“How so?” I asked. “It happened this way: We went to hear an opera the other night, and such music as we heard! The angels in heaven could not sing any better, and that music they said was made by one Weber. And now my boy won’t be anything else but just such a Weber” (Weaver). Singing by Sight To the manager of the opera at K. came one day a young girl to be examined for a position in the chorus. After she had sung a scale, he asked her among other questions if she could sing by sight, to which she replied: “Oh yes, if I know it by heart.” “Are you at all musical?” “Oh no; I am Catholic!” Shoes Versus Music The younger Pixis was to play at Hanover a concert of Mozart’s. His father kept him hard at practicing, but he seemed listless and paid very little attention to his playing. The elder Pixis, very anxious that all his sons should succeed, chided him and said: “There is still time for you to learn something else. If you do not care to make a virtuoso of yourself, you might make a cobbler.” “Well, what loss would that be,” replied the little fellow. “Anybody can do without music, but not without shoes!” They Knew Nothing One time it occurred to a village organist, that by having some new church music, he might not only glorify a coming festival, but cover himself also with glory before his congregation. Telemann, the well-known composer of sacred music, who lived in the near-by city of Gotha, should compose it, and his colleagues from the surrounding villages with their choirs, should help in the rendition of it. So to Telemann the ambitious organist betook himself, and explained his errand. Now the composer knew him and his _confrères_ as miserable bunglers, and made all sorts of excuses, but the organist was persistent and would not be refused. Telemann, partly angry, partly amused, asked at last what the text for the cantata was to be. That the organist said he would leave to Telemann to choose, a Bible text or something equally appropriate would do. The composer finally consented, and asked him to arrange for the rehearsal, to which he promised to come himself and bring some friends. The morning of the festival brought Telemann and his friends. The scores were distributed. For the text the composer had chosen the line: “We know nothing against the Lord!” and had put it into a fugue.