Mary Baldwin College - Bluestocking Yearbook (Staunton, VA)

Page 31 text:

The Mary Baldwin Srniinary. 25 ashes. Others, that it is intended to represent the wanderings of spirits npon this earth. Irving has Ijeautifully expressed this belief in souls revisiting the earth after death. What could be more consoling than the idea, that the souls of those whom we once loved were permitted to return and watch over our welfare ? That afifectionate and guardian spirits sat by our pillows when we slept, keeping a vigil over our most helpless hours. Tliat beauty and innocence which had languished into the tomb, yet smiled unseen around us, dreams wherein we we live over again the hours of past endearment ? A deep spirit of patriotism breathes in most of Chopin ' s music. His love for his country was the absorbing, passionate hope of his life. When Warsaw was taken by the Russians, he wrote his great Revolution Etude, so noble in its con- tent. Liszt in speaking of his polonaises says: ' ' We can al- most catch the firm tread way the more than firm, the heavy, resolute tread of men bravely facing all the bitter injustice which the most cruel and relentless destiny can offer, with the manly pride of unflinching courage. The polonaise is characteristic of Poland. We see vividly pictured before us a grand military dance. Perhaps, it is the eve of a battle, when all hearts beat high with hope, or, per- haps, it is the celebration of a great victory. The men are in t heir brilliant uniforms, the silver trimming of which reflect the myriad lights of the ball room. The women of Poland are acknowledged the most beautiful and fascinating ' of the earth, Parisians in their grace and culture. Eastern dancing girls in their languid fire. The dancers form in couples. The host selects the lady of highest social rank, and they take their places at the head of the line. The more intricate the figures through which he leads them, the more beautiful the polonaise. His aim is to present surprises. From one grand saloon to another they go, and at every turn some beautiful work of art delights the eye. What a gorgeous sight it is— that long line of light ! Men, handsome as Apollo, women, beautiful as Hebe, gentle, scintillating, brilhant colors mingling, a living rainbow whose breath and motion lend it an enchantment far exceeding nature ' s own.

Page 30 text:

24 The Annual of And there is that little piece — the very first one I ever took. I shall never forget my pride when my teacher gave it to me. A real, sure enough piece ! No little musical study in my ex- ercise book, but a piece found all by itself! My Chopin album has the first place in my heart, and the Sonata op. 35 is my favorite of his compositions. The music is at fir.st wild and warlike. A victorious hero with his army is marching home, triumphant. His heart beats happily. The music now changes, and becomes soft and low. It is a melody of beautiful sweetness. Mixed with the hero ' s joy of victory, is a tenderer strain. She, his promised bride, awaits him, and his thoughts have turned to her. Again the wild, war music comes in. The army is nearing the city now, where expectant throngs will crown their brows. But suddenly, in the midst of all this jo3 the deep, sombre tones of a funeral march are heard, and the muffled tread of soldiers as they follow a body to the grave. It is our hero ' s bride. She, who was awaiting his coming. Again, that melody, low and .sweet, is repeated. Overwhelmed by his grief, his thoughts have flown back to the happy days of old. When young, and light of heart, confi- dent of victory, he had bidden her good bye. But, not long is he allowed this re.spite of forgetfulness, for once more the fun- eral march breaks in, recalling him to the present. We in our imagination, see a broken-hearted soldier, standing oyer the grave of his beloved. His heart torn by anguish almost un- bearable. And, as the last notes sob themse ves awa) ' , an- nouncing the end of the military obsequies, dazed, he leaves the grave, and goes forth, he knows not where. The bride represents Poland; the soldier hero, one of her sons. After their brave fighting, their cause was lost, and the Poles mourn- ed foi their countr} as a lover would for the death of his bride. It is a strange fact that the first time the funeral march was ever performed with a full orchestra was at Chopin ' s own fun- eral. The Presto of the Sonata is a low running movement. Ar- tists do not all agree in the significance of it. Some of them think that Chopin ' s idea was that after death, all is dust and

Page 32 text:

26 The Annual of At a certain turn, all cease to move. A cavalier advances, and, bending low to the lady leading, begs her to accept him as a partner. She accepts, and each man in succession craves the honor of the lady at his rear. Naturally every leadef tries to plan lovelier figures than the former, and his rivalry greatly enhances the beauty of the polonaise. Chopin ' s Berceuse is one of the most beautiful in existence. The mother sits by the cradle in which the hope of her life lies sleeping. She sings a soft lullaby. Her thoughts meanwhile have flown to the future. She dreams of her darling ' s career. All happiness should be his, were she able to bestow it, but, alas, she knows life too well to deem this possible. She knows of the sorrows, of the temptations that will come to him, but fer- vently prays that he may be noble and strong enough to with- stand them. Another of my favorite compositions is a ballad by Perry, entitled, The Lost Island. The scene of the story is one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Rare flow- ers, noble trees, and birds of great beauty adorned it. The southern sun shone its warmest and brightest there. Exquis- ite hotels lined its shore, and people from every country throng- ed them. The music begins with a wild rush of sound, in which one hears the great breakers, as they fiercely lash the shore, and the wild sobbing and sighing. There is a lull in the storm and we catch the sound of a waltz of ravishing sweet- ness. Determined to forget the wild night, and their immedi- ate danger, the guests had planned a ball. The contrast is great. Without, is utter darkness, and the howling of the winds and waves ; within, the lights burn brightly, lovely women to whose beauty elegant dress has added a double charm, and chivalrous men were all dancing. To the superficial observer, all is happiness. The smile, however, is forced, the laugh has a hollow ring, the eye is dark with terror; in vain, they try to forget and be merry. A ship is moored The captain as he hears the music exclaims, What, dancing ? If the wind conies round to the South-east, I fear they will dance to another tune. The wind does turn to the South-east. The hotels and every