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It is not necessary to attribute to him transcendent genius, but lie possessed, what was perhaps of equal value to the world, an intellect and temperament splendidly balanced to the artistic needs of his epoch. The list of Moscheles's numbered compositions reaches Op. 142, besides a large number of ephemeral productions which he did not care to preserve.
He made London his home for twenty years, and during this time became one of the most prominent figures in the art circles of that great city. Moscheles's mental accomplishments and singular geniality of nature contributed, with his very great abilities as a musician, to give him a position attained by but few artists.
We can not attempt to follow up the placid and gentle current of Moscheles's life, flowing on to ever-increasing honor and usefulness, but hasten to the period when he left England in 1846, to become associated with Mendelssohn in the conduct of the Leipzig Conservatorium, then recently organized.
Moscheles's diary tells the story of a man whose life, though one of tireless industry, was singularly serene and happy, and without those salient accidents and vicissitudes which make up the material of a picturesque life. He made almost yearly tours to the Continent for concert-giving purposes, and kept his friendship with the great composers of the Continent green by personal contact.
Naturally, a crowd of street-boys collected under the window, when he roared out, 'Now, what do these confounded boys want? I laughed and pointed to his own figure. 'Yes, yes! You are quite right, he said, and hastily put on a dressing-gown." Moscheles's associations were even at this early period with all the foremost people of the age, and he was cordially welcome in every circle.
The Artistic Circle into which he is received. Pictures of Art-Life in Paris. London and its Musical Celebrities. Career as a Wandering Virtuoso. Felix Mendelssohn becomes his Pupil. The Mendelssohn Family. Moscheles's Marriage to a Hamburg Lady. Settles in London. His Life as Teacher, Player, and Composer. Eminent Place taken by Moscheles among the Musicians of his Age.
Only a little hint from time to time was necessary for the marvelous youth, who had already begun to compose works which excited Moscheles's deepest admiration. In January, 1825, Moscheles, in the course of his musical wanderings, gave several concerts at Hamburg. Among the crowd of listeners who came to hear the great pianist was Charlotte Embden, the daughter of an excellent Hamburg family.
An adequate record of Moscheles's life during the twenty years of his London career would be a pretty full record of all matters of musical interest occurring during this time. In 1832 he was made one of the directors of the Philharmonic Society, and in 1837-'38 he conducted with signal success Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony."
Bather a Man of Remarkable Talents than of Genius. Moscheles's Description of him. The Illegitimate Son of an Austrian Prince. Early Introduction to Musical Society in London and Vienna. Beginning of his Career as a Virtuoso. The Brilliancy of his Career. Is appointed Court Pianist to the Emperor of Austria. His Marriage. Visits to America. Thalborg's Artistic Idiosyncrasy.
These areopagites of music set the mighty seal of their approval on Moscheles's genius. He was invited everywhere, to dinners, balls, and fêtes, and there was no salon in Paris so high and exclusive which did not feel itself honored by his presence.
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