http://www.arcamax.com/biography/b-1085-1
Life of Chopin
LIFE OF CHOPIN
by Franz Liszt (Translated from the French by Martha Walker Cook)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION DEDICATION OF THE TRANSLATION TO
JAN PYCHOWSKI PREFACE CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION
The following is an e-text of "Life of Chopin," written by Franz Liszt
and translated from the french by Martha Walker Cook. The original
edition was published in 1863; a fourth, revised edition (1880) was
used in making this e-text. This e-text reproduces the fourth edition
essentially unabridged, with original spellings intact, numerous
typographical errors corrected, and words italicized in the original
text capitalized in this e-text. In making this e-text, each page was
cut out of the original book with an x-acto knife to feed the pages
into an Automatic Document Feeder scanner for scanning. Hence, the
book was disbinded in order to save it. Thanks to Charles Franks and
the Online Distributed Proofreading team for help in proofreading this
e- text.
DEDICATION OF THE TRANSLATION TO JAN PYCHOWSKI
"Without your consent or knowledge, I have ventured to dedicate this
translation to you!
As the countryman of Chopin, and filled with the same earnest
patriotism which distinguished him; as an impassioned and perfect
Pianist, capable, of reproducing his difficult compositions in all the
subtle tenderness, fire, energy, melancholy, despair, caprice, hope,
delicacy and startling vigor which they imperiously exact; as thorough
master of the complicated instrument to which he devoted his best
powers; as an erudite and experienced possessor of that abstruse and
difficult science, music; as a composer of true, deep, and highly
original genius,-- this dedication is justly made to you!
Even though I may have wounded your characteristically haughty,
shrinking, and Sclavic susceptibilities in rendering so public a
tribute to your artistic skill, forgive me! The high moral worth and
manly rectitude which distinguish you, and which alone render even the
most sublime genius truly illustrious in the eyes of woman, almost
force these inadequate and imperfect words from the heart of the
translator.
M.W.C.
PREFACE
To a people, always prompt in its recognition of genius, and ready to
sympathize in the joys and woes of a truly great artist, this work
will be one of exceeding interest. It is a short, glowing, and
generous sketch, from the hand of Franz Liszt, (who, considered in the
double light of composer and performer, has no living equal,) of the
original and romantic Chopin; the most ethereal, subtle, and delicate
among our modern tone-poets. It is a rare thing for a great artist to
write on art, to leave the passionate worlds of sounds or colors for
the colder realm of words; rarer still for him to abdicate, even
temporarily, his own throne, to stand patiently and hold aloft the
blazing torch of his own genius, to illume the gloomy grave of
another: yet this has Liszt done through love for Chopin.
It is a matter of considerable interest to note how the nervous and
agile fingers, accustomed to sovereign rule over the keys, handle the
pen; how the musician feels as a man; how he estimates art and
artists. Liszt is a man of extensive culture, vivid imagination, and
great knowledge of the world; and, in addition to their high artistic
value, his lines glow with poetic fervor, with impassioned eloquence.
His musical criticisms are refined and acute, but without repulsive
technicalities or scientific terms, ever sparkling with the poetic
ardor of the generous soul through which the discriminating, yet
appreciative awards were poured. Ah! in these days of degenerate
rivalries and bitter jealousies, let us welcome a proof of affection
so tender as his "Life of Chopin"!
It would be impossible for the reader of this book to remain ignorant
of the exactions of art. While, through its eloquence and subtle
analysis of character, it appeals to the cultivated literary tastes of
our people, it opens for them a dazzling perspective into that strange
world of tones, of whose magical realm they know, comparatively
speaking, so little. It is intelligible to all who think or feel;
requiring no knowledge of music for its comprehension.
The compositions of Chopin are now the mode, the rage. Every one asks
for them, every one tries to play them. We have, however, but few
remarks upon the peculiarities of his style, or the proper manner of
producing his works. His compositions, generally perfect in form, are
never abstract conceptions, but had their birth in his soul, sprang
from the events of his life, and are full of individual and national
idiosyncrasies, of psychological interest. Liszt knew Chopin both as
man and artist; Chopin loved to hear him interpret his music, and
himself taught the great Pianist the mysteries of his undulating
rhythm and original motifs. The broad and noble criticisms contained
in this book are absolutely essential for the musical culture of the
thousands now laboriously but vainly struggling to perform his
elaborate works, and who, having no key to their multiplied
complexities of expression, frequently fail in rendering them aright.
