Section 200 The Power of Music
On one occasion when young Chopin1 had been travelling for several days in the slow fashion of German diligences, he was delighted and surprised, on stopping at a small post-house, to discover a grand pianoforte in one of the rooms2, and still more surprised to find it in tune3—thanks, probably, to the musical taste of the postmaster’s family. He sat down instantly and began to improvise in4 his peculiarly happy manner. One by one the travellers were attracted by the unwonted sweet sounds. One of them even allowed5 his beloved pipe to go out in his ecstasy, and the postmaster, his wife, and his two daughters joined the group of listeners. Unmindful of his audience, of the journey, the lapse of time6, and everything but the music, Chopin continued to play, and his companions7 to listen in rapt attention, when they were suddenly roused by a stentorian8 voice, which made the windows rattle, calling out9: “The horses are ready, gentlemen!” The postmaster roared out an anathema10 against the disturber—the postillion—and the passengers cast angry glances at him. Chopin started from his seat, but was instantly surrounded by his audience, who entreated him to continue. “But we have been here for some time,” said Chopin, consulting his watch, “and are due in Posen already11.” “Stay and play, noble young artist,” cried the postmaster, “I will find you courier’s horses if you will only remain a little longer.” “Do be persuaded12,” added the postmaster’s wife, almost threatening the artist with an embrace13. What could he do but resume his place at the instrument? When at last he paused, the servant appeared with wine; the host’s daughter served the artist first, and then the travellers, upon which the postmaster proposed a cheer for14 the musician, in which all joined15. The ladies in their gratitude filled the carriage pockets with the best eatables and wine the house contained; and when at last the artist rose to go16, his gigantic host seized him in his arms and triumphantly bore him to17 the carriage! Long18 years afterwards Chopin would recall (S. 101, N. 22) this little incident with pleasure, and declare that the plaudits of the press had never given him more delight than the homage19 of these simple music-loving Germans.—Manchester Tit-Bits.
Notes
1 Fréderic François Chopin, der berühmte Klaviervirtuose und Komponist, dessen melodieenreiche Masurkas, Walzer, Notturnos, Balladen, Polonaisen und Etüden seinen Namen überall bekannt gemacht haben, wurde im Jahre 1810 zu Zelazowawola bei Warschau geboren, und starb am 17. Oktober 1849 in Paris, wo er sich seit dem Jahre 1831 niedergelassen hatte. On one occasion, einst.
2 he — rooms = and was stopping at (vor) a small post-house, he was delighted and surprised to discover a grand pianoforte (Flügel, m.) in one of the rooms.
3 to — tune = when he found it in good tune.
4 auf; peculiarly = peculiar; happy = charming.
5 lassen.
6 Zeitverlauf, m.
7 Say ‘whilst his travelling-companions listened to him’, etc.
8 = mighty.
9 = through which even the windows rattled (erklirren), and which cried.
10 einen Fluch ausstoßen.
11 I am due in London already, ich sollte bereits in London sein. The words ‘said — watch’ are best placed after the quotation.
12 sich überreden lassen.
13 die in ihrem Entzücken den Künstler fast umarmt hätte.
14 to propose a cheer for a person, ein Hoch auf einen ausbringen.
15 here einstimmen.
16 here zur Abreise.
17 in... hinein.
18 Noch viele.
19 die Ehrenbezeugungen.