ttle. It is intelligible to all who think or feel; requiring no
knowledge of music for its comprehension.

The compositions of Chopin are now the mode, the rage. Every one asks
for them, every one tries to play them. We have, however, but few
remarks upon the peculiarities of his style, or the proper manner of
producing his works. His compositions, generally perfect in form, are
never abstract conceptions, but had their birth in his soul, sprang
from the events of his life, and are full of individual and national
idiosyncrasies, of psychological interest. Liszt knew Chopin both as man
and artist; Chopin loved to hear him interpret his music, and himself
taught the great Pianist the mysteries of his undulating rhythm and
original motifs. The broad and noble criticisms contained in this book
are absolutely essential for the musical culture of the thousands now
laboriously but vainly struggling to perform his elaborate works, and
who, having no key to their multiplied complexities of expression,
frequently fail in rendering them aright.

And the masses in this country, full of vivid perception and intelligent
curiosity, who, not playing themselves, would yet fain follow with the
heart compositions which they are told are of so much artistic value,
will here find a key to guide them through the tuneful labyrinth. Some
of Chopin's best works are analyzed herein. He wrote for the HEART OF
HIS PEOPLE; their joys, sorrows, and caprices are immortalized by
the power of his art. He was a strictly national tone-poet, and to
understand him fully, something must be known of the brave and haughty,
but unhappy country which he so loved. Liszt felt this, and has been
exceedingly happy in the short sketch given of Poland. We actually know
more of its picturesque and characteristic customs after a perusal of
his graphic pages, than after a long course of dry historical details.
His remarks on the Polonaise and Mazourka are full of the philosophy
and essence of history. These dances grew directly from the heart of
the Polish people; repeating the martial valor and haughty love of noble
exhibition of their men; the tenderness, devotion, and subtle coquetry
of their women--they were of course favorite forms with Chopin; their
national character made them dear to the national poet. The remarks of
Liszt on these dances are given with a knowledge so acute of the traits
of the nation in which they originated, with such a gorgeousness of
descri