MOZART'S OXEN WALTZ.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 223, 9 January 1877, Page 2

MOZART'S OXEN WALTZ.

The sensitive nature of Mozart, that sweetest of all music composers, is well known. The slightest discord produced in him severe irritation, and when engaged in musical composition, his feelings grew so intense that he almost lost consciousness of all going on around him. The following story strikingly illustrates this :—Mozart was encawed in arranging one of the most beautiful airs in all the opera he was composing, when the butcher callcl for his pay, which had long been due. In vain hi 3 wife endeavored to attract the attention of the rapt artist, who scribbled away, utterly unconscious of her presence. She ran down stairs with tears in her eyes, telling the butcher that her husband could not be spoken to, and that he must come another time. But the man of blood was not easily to be daunted — he must have his bill settled, and speak with Mozart himself, or he would not send him another ounce of meat. He ascended the stairs. Mozart, distinctly conscious that something had passed in his presence, had continued pouring the effusions of his fantasia on paper when the footsteps resounded in the hall. His stick was at hand. Without turning his eyes from the sheet, he held his stick against the door to keep out intrudersBut the steps were approaching. Mozart, more anxious, hurried as fast as he could, when a rap at the door demanded permission to enter. The beautiful effusion was in danger of being lost. The affrighted composer cast a furtive glance at his stick—it was too short. With anxiety bordering on frenzy, he looked around his room, and a pole standing behind the curtain caught his eye ; this he seized, holding it with all his might behind the door, writing like fury; all the while. The knob was turned, but the pole withstood the first effort. A pause succeeded. Words were heard on the staircase, and the intruders renewed their efforts the second time. But the strength of the composer seemed to increase with his anxiety. Large drops of perspiration stood on his forehead. Stemming the pole against his left breast with the strength of despair, he still kept out the visitors. He succeeded but for a moment; yet it was a precious moment—the delightful air was poured upon the paper —it was saved ! "Mr. Mozart," said the butcher. "Halt! halt!" said the composer, seizing the manuscript, and hurrying towards the pianoforte. Down -he sat, and the most delightful air that was ever heard responded from the instrument. The eyes of the wife, and even the butcher's, began to moisten. Mozart finished the tune, rose again, and running to the'writing-desk, he rilled out what was wanted. "Well, Mr. Mozart," said the butcher, when the artist had finished, "you know I am to marry," "No, I do not," said Mozart, who had somewhat recovered from his musical trance. " Well, then, you know it now; and you also know that you owe' me money for meat." - ■--'--' - - ■' "I do," said Mozart, with a sigh. , . .!. " Never mind," said.the man, under whose bloodstained coat beat a feeling heart-;

" you maKeme a nne waiozviqr my marr >, «a mil cancel the debt," and let have meat for a year to come." "\\ "It is a bargain !"' cried the lively and gifted Mozart; and down he sat, and a waltz was elicited from the instrument—such a - waltz as the butcher had never heard before. "Meat for a year, did I say?" exclaimed . the enraptured Butcher. "IS!b! one hundred ducats you shall have for this waltz _ ; but I want it with horns, and trumpets, and fiddles —you know best—and soon, too !" ■ > ; "You shall have it so," said Mozart, who could scarcely trust his ears, " and in one hour you may send for it." The liberal-minded butcher retired. In an hour the waltz was set in full orchestra music. The butcher returned, was with the music, and paid Mozarthundred ducats —a sum more splendid than he had ever received from the Emperor for the gravest of his operas. It is to this incident that the lovers of harmony are indebted for one of the most charming trifles, the celebrated "Oxen Waltz " —a piece of music still unrivalled.