A WEIRD STORY. CHOPIN'S FUNERAL MARCH

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 222, 19 September 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

A WEIRD STORY. CHOPIN'S FUNERAL MARCH

The following remarkable story Is said to contain the origin of .Chopin's " March Funebre." It is "Told by Ziem, in whose studio the scene took place" : ;

"Late one afternoon in summer Chopin and I sat talking- in my studio. In one corner of the room stood a piano, and in another the complete skeleton of a man, with a large white cloth thrown, ghostlike, about it. 1 noticed that now and again Chopin's gaze would wander, and from my. knowledge of the man, I knew, that his thoughts wore far away from me and his surroundings. More than that I knew that he was composing. Presently he rose,from his seat without a word, WALKED OVER TO THE SKELETON and removed the cloth. He then carried it to the piaiio,' and seating himself, took the hideous object upon his knees. A strange picture of life and death. Then drawing the white cloth round himself and the skeleton, he laid thclatter's fingers over his own, arid began to play. As the music swelled in a louder strain, I closed my eyes. And I knew/that I was listening to a composition that would live for ever. The music ceased and when I looked up the piano chair was empty and on the floor lay Chopin's unconscious form, and beside him smashed all to pieces was the skeleton I prized so much. The great composer had swooned but his march was found." ;