Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

DEPPE AND SCHARWENCKA 129
compared with painting. There was an element of
great and massive grandeur, a tremendous force of
will, and a fervent glow of imagination, which told
even more when he played en rohe de chambre in the
Conservatorium, when he was just enjoying himself
among those who looked up to and admired him, than
when he was in the concert-room, weighted with
responsibility attaching to his name and his position.
He had a very interesting class on teaching, harmony,
method, etc., which he himself conducted in person
every week. And his manner of imparting know-
ledge was most clear and full of suggestion. He had
his own special way, too, of stimulating his pupils,
and calling forth their powers. When he said, ' Vor-
warts !' it seemed to inspire the most timid pupils to
push forward at all hazards. Liszt greatly admired
and esteemed him ; and to have come from under his
guidance was a passport to the Meister's favour.
I naturally rebelled rather at Herr Deppe's uncom-
promising condemnation of all my pieces—I should
rather say his demand that I should give up all the
pieces which were part and parcel of my life, and
start afresh— -and here I had the pleasing prospect of
a shorter and more pleasant road to the goal. And
so, for the first few lessons, I was really charmed
with Seharwencka ; but then Deppe's prediction began
to verify itself. I grew restless and anxious, and, in
addition to my studies with Seharwencka, I began to
try and feel my way through dififerent books on
9