The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-10
mss Julia Hal, thc Americas Pianist, n
, GusoDo. E.
EXTRACT FROM PRIVATE LITTER OF Mr.. THEo-
DoRE FAY. DATED - t

\
4 pVRE FAY. DATED s 4f n.
! BERLIN, My Il, 1872.
! have enjoyed triumph in thu visit OF Professor
Benjamin Hill, of Rochester, New York. WITH his
daughter, young lady Of fifteen, Miss J lila Hin,
pianist Of such unexpccted superiority, that she has
created genuine sensation in the highest critical
and fashionable circles. Mr. Hill presented himself
to me, with letters from List and other decisive
authorities, after having played before distinguish
ed persons mt Lord Westmorelands tho British Mi
mister in Vienna. He brought also. nm ntroiuc.
ton from my noble hearted friend, Mr.. McCurdy,
our charge ut the court OF Austria, The report of
his daughters playing was so favorable, that
heard her almost ut disadv in.age; for perfection
itself suffers from oyerpraise. We were unable to
procure the best instrument, without visit to tho
convenient little music saloon of Mr. Stoecker, a
manufacturer Of pianos which may challenge COM
parson, and where stands one of his finest at tho
gratuitous service Of astes and audiences on occa-
sions like the present. We walked thither for q
trial, as Mr. Hill wished his daughter to be heard
by the best Berlin critics, and Mr.. Barnard's alb
had left the legation and this not among it's
most disagreeable duties, to mo. l heard her. l
have no pretention 10 be critic, am unacquaiutsd
with the science, and could not be very savage in
fifteen, IA country woman in foreign land, chal-
longing the judgment of the most fastdious critics
in the world. Her performance delighted me. The
word is not strong enough 1t enchanted ME. l
am familiar with the playing of tho greatest
DtHeS of the art. Pfodigious rs it often is have
frequently felt the wish for union of their wonder
full skill with the simple spirit of true music. This
seemed to me tho characteristic OF Miss Hill. A
clear understanding of the elements and meaning of
music, noble disdnin of costps de force and coups
de theatre, the most finished docacy and tendcrcst
expression, supp by thorough and rare train
| ing in the fundamental principles and practice.
You never out Of the domain Of true mnsic: bat
| executed by huna !lc&ble the wing of bird,
ard obedient as thought TO her finest Inspirations
This was the result Of my FIRST hearing, and nc
cordiDgly undertook to present her to such an
denoe as her father desired Mr.. Stoeckers saloon
holds about sixty Wondering chat Commodore
Stevens yacht bad beaten England on her own
element, had tho hardihood to offer Miss Hill to
| Germany, in their own world of music. ] asked,
therefore, the diplomatic corps, as met them. and
also the very first personagcs Of musical renown
Among others MeyeIbeer and Won Kontski, each in
his own domain u king and an autocrat. There
happened TO be very exciting debate in tho Cham
Der on the day, but, Notwithstanding our for
Miable circle came together ia pretty large nun
bers, md where the gentlemen were prevented they
| sent their ladies Among others were the Prince
| Calaoa with the Princess and Ali Elicndi, Count
| KnypheuseD with ladies, the lady Of the Russian
Ambassador and the Countess Benkendorf, (Prin-
| c,ss Cloy), and many other indies and gentlemen
4 y
took ther seats pear the piano, aud some d,stiu-
| guishen literary gentlemen and ladies' made up the
assembly. Ba;on Won Humboldt and Lord Bloom
/ hre, the British minister, sent written apologies
expressing disappointment, which doubt not were
sincere.
Shall ] confess il !! my heart failed me rs Miss
! Il i'll took her seat ! found was coward at the
very memcnt the battle commenced. When be
| held these cool critics whom / had called sogether
to scrutiniae The playing Of young girl OF ittoen,
! educated IN the forests OF uerca, had moment
f,tp Il
| mint she threw her hands over the keys.
/ won't describe her payipg-I hope my own
countDmcn Will hear IT, and will appreciate it as
/ perfectly us the audience who now listened. to
| my Infinite relief and qualification, with con
| tnueily increasing evidences Of establishment
and delight. Particularly read these sentiments,
exlIessNeiy written, IL tho line Intellectual coun-
! tonapcls OF MeyerbeSr and kontski made
point 70 speak with every person in the room, and
| there was no difference OF opinion MS to her COM
/ rlete triumph. IL was the more remarkable from
| her simple aud ulpretendng style, which, without
anJ thort 80 asCiieb gains by frequent hearing /
| Wis rI,l AIRED ff disappointment III persons GUS
t.cG . thc mnss " capices OF 'iszt. andt,,c
noe4aga Striking achievements Of kontski This
| would doubtless have been the case, had nay audi
cIee boen Tess well informed ~ 10 The nature Of real
| excellence. They were tue critics.
We were to have given another concert
larger scale 20 tie sane class preparatory to car
| iying out the proposition of MeyeIbeer, who is
| Kapcllncs'ci to h.s Majesty, to bring tiss Htll's
~ II before the King and Queen and the Emperor
| OF Russia. Unfortunately severe indisposifon.
t. neat day, conhrtd he, to her bed, which she
only tow leave il tiuc for ber return to iio don.
| Mr.. M,ytIbeoi ARD kGniski, hi CHEST profess
sional authorities, explicitly and warmly repeated
to ne their entire satisfaction, aud their gratitude
FOR in Opportunity e. hear my young country
woman. Meyoibeer said be considered her "a first
ra,e talent, capable Of attaining the very highest
| iGrors
Should you wisl, to publish the passages Of this
letter referring to Miss Hill, you may DO SO. 1t is
| proper tbat cur countrymen should know how sue
ccssilly She has passed throagh the ordeal Of Ger
nan criticism, and tuat young girl, from the in
terror Of tho State Of New York, has been pro-
nouncc3, BY NE highest living authorities. capable,
with study, Of eiuuiiiag perhaps Of cxcciling, any
aver Of the old world.
This strong praise is not mine quote froin the
| lrs OF her German critics. They declared, :" ii is
impossible 10 say what she may not become with
study" Very truly. yours, IDEo ). Far.
| Terrible Cr7mlc-Convtctson OF Or. IA sna,g.
| From the Mayssilie (&y.) Eagle, 25th Nay
! Oui readers wall remembe the h0rrd murders
mitted in The latter ,nd ofFcbruary last. the
| persons Of Justice Brewer and his wife, in Gfecnnp
county These deeds were pcrpetrated by n baud Of
| desperadoes four III number, three OF thom named
:.,.o