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He went about, hobnobbed with
princesses, and of the effect of this upon his compositions there
can be no doubt. If he became more cosmopolitan he also became
more artificial and for a time the salon with its perfumed,
elegant atmosphere threatened to drug his talent into
forgetfulness of loftier aims. Luckily the master-sculptor Life
intervened and real troubles chiselled his character on tragic,
broader and more passionate lines. He played frequently in public
during 1832-1833 with Hiller, Liszt, Herz and Osborne, and much
in private. There was some rivalry in this parterre of pianists.
Liszt, Chopin and Hiller indulged in friendly contests and Chopin
always came off winner when Polish music was essayed. He
delighted in imitating his colleagues, Thalberg especially.
Adolphe Brisson tells of a meeting of Sand, Chopin and Thalberg,
where, as Mathias says, the lady "chattered like a magpie" and
Thalberg, after being congratulated by Chopin on his magnificent
virtuosity, reeled off polite phrases in return; doubtless he
valued the Pole's compliments for what they were worth.


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