Repository: UIHistories Project: Sophograph - 1889 [PAGE 51]

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TH1 SOPHOORAPH.

his twelfth year, he was an excellent pianist, being able to improvise with ease upon any theme given him, while his retentive memory enabled him to pit; without the music any selection after reading it but twice. Having the a< in tages that wealth could supply he was at full liberty to develop his musical s com,c powers in any form he might choose. In 1827 ^ opera was presented in Berlin, but meeting with a complete failure he was disgusted and retired to Leipsic, where most of his works were composed and where by incessant labor he formed a school of music which is the best in Europe. But his indefatigable efforts affected his health and in 1846 while in Switzerland resting from his labors, he received the news of his sister's death, from which he never recovered He died a year later. Mendelssohn received a classical education and was also acquainted with the modern languages, being able to write and converse in inglish quite fluently. Though not endowed with genius yet his talents were of a superior order and his early death prevented the full development of his powers. His style improved wifh the number of his compositions, and as he was not compelled to write for bread he always wrote his best. Among the less noted musicians are Schuman, whose music charms the weary mind to rest and the sweet melody of which none will deny; Wagner; a composer of our day who will always be remembered with pleasure; Schubert whose quartettes we all have enjoyed; Rubinstein, Strauss, Faust, Chopin. Liszt, Weber, Ganz, Mcrz, and many more too numerous to mention. Music as distinguished from the many different and rude attempts of the ancients, is only about four hundred years old. Modern music is the best and youngest of the arts and is consequently in an unfavored position. The development of the plan of design in the progress of music h been extended over the last two centuries and notwithstanding all disputes as to its preeminence among the arts "hope points to it as the everlasting standard of ger.uinen t*Ss in art It is supposed that the power of music can only be felt bv the culture and this is generally true; but who has not felt the pathos of Home, Home?" The power and harmony of this song ( 1 be and is fell and appree ated by all classes of society Music throws it power er all ami w xn ill made to feel its wonderful charm, but it is not always the most flicult passtf 1 that cause the most feeling. When evening ! shadows fall around us, « n w

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