n melody and general conception his tone-poems sprang spontaneously
from his glowing fancy, but they were subjected to the most severe
tests before they were permitted to go out into the world. Every
ingenious device that gave character to his exquisite cantilena, and
softened his most startling chord progressions, was evolved by the vivid
imagination of this master from hitherto hidden qualities of the
pianoforte. Without him neither it nor modern music could have been what
it is. An accentuation like the ringing of distant bells is frequently
heard in his music. To him bell tones were ever ringing, reminding him
of home, summoning him to the heights.

James Huneker, the raconteur of the Musical Courier, discussing the
compositions of Chopin, in his delightful and inspiring book, "Chopin,
the Man and His Music," calls the studies Titanic experiments; the
preludes, moods in miniature; the nocturnes, night and its melancholy
mysteries; the ballades, faery dramas; the polonaises, heroic hymns of
battle; the valses and mazurkas, dances of the soul; the scherzos, the
work of Chopin the conqueror. In the sonatas and concertos he sees the
princely Pole bravely carrying his banner amid classical currents. For
the impromptus alone he has found no name and says of them: "To write of
the four impromptus in their own key of unrestrained feeling and
pondered intention would not be as easy as recapturing the first
'careless rapture of the lark.'"

Unquestionably the poetry of Chopin is of the most exquisite lyric
character, his leadership is supreme. So original was his conception, so
finished his workmanship, so sublime his purpose, that we may well
exclaim with Schumann, "He is the boldest, proudest poetic spirit of the
time." "His greatness is his aristocracy," says Oscar Bie. "He stands
among musicians in his faultless vesture, a noble from head to foot."

[Illustration: PAGANINI]

VIII

Violins and Violinists--Fact and Fable

That fine old bard who shaped the character of Volker the Fiddler in the
Nibelungen Lay, had a glowing vision of the power of music and of the
violin. Players on the videl, or fiddle, abounded in the days of
chivalry, but Volker, glorified by genius, rises superior to his fellow
minstrels. The inspiring force of his martial strains renewed the
courage of way-worn heroes. His gentle measures, pure and melodious as a
prayer, lulled them to sorely-needed rest.

And what a wonderful bow he wiel