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Huneker, James, 1860-1921

"Chopin : the Man and His Music"

This may be found in No. 179 of the Edition
Steingraber. Philipp's collection is published in Paris by J.
Hamelle, and is prefixed by some interesting remarks of Georges
Mathias. Chopin's portrait in 1833, after Vigneron, is included.
One composition more is to be considered. In 1837 Chopin
contributed the sixth variation of the march from "I Puritani."
These variations were published under the title: "Hexameron:
Morceau de Concert. Grandes Variations de bravoure sur la marche
des Puritans de Bellini, composees pour le concert de Madame la
Princesse Belgiojoso au benefice des pauvres, par MM. Liszt,
Thalberg, Pixis, H. Herz, Czerny et Chopin." Liszt wrote an
orchestral accompaniment, never published. His pupil, Moriz
Rosenthal, is the only modern virtuoso who plays the Hexameron in
his concerts, and play it he does with overwhelming splendor.
Chopin's contribution in E major is in his sentimental, salon
mood. Musically, it is the most impressive of this extraordinary
mastodonic survival of the "pianistic" past.
The newly published Fugue--or fugato--in A minor, in two voices,
is from a manuscript in the possession of Natalie Janotha, who
probably got it from the late Princess Czartoryska, a pupil of
the composer.


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