And the masses in this country, full of vivid perception and
intelligent curiosity, who, not playing themselves, would yet fain
follow with the heart compositions which they are told are of so much
artistic value, will here find a key to guide them through the tuneful
labyrinth. Some of Chopin's best works are analyzed herein. He wrote
for the HEART OF HIS PEOPLE; their joys, sorrows, and caprices are
immortalized by the power of his art. He was a strictly national
tone-poet, and to understand him fully, something must be known of the
brave and haughty, but unhappy country which he so loved. Liszt felt
this, and has been exceedingly happy in the short sketch given of
Poland. We actually know more of its picturesque and characteristic
customs after a perusal of his graphic pages, than after a long course
of dry historical details. His remarks on the Polonaise and Mazourka
are full of the philosophy and essence of history. These dances grew
directly from the heart of the Polish people; repeating the martial
valor and haughty love of noble exhibition of their men; the
tenderness, devotion, and subtle coquetry of their women-- they were
of course favorite forms with Chopin; their national character made
them dear to the national poet. The remarks of Liszt on these dances
are given with a knowledge so acute of the traits of the nation in
which they originated, with such a gorgeousness of description and
correctness of detail, that they rather resemble a highly finished
picture, than a colder work of words only. They have all the splendor
of a brilliant painting. He seizes the secrets of the nationality of
these forms, traces them through the heart of the Polish people,
follows them through their marvelous transfiguration in the pages of
the Polish artist, and reads by their light much of the sensitive and
exclusive character of Chopin, analyzing it with the skill of love,
while depicting it with romantic eloquence.
To those who can produce the compositions of Chopin in the spirit of
their author, no words are necessary. They follow with the heart the
poetic and palpitating emotions so exquisitely wrought through the
aerial tissue of the tones by this "subtle-souled Psychologist," this
bold and original explorer in the invisible world of sound;--all honor
to their genius:
"Oh, happy! and of many millions, they The purest chosen, whom Art's
service pure Hallows and claims--whose hearts are made her throne,
Whose lips her oracle, ordained secure, To lead a priestly life, and
feed the ray Of her eternal shrine, to them alone Her glorious
countenance unveiled is shown: Ye, the high brotherhood she links,
rejoice In the great rank allotted by her choice! The loftiest rank
the spiritual world sublime, Rich with its starry thrones, gives to
the sons of Time!"
Schiller.
Short but glowing sketches of Heine, Meyerbeer, Adolphe Nourrit,
Hiller, Eugene Delacroix, Niemcevicz, Mickiewicz, and Madame Sand,
occur in the book. The description of the last days of poor Chopin's
melancholy life, with the untiring devotion of those around him,
including the beautiful countess, Delphine Potocka; his cherished
sister, Louise; his devoted friend and pupil, M. Gutman, with the
great Liszt himself, is full of tragic interest.
No pains have been spared by the translator to make the translation
acceptable, for the task was truly a labor of love. No motives of
interest induced the lingering over the careful rendering of the
charmed pages, but an intense desire that our people should know more
of musical art; that while acknowledging the generosity and eloquence
of Liszt, they should learn to appreciate and love the more subtle
fire, the more creative genius of the unfortunate, but honorable and
honored artist, Chopin.
Perchance Liszt may yet visit us; we may yet hear the matchless
Pianist call from their graves in the white keys, the delicate
arabesques, the undulating and varied melodies, of Chopin. We should
be prepared to appreciate the great Artist in his enthusiastic
rendering of the master-pieces of the man he loved; prepared to greet
him when he electrifies us with his wonderful Cyclopean harmonies,
written for his own Herculean grasp, sparkling with his own Promethean
fire, which no meaner hand can ever hope to master! "Hear Liszt and
die," has been said by some of his enthusiastic admirers--understand
him and live, were the wiser advice!
In gratitude then to Chopin for the multiplied sources of high and
pure pleasure which he has revealed to humanity in his creations, that
human woe and sorrow become pure beauty when his magic spell is on
them, the translator calls upon all lovers of the beautiful "to
contribute a stone to the pyramid now rapidly erecting in honor of the
great modern composer"--ay, the living stone of appreciation,
crystalized in the enlightened gratitude of the heart.
"So works this music upon earth God so admits it, sends it forth. To
add another worth to worth--
A new creation-bloom that rounds The old creation, and expounds
His Beautiful in tuneful sounds."