New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-25
A VISIT TO LIST.
REMARKs ON MUSIC IN AMERICA.

.Joc,RNo Lace MA66IORB, Sent. e.--During the
,ooent musical performances at Bayreuth Franz |
Ias2t was an object Of scarcely less interest to the
multitude OF visitors than Wagner himself lie was |
a guest at WagneFs house, and held thefe-as ne
does at most paces-a little court In which the ans
tocracy of art and tho aristOcracy of title found
themselves in contact The composer of the Nibelun
se tiloev during those busy and exciting days was
almost inaccessible; but his door stood wide open
for the throng which sought the apartments appro-
nriated 70 his ilustri0us father-in-law. Whether
countesses OF kapellmeisters claimed the most OF
LISTS attention IL would perhaps be dltcult 10 say
Both were there in overwhelming numbers ana
with them came artists Of renOwn, and ambitious
Musicians who have yet to win whatever fortune
NAV be in store for them For the young especially
who showed real enthusiasm in art the Aobe
always had . smile of welcome and few words OF
encouragement
1t was my good fortune to receive aklnd message
from the maestro one day, with permission to call
anon him early the next morning. The friend to
whom was indebted for the introduction went with
me. A man servant received US at Wagners door,
aud led US first into hall which occupies the wnoe
central part Of the house, reaching to the roof and
lighted from above. The rooms in the second story
open upon a gallery which runs around the hall az
its midnight There is no staircase visible In tAe
middle Of the polished floor stands an American
Il
statuettes of SiegfTied Lohengrin, Tristan, and
other heroes of Wagners operas are placed on ped
estaIs around the wall Passing through this apart
ment we found List in richly furnished room at
the left Windows at two sides looked upon shady
Garden. Across one corner stretched grand piano
Across another was long writing-table covered
with books papers, and papeterie IN comfortable
confusion. huge wTtingcase in ormou was open
ON a stand opposite. If / remember, the remaining
eI1. ,Nyhi oh Is
played sOmo Of the rich testimonials presented 10
Wagner at various times. Cushioned divans were
d1sposed about the space in the middle of the
room and the shape of Of them was made 10 con-
form TO the curve in the side of the grand piano Inc
walls were covered with handsome gold papcT-a
Furnished figure on a dead gold ground The door
way was concealed by q curtain Of purple SATIN Win
delicate white lowered stripe, and the furniture
was upholstered with the same material Ihere was
q series of pictures representing scenes from "as-
ne1,s works great mounds Of living plants and
foversI lifted themselves above the backs of sofas
silver lamp such as one sees in the sanctuaries OF
Catholic churches hung from tho ceiling, not IN the
centerof theroom but one Of the her corners.
Several silver wreaths with testimonial inscriptions
we're exhibited on the cabinet or over the mantei.
The general impression created by first slsht OF
the room was Of crowded splendor, not without
certain degree Of comfort
Liszt, who was standing by the table when we
entered, received us with great cordially There is
no need to describe his personal appearance, Tor
number of portraits that strongly
marked face and that fine head with its long gray
hair well known to all the world Portraits, how
ever do not reproduce the kindly and genial express
sion which captyates all who are admitted to ms
socety When he came forward, in his plain suit OF
bIaek with frock coat of slightly clerical cut and
erasped the hands of his visitors he might have
been taken for gentle old priest receiving hls
parishioners He has q simple and hearty manner
which puts the stranger Immediately st ease. IL
the politeness of thorough man OF the world SOFT
ened Inv the sincerity of a singulary affeetionate
and generous disposition. The conversation turned
almost Immediately upon music in America and ref
erence was made to the rapid progress OF the new
school of composers in large cities particularly
IN thu popular appreciation of Liszt himself and OF
Wagner "Ah,S said Liszt, 81 the fame OF wagner
is secure; nothing shake that but as tor me-
here he smiled and shook his head hope you
have not committed yourselves by praising me too
bahlyD We spoke of his Symphonic Poems, and
he seemed deeply gratifed to learn that the Whole
series had been performed IN Rew-YOrk, although l
am t,la that one of them r. HamleP1 has never been
,layed anywhere else until this season, when IT was
produced for the first time somewhere In Germany
Naturally then we referred to the great work which
Theodore Thomas has done in the United States,
and found that List las indeed had expected
was familiar with it. and that Thomas is held in no
slieht esteem in Bayreuth. Mention was made OF
the performance of the Dante symphony last
season and of the admirable explanatory and Illus
tratiys programme which Mr.. Dudley Buck pre-
pared for IT, "Woll," said List, " how was 1t
doneT Our report Of course entirely satisfac-
tory. "And this part" said the maestro, turning
around to the piano. and playing few measures
from the portion which follows the fugue did
they do this as well as the rest r "Yes, 1t was all
marvellous piece of work" Good" said he, leav-
fnp the piano; "but we are not SO far advanced yet
in Germany; you do mere than We dare attempt
The explanatory programme tOoP BE showed bis
qualification with all the fankness of child Sew
eral other persons had come in during this converse
ton. There was Pauline Brandt, the favOrite con-
tralto of the Berlin opera; there was young and
they tell me an excellent Hungarian pianist, whose
name have forgotten; there was Mr. Francis Kor-
bav of Hey-York Come said List to Mr.. KOr-
bay, play me this piece Of yours" and he took Up
some sheet music from the piano. Mr.. KoTbay
obeyed, and gave as q charming moroccan OF which
shall only say that it was worthy to be heard In
such company. While he played tho Able sat be-
hind him, and with smiles and gestures continually
invited my attention to passages which pleased him.
At the close nc went 70 the instrument himself and
rspeated--I think from memory-a little OF the mid
die portion, saying I" How good that isp Then our
New-York friend was obliged TO sing two Of his own
eongs and the maestro listened with the same sort
Of approval he had bestowed upon the other piece.
There were two fresh copies Of Listz's Legend Of
St. Cecilan on the table, apparently just from the
press II is for female voices ohy-a solo part with
final chorus. "Will you try 1t ~ said he to Fri.