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 description and correctness of detail, that they
rather resemble a highly finished picture, than a colder work of
words only. They have all the splendor of a brilliant painting.
He seizes the secrets of the nationality of these forms, traces
them through the heart of the Polish people, follows them through
their marvelous transfiguration in the pages of the Polish
artist, and reads by their light much of the sensitive and