THE LAST CHORDS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 26, 27 March 1891, Page 11

THE LAST CHORDS.

In the year 1844 Prince Frederick was in his thirteenth year. Hia music lesson was over one day, and bis teacher, Reichardt, the composer of the German patriotic song, " What is the German Fatherland? " was going away, when the prince said : " Herr Reichardt, papa's birthday will be the 22nd of March. Herr Dr. Curtis thought it would be nice for me t) learn sjmetbmg special for that day. Will you kiadly choosa something suitable 7 It may ba somethiug difficult, so that papa sees that 1 have taken pains to please him. Papa loves music full of soft and tender feeliug. "

'■ Yes, royal highness, then we must take a pretty adagio. H— m h— m," replied R ichardt, who rummage! about the music to find something suitable. Fimlly he he*d a piece in his hand longer than he had h^ld the others.

" Is that suitable, fierr Reichardt? "

" Your royal highness, we are not far enough advanced. This ia too diffijuK It is the adagio from Schumann's (F sharp minor), sonata. It wi 1 not do. The time is too snort."

" Oh, H-srr Reichardt," said the prince coaxiogly, " I shall be very industrious. Please, please 1 It wil, do— it muatdol" The priDce added giily: "Ie will not do 'adagio.' It will go 'forte.' That is what p-ipa always says to ma."

The difficult adagio was studied with diligence, pains and perseverance. Ou the 22ad of March tne yjung princj surprised his illustrious father by the performance of the splendid piece, which he played with astonishing firmness and great feeling. His father presented him with a complete outfit of tools for cabinet work for his diligence.

Forty-four years after at the imposing castle of Friedrichakron lay the noble Kaiser Fnednch, the heroic sufLrer. His former clear and sunny eyes looked tired. Oaly at times he sjemod to revive— wheu he lookel throug i the open window into the chief avenue which passes from Pottsdam through the royal gardens at the castle. Then more light and cheerfulness came into his eyes,

The empress entered. She tri«l to loot cheerful as she sat down beside the sick bed of her beloved husband. His countenance suddenly hghte Inp with a smile at hia true and tried companion. With a motion of his hand he signed to her that the pleasant weather pleased him so much.

Towards the last the sufferer could not speak, and he preferred to make signs rather than write notes. The empress asked her husband whether he aad special wishes, aud after a little pause he motiooed piano pla}in».

" Who shall play ? " aßkeda B ked the empress. Then she added, " Will it not excite you too much 1 "

"No," motioned the kaiser. Then he wrote a little note. "I wish to hear good music ; could not Kufer, Victoria's teacher, come 1 "

" I shall have him askei to come," said the empress. He is over in the Bornstedter church now giving her orgau lessons."

The empress gave the required directions, and the composer of " Merlin" appeared. There was a piano in the adjoining room, the doors were opened, and the artist seated himself at the piano. The kaiser requested to bear several of his favourite melodies, and listened with evident pleasure to the heart touching tune language.

The master, overcome with emotion, had already played several pieces of his own and of the compositions ot others. The kaiser had him thanked every time aod asked for more. The closing chords of a melody had again died away when the empress asked him, full ot concern, " Tired, or does it escite yon ? "

The kaiser answered in the neg ttive and again wrote a note : " Only one yet— an adagio from a sonata. It shall be the last." The master in the next room complied with the dying kaiser's wish. He seated himself again at the piano and played a splendid adagio. The sick kaiter listened. His eyes grew brighter, He motioned to the empress and wrote with feverish haste several words ; " Forty years.

fcgo I played this adagio for my papa's birthbayi Certainly not so well. Very pretty. Thanks, Eufer. Last piece j then sleep." I - It was really the last piece, this adagio. They were the last musical tones that reached the dying monarch's eara. — Pailadelphia limes.