MOZART'S OXEN" WALTZ.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 185, 13 October 1876, Page 12

MOZART'S OXEN" WALTZ.

Tht sensitive nature of Mozart, that sweetest of all musical 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 Btory strikingly illustrates this : — Mozart was engaged in arranging one of the most beautiful airs in an opera he was composing, when the butcher called for his pay, which had long been due. In vain his 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 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 intruders. But the steps were approaching. Mozart more anxious, hurried as fast as he could, when a rap at the door demanded permission to enter. The beautif ul 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 bis anxiety. Large drops of perspiration stood on his forehead. Stemming the pole against his left breast with a force 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 and hurrying towards the pianoforte. Down he sat, and the most delightful pir 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 writingdesk, he filled 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 blood-stained Ait beat a feeling heart; " you make me a fine waltz for my marriage ball, and I will cancel the debt, and let you have meat for a year to come." "Itis 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 before heard. " Meat for a year, did I say ?" exclaimed the enraptured butcher. " No ! one hundred ducats you shall have for this waltz : but I want it with trumpets, and horns, 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 delighted L with the music, and paid Mozart his one hundred ducats — a sum 5 more splendid than he had ever '.received from the Emperor for the ' gravest of bis operas. L It is to this incident that 'the lovers of harmony are indebted L for one of the most charming trifles, the celebrated oxen waltz — a r piece of music still unrivalled.