genius; and he felt that, had he lived, he would have been one of the greatest ornaments of the musical world. After supper the young branches of our host had a dance, and Mozart joined them. Madame Mozart told me, that great as his genius was, he was an enthusiast in dancing, and often said that his taste lay in that art, rather than in music. He was a remarkably small man, very thin and pale, with a profusion of fine fair hair, of which he was rather vain. He gave me a cordial invitation to his house, of which I availed myself, and passed a great part of my time there. He always received me with kindness and hospitality.-He was remarkably fond of punch, of which beverage I have seen him take copious draughts. He was also fond of billiards, and had an excellent billiard table in his house. Many and many a game have I played with him, but always came off second best. He gave Sunday concerts, at which I never was missing. He was kind-hearted, and always ready to oblige; but so very particular, when he played, that if the slightest noise were made, he instantly left off. He one day made me sit down to the piano, and gave credit to my first master, who had taught me to place my hand well on the instrument. He conferred on me what I considered a high compliment. I had composed a little melody to Metastasio's canzonetta, "Grazie agl' inganni tuoi," which was a great favourite wherever I sang it. It was very simple, but had the good fortune to please Mozart. He took it and composed variations upon it, which were truly butiful; and had the further kindness and condescension to play them wherever he had an opportunity. Thinking that the air thus rendered remarkabl、 might be acceptable to some of my musical readers, I have subjoined it. Encouraged by his flattering approbation, I attempted several little airs, which I shewed him, and which he kindly approved of; so much indeed, that I determined to devote myself to the study of counterpoint, and consulted with him, by whom I ought to be instructed.-He said, "My good lad, you ask my advice, and I will give it you candidly; had you studied composition when you were at Naples, and when your mind was not devoted to other pursuits, you would perhaps have done wisely; but now that your profession of the stage must, and ought, to occupy all your attention, it would be an unwise measure to enter into a dry study. You may take my word for it, Nature has made you a melodist, and you would only disturb and perplex yourself. Reflect, a little knowledge is a danger ous thing;'-should there be errors in what you write, you will find hundreds of musicians, in all The Redry by METASTASID. The Melody composic by stICHAEL KELLY, and arranged by MOZART, with variations at VIENNA in the your 1787. Published by Henry Colburn, London, July, 1825. 2nd Odi se lo Son Sincero Ancor mi sembri Bella Che paragon non ha' Da Capo lo Lascio un incostante Non trovera Piu Nice Che un altra Ingrannatrice Da Capo Grazie agl'inganni tuoi &c. Eng! by Sid Hall, Bury Str. Bloomsh" tör Kelly's Memoirs. Vol 1 page 224. |