor third is the mode which he prefers when he has occasion to use the minor key.
No. 6 is a Polonaise by Giornovichi, not endowed with much meaning.
No. 7 is a pleasing song, ‘Go, gentle breeze,’ by—Barker, Esq.
No. 8 is a waltz, not very new, but written in good taste, by E. Mammet.
No. 9 is a Minne-Lied, by C. Klingemann, in A, nine-eighth time, in which much character is exhibited, and an air of no common kind.