There was
some question of my playing at the Societe des Concerts du
Conservatoire, and there was even a rehearsal. But Seghers, who
afterwards founded the Societe St. Cecile, was a power in the affairs of
the orchestra. He detested Stamaty and told him that the Societe was not
organized to play children's accompaniments. My mother felt hurt and
wanted to hear nothing more of it.
After my first concert, which was a brilliant success, my teacher
wanted me to give others, but my mother did not wish me to have a career
as an infant prodigy. She had higher ambitions and was unwilling for me
to continue in concert work for fear of injuring my health. The result
was that a coolness sprang up between my teacher and me which ended our
relations.
At that time my mother made a remark which was worthy of Cornelia. One
day some one remonstrated with her for letting me play Beethoven's
sonatas. "What music will he play when he is twenty?" she was asked. "He
will play his own," was her reply.
* * * * *
The greatest benefit I got from my experience with Stamaty was my
acquaintance with Maleden, whom he gave me as my teacher in composition.
Maleden was born in Limoges, as his accent always showed.
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