Among the Great Masters of Music: Scenes in the Lives of Famous MusiciansRowlands, Walter
History
Among the Great Masters of Music: Scenes in the Lives of Famous Musicians
Rowlands, Walter
Music in art; Musicians -- Biography; Musicians -- Portraits
Among the first of these offers was one from Lord Middlesex, inviting
Tartini to London, and hinting that a visit to England would probably
bring him in at least three thousand pounds; but it was declined in the
following disinterested language: "I have a wife with the same
sentiments as myself, and no children. We are perfectly contented with
our position, and if we wish for anything, it is, certainly, not to
possess more than we have at present." The remainder of his long and
famous career passed quietly, dedicated to study, composition, and
teaching. The school founded by him in 1728 soon became famous all
over Europe, and sent out some of the most noted violinists. Padua was
then the place of pilgrimage for all violinists, and it was not without
cause that Tartini's countrymen called him "il maestro delle nazioni."
This period of Tartini's labour is, above all, remarkable for his
theoretic researches. Already, in 1714, he had discovered the
combination tones (the so-called "third" or Tartini's tone). This
discovery, a lasting and valuable acquisition to all later
investigations into acoustics, led him further and further, but apart
from the exact road of natural science into the nebulous regions of
mystic philosophy. Tartini taught that with the problem of harmony
would also be solved the mystery of creation, that divinity itself
would be revealed in the mystical symbols of the tone relations. In
these mystical investigations, the composer believed himself
particularly favoured by the grace of God.
The German composer, Naumann, who became Tartini's pupil at an early
age, and who enjoyed his favour as no other did, has written down many
remarkable facts concerning the master. To be initiated into the last
secrets of the art of tone and the universe was Naumann's most ardent
wish, but he was always put off to some future time as not yet being
quite mature and worthy enough. Naumann's illustrations of Tartini's
teachings resemble more a mystic and ecstatic sermon than a musical
theory. Tartini died without having spoken his last word. His
character in this last period of his life appears to have been amiable,
mild, and benevolent. The sharp and violent disposition of his wife
did not make him happy, but he nevertheless always remained considerate
and tender toward her. He died in Padua, at the age of seventy-eight,
on the sixteenth of February, 1770, and lies buried in the Church of
St. Catherine. He perfected the art of bowing, composed eighteen
concertos for five instruments, as well as several trios and a number
of sonatas, and left a treatise on music. Doctor Burney translated and
published, in 1779, a long letter of instructions for playing the
violin which Tartini wrote from Padua, in 1760, to "My very much
Esteemed Signora Maddalena." It can also be found in the life of "Ole
Bull," who had a very high opinion of what Tartini must have been as a
teacher.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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