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242
Hereditary Genius
of our pianoforte music; whom Haydn, and likewise Mozart, regard as their
direct predecessor and teacher. (Lady Wallace, “Letters of Musicians.”) S. J.
Christopher (9), called “Bach of England;” a charming composer. I have not
met with any notice of the Bach musical genius being transmitted through a
female line.
Beethoven, Ludwig von. I insert the name of this great composer on account of his
having formerly been reputed the illegitimate son of Frederick the Great of
Prussia. However, recent biographers consider this allegation to be absolutely
baseless, and therefore, although I mention the report, I do not accept its truth.
His mother's husband was a tenor singer of the Elector's Chapel at Cologne.
His two brothers were undistinguished. He had a nephew of some talent, who
did not turn out well, and was cause of great grief to him. Beethoven began to
publish his own musical compositions aet. 13.
Benda, Francesco (1709—1786, aet. 77); was the elder member of a very remarkable
family of violinists. His father was a poor weaver, but musical, and taught his
sons to play. The following table shows how its eight principal members were
related:—
A poor weaver, of musical tastes
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Francesco Giovanni Giuseppi Giorgio
____|___________________ | |
| | | | Ernest.
Frederico
Frederico Carl Two musical Luigi
Guill. H. Hermann. Daughters.
Francesco was the founder of a school of violinists, and was himself the ablest
performer on that instrument in his day.
B. Giovanni, pupil of Francesco; d. aet. 38.
B. Giuseppi; succeeded Francesco as master of the concerts of the King of Prussia;
d. aet. 80.
B. Giorgio, the most eminent member of this interesting family. He had vast
musical powers, but was fantastic, and wasted his time in reverie. It is said
that, after his
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