In later days, though he had the usual incapacity of spontaneous genius, as to giving a reason for the faith that was in him, he had also its perfect self-reliance. He, too, would have said, when told that the free expression of a thought was contrary to rule, that he would make it a rule then, and had no reason to give why he put a phrase or note here, and thus, except “It was best so. It had the best effect so.” The following anecdote exhibits in a spirited manner the contrast between the free genius and the pedant critic.
“Before Hadydn had lost his interest in conversation, he related with
pleasure many anecdotes respecting his residence in London. A nobleman
passionately fond of music, according to his own account, came to
him one morning, and asked him to give him some lessons in counterpoint,
at a guinea a lesson. Haydn, seeing that he had some knowledge
of music, accepted his proposal. ‘When shall we begin?’ ‘Immediately,
if you please,’ replied the nobleman; and he took out of his pocket a
quartett of Haydn’s. ‘For the first lesson,’ continued he, ‘let us examine
this quartett, and tell me the reason of certain modulations, and of the
general management of the composition, which I cannot altogether
approve, since it is contrary to the rules.’
“Haydn, a little surprised, said, that he was ready to answer his questions. The nobleman began, and, from the very first bar, found something to remark upon every note. Haydn, with whom invention was a habit, and who was the opposite of a pedant, found himself a good deal embarrassed, and replied continually, ‘I did so because it has a good effect; I have placed this passage here, because I think it suitable.’ The Englishman, in whose opinion these replies were nothing to the purpose, still returned to his proofs, and demonstrated very clearly, that his quartett was good for nothing. ‘But, my Lord, arrange this quartett in your own way; hear it played, and you will then see which of the two is best.’ ‘How can yours, which is contrary to the rules be the best?’ ‘Because it is the most agreeable.’ My Lord still returned to the subject. Haydn replied as well as he was able; but, at last, out of patience, ‘I see, my Lord,’ said he, ‘that it is you who are so good as to give lessons to me, and I am obliged to confess, that I do not merit the honour of having such a master.’ The advocate of the rules went away, and cannot to this day
