The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-10-03
RECOLLECTIONS OF LISZT AND
Won BULOW.
from scribner for October.l


MY province is not writing, and yet feel 81
irresistible craving to add my mite OF expe
rience for the benefit of the musical public
Who at some future time-and the day is no
far distant-will eagerly snatch at every Incl
dent, however slight, in any way connected
with his life and character. I shall not repre-
sent him in the light of a composer. for Their
are many who would dispute his claim Z
greatness on that score at the present day
whatever their views might be in the time (
come. As a composer, he might be criticised
as q pianist, never. am an enthusiast, NJ
doubt, but so would any one be who should
once hear him sweep the chords of his instru
ment l believe that in this respect there hal
never been dissentient voice. have known
musical people prepared to listen to him fol
the first time with prejudice in their souls
and determination to cavil; but l have also
known them afterward as his most AFFECT ad
mirers, ready to acknowledge him, what he
undoubtedly is, not only the greatest pianist
of the age, but the greatest pianist who eveI
lived-and believing that no other ever will
attain his wonderful power.
/ had resided many years in Florence be,
fore had an opportunity of hearing him, as
independently OF his living in Rome, he de-
tested the garden of Italy" and never could
be persuaded to live there more than twenty
four hours at time; even then he crept in
and out again in the most conspirator-like
style. that not creature should know of his
much sought-for presence. he had highly
valued friend, Madame L., with whom he
staid upon these rare occasions, and he would
signify to her whom he would receive during
his short stay-some ten or twelve privileged
beings at the most; and l have the inexpres-
sible qualification of saying that was of the
select number.
I made his acquaintance in Rome eight
years ago under the happiest auspices. l say
"happiest auspices" advisedly, for had hap
pened to tumble in upon him, trusting to my
powers of fascination, or accompanied by un-
conpenial companions, or during mlsan-
thropic fit, / might have travelled back to
where came from no better of and much
crosser. Madame L., who was invariably
kind to me, and solcitous as to my musical
welfare, proposed that we should take trip
on to Rome some fine day, and take our luck
with "His Majesty" as we were in the habit
of calling him. accepted this proposal
with the most undignided alacrity. Accord
ingly, the next day We set of, and, as
good fortune would have it, arrived on
the very evening of concert to be given
by his favorite pupil, young Roman OF
great talent, by name Sgambati, at which en-
tertainment the great man himself was to be
present l could scarcely dress, l was in
such state of nervous expectation, and when
I actually found myself at the door of the
concert room do not know whether my feel
ings were of pleasurable nature or "con-
trariwise." Now, wonder whether it would
be advisable to tell the truth just at this
point or not have an inward conviction
that writer's do not always expose their exact
feelings down into the very depths OF their
hearts. But may wrong them, and, in any
case, having no pretensions to being OF that
noble brotherhood Tor rather, in these days,
sisterhood), I will offer myself martyr to the
cause of truth, and will confess, although it
tears my heart to very small bits, that my
very first interview with List caused me dis
appointment. -.
1 was anxiously looking around for him,
when Madame L. said suddenly: "There he
is" and there he was, indeed. He was stand
ing in front of the first row of chairs, and l
caught sight of him as he bowed to two or
three ladies with whom he had been talking.
am obliged to confess that it was an un-
pleasant bow q servile bow-something too
courtier-like for such q god-inspired genius.
He who could hold his head higher than any
monarch, would bow it to rank. ar that
this is the plain unvarnished truth, and yet
he is as contradictory mortal in his actions
as ever stepped on earth, and I've heard OF his
snubbing princesses.
spending the evening, committed the extreme
indiscretion of asking him to play, viola
ton of all rules of etiquette among great mu-
steal artists. He had been enchanting her
guests with his divine music in the earlier
part of the evening, and had just come in
from supper, when she preferred her request.
MADAME, TAI mango tres peu," was his answer
("Madame, have eaten very little y, and,
with this implication of having played out
the worth of his supper, he left the house.
His contradictory elements only prove him to
angel. If his mood happens to be gloomy
one, his fingers fly about as if he had de-
moniac imp at the end of each one.
His playing becomes almost internal in its
wild passionate power, and he looks furtively
at his audience with am aliciou5 expression of
delight and triumph, watching the effect he
produces. This is his demon side. At other
times he will play with the deepest pathos,
touching the keys SO caressingly, so tenderly, |
so weepingly, that I've seen men listen with
the tears rolling down their cheeks. And yet, |
when he rises from the piano, not sound is
heard He is too great to be applauded. He |
does not need it. He merely walks quietly |
away from The instrument, waiting until some
one RECEIVERS breath or self-possession enough |
to speak, and then perhaps the frst break in |
the silence will be long, deep-drawn sigh, |
and i" How grand spoken in an undertone
of awe.
He knows his own power well-none better
and makes no concealment of his opinion. |
have heard that upon one occasion lady |
asked him whom he thought the greatest |
living pianist-this was many years ago-and
he answered promptly, "Thalberg." "But,"
she said, astonished, "do you consider him
superior to yourself?" And his answer was
most commendable in its engaging frankness:
MADAME, had no idea you made any re-
ference to me. stand too high to be COM
pared to ordinary pianists
But, to come back to my meeting with |
List 1 left him bowling to rank, and re-
turn to him bowling to Democratic Ameri-
can after formal introduction. l was the
Democrat, and fear l was very pitiable
spectacle of embarrassment and trepidation,
although, being an American, not
usually given to such tricks and
manners He was very affable,
and thought trife condescendipg. However,
when the concert was over, he made an ap-
rointment that we viz, Madame L. and my
self, with Sgambati, should meet at bis house
the next day.