Franz Hoffmann

“ Wolfgang had never seen such splendor before. He was in a rich and brilliantly decorated hall, with silken tapestries, tall mirrors in glistening gold frames, heavy silken curtains, and polished inlaid floor. In a chair a little above the rest, over which glistened a golden crown, sat a majestic woman—the Empress. At her side stood the princes and princesses, and a little farther on the Emperor, leaning against a beautiful piano. ”

“ Count Herbenstein was overcome with astonishment, and both contemplated the boy with something like reverence.
“Herr Vice Chapelmaster,” at last said Count Herbenstein, “I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart. If God spare your child’s life, he will one day be a great artist.”
“Yes, he will be a great artist,” repeated Father Mozart, in the exuberance of his joy, as he took little Wolfgang in his arms and kissed him. “If Heaven will keep him safe and well, I will never again complain of anything, or envy the power and greatness of the Archbishop.” ”

“ As they went along, looking at the statues and pictures on the walls, Wolfgang did not notice the smoothness of the inlaid floor, stumbled on a particularly slippery spot, and fell his whole length. The sight was amusing; so amusing that Elizabeth could not refrain from laughing loudly. Marie Antoinette, on the other hand, did not see the laughable side of the mishap. She was frightened, and, bending over Wolfgang, helped him to arise. “Poor child, have you hurt yourself?” she said compassionately.
“Oh, no,” replied Wolfgang, giving the pretty little archduchess a grateful look. ”

“ Is not that well-nigh a miracle, and should not a father’s heart leap for joy?”
“Oh, friend, if that is the case, all is explained, and I congratulate you as an honest friend and faithful comrade should,” replied Adlgasser, as with joyous face he stretched out both hands to the vice chapelmaster. “My hearty good wishes. May the little one grow up to be a joy to us all, and some time become as skilful a musician as his father, our always esteemed Leopold Mozart. ”

“ His father complied, and Wolfgang listened attentively until he understood the mechanism of the instrument, then he requested a servitor of the church to blow for him, pushed the organ bench to one side, and, standing by the pedals, trod them and struck the keys as correctly as if he had practised for months. The music, continually growing more powerful and majestic, rolled in grand and solemn volume through the great hall of the church, and melody followed melody in the consecrated solitude. ”

“ Wolfgang had been concealing something under his coat, but he now took it out, and his father saw a little but excellent violin, which he had brought from Vienna. “What does this mean?” he said with some surprise.
“It means, father, I would like to play the violin with you,” replied Wolfgang. “Please let me play the second violin.”
“Why, you silly child,” said his father, laughing, “what put such a notion as that in your head? You can make believe you are playing with us, but as to playing in earnest, you cannot do it. Perhaps the time may come when you can.” ”

“ One day, after Wolfgang had called upon them, Padre Martini said to Farinelli: “This boy certainly is a wonder child and a rare flower of our beautiful art, but it is my duty to assign him the severest of tests, and I fear he is not skilful enough to succeed. ‘I fear,’ I repeat, for the lad has won my heart, and I shall be deeply grieved if he fail.” ”

“ Wolfgang took the paper, made a low bow of reverence, and with quick step and confident manner followed an official, who conducted him to an apartment and locked him in. Anxiously and with secret misgivings Padre Martini and Farinelli watched the exit of this boy so full of life, animation, and courage. They had ample reasons for their anxiety, for they knew of course the difficulty of the test. They also remembered that many clever musicians had been wrecked by it, and that others had labored the entire three hours, exerting their utmost ability to arrange an antiphon of even fewer parts. ”

“ The official opened his eyes in astonishment, and vigorously applauded him. All those in the custom house—officials, passengers, and servants—crowded around Wolfgang, and listened with delight to the melodies which he elicited from the keys with his “little claws.” Then with a smile he stopped and turned to the official. “Now do I know anything about piano playing?” said he, roguishly. “You can laugh at me, sir, if you like.”
“No, youngster,” replied the delighted official, as he stroked the boy’s red cheeks; “you are truly a little master musician. Those who hear you will not laugh at you. ”

“ Then the Empress expressed her great delight by applause. All present imitated her, and overwhelmed the little player with compliments. Even the quiet and sedate Herr Wagenseil frankly expressed his surprise. Wolfgang calmly accepted the ovation, keeping his delighted gaze upon the Empress, and said, “Now, your Majesty, have I not done my work well?”
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“Yes,” said the exalted sovereign; “notwithstanding your youth, you are already a great musician, whom we must admire. We heartily wish that your skill may increase with your years, until at last you reach the very summit of your art.” ”

“ Let us thank God, and hope that the little mishap is not a bad omen.”
“Never fear, little mother,” said Wolfgang, cheerfully. “I shall not break down in Paris. You can rely upon that.”
Father Mozart had to laugh at the boy’s amusing consolation, and his indignation speedily subsided. “Well,” said he, “what has happened can’t be altered. With divine help we can bear this ill-luck patiently. I wonder if there is a smith or a wheelwright in the village who can repair the carriage. Say, driver, how soon can you have the damage your carelessness has caused made good?” ”

“ In the Wide World
It was the height of summer. The Archbishop of Salzburg had ordered his chapel to the neighboring Château of Heilbronn to entertain a number of invited guests with table music, and had sent them on in advance without any instructions, in his usually provoking and imperious manner. Although the members of his chapel were distinguished artists, he had no more respect for them, and particularly for Vice Chapelmaster Mozart, than for the dust under his feet, and treated them no better, sometimes,—indeed even worse,—than the lowest of his lackeys. ”

