franchomme's

It is hardly necessary to point out that it was this fatal number which fixed the date in Franchomme's memory. But supposing Chopin and George Sand to have really met at the Marquis de Custine's, was this their first meeting? I put the question to Liszt in the course of a conversation I had with him some years ago in Weimar.

Frederick Niecks - Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician — Volume 2

I will now make the reader acquainted with the hitherto unpublished account of Madame Rubio, who declared solemnly that her version was correct in every detail. Franchomme's version, as given in Madame Audley's book on Chopin, differs in several points from that of Madame Rubio; I shall, therefore, reproduce it for comparison in a foot-note.

Frederick Niecks - Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician — Volume 2

Before I proceed with my account of it, I must quote a note, enclosing tickets for this concert, which Chopin wrote at this time to Franchomme. It runs thus: "The best places en evidence for Madame D., but not for her cook." Madame D. was Madame Paul Delaroche, the wife of the great painter, and a friend of Franchomme's. But here is a copy of the original programme:

Frederick Niecks - Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician — Volume 2

We have, then, the choice of two explanations of the rupture: George Sand's, that it was caused by the disagreement of Chopin and her son; and Franchomme's, that it was brought about by Chopin's disregard of George Sand's injunction not to receive her daughter and son-in-law.

Frederick Niecks - Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician — Volume 2

Otto Goldschmidt, who was present at the concert on February 16, 1848, gave some interesting recollections of it, after the reading of a paper on the subject of Chopin, by Mr. In connection with what Mr. Goldschmidt and the writer in the Gazette musicale say about the difficulty of admission and a sifted list, I have to record, and I shall do no more than record, Franchomme's denial.

Frederick Niecks - Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician — Volume 2

After reading the letters addressed to them one comes to the conclusion that Fontana's and Franchomme's serviceableness and readiness to serve went for something in his appreciation of them as friends. At any rate, he did not hesitate to exploiter them most unconscionably.

Frederick Niecks - Frederick Chopin, as a Man and Musician — Volume 2