Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

2o8 MY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
and I was very happy that day. As I was going away
he put into my hands Chopin's Study on the blacks
keys, No. 9, Op. 25. This charming study has been
much handled by Henselt, who has turned most of
the single notes in the right hand into octaves, ex-
tended some of the chords in the left hand, and
lengthened the close with a few bars, which are so
delicate, so aerial, so fanciful, that they seem like
a sort of ecstatic reverie on what has just gone
before.
And here I must observe that if anyone might presume
to add to or alter the ' written letter ' of any
composer, especially of Chopin, Henselt, who was
inclined neither to diffuseness nor to self-glorification
at the expense of art, might be allowed some little
latitude in this direction. But I have convictions on
this point which are very strong, and not likely to
change. It is, I hold, a sacred duty to give back the
thought which has been bequeathed to us by poet,
musician, or painter in the exact form in which he
left it behind him.
But to return to my studies as a pupil of the
Henselt school. I valued Mademoiselle Heinrichsen's
teaching so highly, that I went to her several times
• after my first lesson with Henselt ; and then, with
his sanction and approval, wished her good-bye, and
worked on with him alone. >
That first winter was chiefly devoted to Cramer
and technique; but before the summer came, I had
,