“ Little Wolfgang stood amazed, and looked confusedly, now at his mother, now at the sorry figure he presented. Shame and sorrow struggled in his childish face, and at last tears rolled down his flushed cheeks. “Oh, darling mother,” he suddenly exclaimed, rushing to her with outstretched arms, “Oh, my darling mother, do not be angry! We have only turned a few somersaults, but we will not do it again. We will be real nice, only don’t be angry with me, dear mother.”
The good woman could not resist the little one’s appeal. ”

“ Paris, London, Holland, and Vienna have been captivated by this wonder child.”
“Yes, ‘by this child,’” answered Padre Martini; “but Wolfgang is now leaving childhood. Although a boy, he is no longer a child, and he must now establish his claim as an artist. Though all the world may recognize him as such, he must first of all demonstrate it here. If our decision should elevate him to the rank of Cavaliere Filarmonico, his fame will be established. His piano, violin, and organ record cannot help him here. ”

“ He sat down to the piano, and Princess Adelaide, who was really a fine singer, began the cavatina. Wolfgang accompanied her, imperfectly of course, and sometimes incorrectly, for, as every musician knows, it is almost impossible to divine every modulation and digression in an unknown melody. The princess had hardly ended before Wolfgang requested her to repeat the cavatina, and this time accomplished what human ears had seldom, if ever, heard before. He not only played the melody with his right hand, but the bass accompaniment with his left, apparently with the greatest facility. ”

“ In the meantime Wolfgang went to his sister, took her by the hand, and led her to the Empress without any ceremony. “See, Your Majesty,” said he, introducing her, “this is Nannerl, my sister. She plays as well as I do.” The Empress laughed heartily at the odd ways of the little fellow, addressed a few kind words to Nannie, and then beckoned to Father Mozart, with whom she conversed most affably about the children and music. In the meantime Wolfgang and Nannie chatted with the princes and princesses, and Wolfgang was so loud in his praises of his sister that it attracted Maria Theresa’s notice. ”

“ May I ask you to run through them so that I may have your judgment on them?”
“Certainly; we shall be a thousand times glad to play them,” replied Father Mozart. “What are these nice things?”
“Six violin trios,” answered Wenzel, taking them from his pocket and handing them to Father Mozart. “Their composition has been a great pleasure to me, but whether my poor talent will satisfy you is another question.”
“Well, we shall soon see,” said Father Mozart. “We will play the trios through and then have some of the food and drink my good wife has so generously provided. ”

“ With his usual consideration and far-sightedness, Father Mozart had provided himself with letters of introduction to several of the best families in Paris, which secured him an unexpectedly courteous and kindly reception. The leading people planned a public appearance for the children in a style befitting their reputation, and succeeded in engaging a prominent theatre for their concerts,—a favor rarely granted to travelling artists. The concerts were duly announced and given, and, as usual, Wolfgang was enthusiastically received by large audiences of the highest social standing. ”

“ When Wolfgang was himself once more, his father went to the family physician, told him his trouble, and requested him to assist in overcoming his son’s peculiar sensibility. The physician reassured him. “Do not worry about this, Herr Vice Chapelmaster,” he said. “Medical treatment can do nothing for him. Wolfgangerl is still but a tender child, and the cause of his aversion to loud, shrill, and piercing noises lies in his delicate organism. Let him alone a few years. When he has greater physical strength his dislike of the trumpet will disappear of itself. ”

“ He must submit to the most difficult test. The boy is yet very young, and the honor of the Academy is at stake,” replied Padre Martini, unmoved by his friend’s protest. “If he do not succeed it will be no disgrace for one so young, and he will have the consolation of knowing that older musicians have failed in like manner; but should he succeed in this hard contest, then, Farinelli, his fame will be as lofty and enduring as the stars.” ”

“ We are on our way to Paris, where Nannerl and I are to play before the King and Queen.”
“You, child!” said the lady in surprise. “What can you play?”
“The piano, violin, or organ, just which is most desired.”
“Impossible! It is impossible for such a little man as you.”
“Why is it impossible? I played last winter before the Empress Maria Theresa, in Vienna. Why should I not play here? Have you not heard anything about me?”
“No, my child, to tell the truth I have not.”
“Then you do not read the papers much,” said Wolfgang. “They have had whole columns about me. Try to remember, fair lady ”

“ Keep both in your heart as long as you live and all will be well with you,” said Father Mozart, with great emotion, as he laid his hand in blessing upon the child’s curly head. The mother and sister also entered and offered their congratulations. While this was going on little Wolfgang mounted the stool, struck an attitude, and recited his little address, not only correctly and in good voice, but with heartfelt emotion. ”

“ And the world will not fail to say this if we sneak away now without accomplishing our purpose.”
“You are right, father,” proudly replied Wolfgang. His sense of honor was now aroused for the first time, as could be seen by his flashing eyes. “I will make them hear me, and once they listen I shall succeed.” Boldly advancing to the card-table, he bowed, and said to the King: “Will Your Majesty have the kindness to give me a theme for improvising?”
The King looked up with surprise, for it now occurred to him he had been so engrossed with card-playing that he had utterly forgotten the children. ”