After the prosperous musical period of which I have just spoken, Belgium passed successively under the dominion of various rulers, was the theatre of all the plagues of war, and finished by losing its nationality, and saw vanish the glory of her musicians. Notwithstanding which, the genius of its inhabitants triumphed from time to time over the circumstances in which they were placed.
In modern days, do we not see Gossec (born in a village near Walcourt) convey the germ of a good school of harmony to France, after having studied in the cathedral of Antwerp, and obtained a justly celebrated name for the composition of symphony, before Haydn’s works were known to the musical world? This same artist became one of the founders of the Conservatoire de Musique in France, and member of the Institute, and powerfully contributed to the success of the French, from the part he took in compiling various elementary works, and by the scholars he produced. At the head of these Catel distinguished himself.
The most celebrated composer who shone in France in the eighteenth century was a Belgian: you at once know that I mean Grétry, born at Liege. The creation of a species which belongs to him, and more than fifty operas, of which the greatest number are filled with excellent things, either as respect melody or dramatic expression, speak more than my praises can to his honour. At the present period, the musical talent of the Belgians manifests itself in a way which leaves no doubt of success for the future, when, by a proper mode of instruction, their natural genius is well cultivated.
The Conservatoire de Musique at Paris has furnished some young Belgian composers to the Institute who are distinguished by their works, or who have been favoured by government with a pension. Such are MM. Mengal, Ermel, and Angelet. The Belgian violinists, among whom we notice Bériot, Roberechts, Haumann, Ghys Massart, the young Vieutemps, and many others, shine the first in rank of any in Europe. Antwerp awards the palm to M. Chevillarch, one of the first violinists of the present age. Young Servais promises fair to be another virtuoso on that instrument. The Belgians have the honour to have given birth to Drouet, the most astonishing of flutists. In fact, every species of talent is daily produced by this ancient country of art. There is, then, a guarantee for the musical regeneration about to be operated by the government of Belgium. This is what I perceived, and sufficed to convince me that my labours would not be bestowed on an ungrateful soil.
Belgium has re-conquered her nationality. Its government has secured a return to civilization, and the restoration of arts, which have long languished under foreign dominion. From this moment it gives the country those means of instruction which were wanting. Shortly it will secure, by adequate institutions, a succession of artists distinguished by talent. Thus the Belgians will recover that high rank they once held in art.
Such is my belief, and this has determined me to devote the rest of my days to my native country.
FETIS.
MUSICAL METRONOMES.
To the EDITORS of the HARMONICON.
Olive Mount Street, Liverpool.