292.—BEETHOVEN'S FORGETFULNESS.
Numerous stories are told of Beethoven offending those with whom he came into contact by his gruffness; but their number is almost equaled by the records of his seeking pardon from the people he had unintentionally offended. While he was forgetful in most matters of a non-musical nature, it was rarely that he was led into such a blunder as is here related.
When he brought out his Fantasia for the first time with an orchestra and chorus, he directed, at the usual hasty rehearsal, that the second variation should be played through without repeat. In the evening, however, completely absorbed in his own creation, he forgot the order he had given, and repeated the first part, while the orchestra accompanied the last, a combination not productive of the best effect.
At last, when it was too late, the composer suddenly stopped, looked up in amazement at his bewildered band, and said dryly, "Over again;" the leader unwillingly asked, "With the repeat?" "Yes," was echoed back, and this time things reached a happy conclusion.
That Beethoven had, to a certain degree, affronted these excellent musicians by his irregular proceeding, he would not at first allow; he contended that it was a duty to repair any previous error, and the public had a right to expect a perfect performance for their money. Nevertheless, he readily begged pardon of his orchestra for the unintentional offence, and was generous enough himself to spread the story abroad, and to lay the blame upon his own abstraction.