The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-03
A GREAT PIANISTS TRIALS.
Personal REMINIsCENCEs or DIR.
KiNN YON HELOW.

tect Of the Doctors Ungunrded Remarks.
The advent of Nine. Annette Essipoff,
the Russian pianist. brings to mind the appear
anco here, just ono year ago, Of DR.. Hans Won
Bdlow The Doctor had been In New York only
a day or two when he was one OF the bcst-hated
men In the city and not only In the city but In
the country. The reason for this can be told
easily. On the 10Th of November, 1875, sun
reporter called on DIR. Won Buow, and the rc-
suit Of his conversation was published accurately
in TnE Sun Of the nth. Few newspaper articles
OF the kind have been more widely disseminated
or more powerful In their influence. The inter.
view was copled-or portions OF II ct lcast-in
most Of the American Journals, In most OF the
German American papers. and garoed portions
found their way across the sea, and were printed
In English French. and German journals there.
The cause of this ~ plain. Bad news travels
quickly. DR.. Won Bulow, rising from short
nap, 20 keep his appointment with the writer OF
the article, feeling rather cross, a privilege Of
genius poured forth In voluble flood Of broken
English the story Of his trials here In America
trials which he ascroed principally to
the beer drinking habits of his ooun-
trymen, the Germans, beratnR soundly
both habit and people. His unfortunate
misunderstanding with the late Mr.. Bergman,
was told Mt length; and IA, went so far as to
stvle certain very in0Icntill Germans In this
city no gentlemen" Then he attacked Madame
Arabella Goddard, the English PIANIST. and Mr.
DAWSON. her husband, the musical critic. lie
only found words OF praise Tor America aud
Americans. whom lac lauded unreservedy. The
result was something that mas uuite une xpected
to the doughty doctor Of music, who until tn
had net fully appreciated the far aching
power OF the American press.
Ills manager. the gentleman to whom we owe
the pleasure Of hearing most ~ the musical
celebrities Of the day, among them the great
kubiustein and the charming EssipOh, tells an
interesting story Of the causes that led to Won
BulOw's remarkabe conversation and the re-
IT, hat a. flaa ~ faI ia
"Dr. Won liuow," says TINS gentleman, - ine
To America with pleasant aniicipatiOns. lie
hoped 10 leave behind MIN Tor time his sor-
rows ana troubles, ana add new laurels To his
already great fame as "A musician. | went 10
Boston - meet him, ana gfoettd aim ON snip
board 1t was lovely October day. he air
was superb. and Won BulOw was eXhatated
and delight ed. We drove to his rooms, 81 hich
were in a uriyite house on Beacon street. de-
lghtiully situated Arriving there; we found
the rooms most lavishv with flowers add ele-
cant tapestries. Here was a compliment and
silent welcome winch the Doctor could and did
appreciate. lie was moro than delighted lie
seemed to be ierfecuy happy and began to
converse with me ~ most ch .rming manner.
While thus engaged he noticed German pa
per, published here In America, lying ON the
table among the flowers ana objects OF
art. In MS quick. nervous manner he picked 10
uu, stuck his glasses on his n pse, and re- I'D the
heading Of the Il Il aud most prominent article
| on the page. His eyes flashed, his lace grew
dark, md with N oath he throw tue p,por ~
ne floor, and ii- JOY aud enthusiasm were gone.
For the article " hich thus affected the pianist
was rough. heartless, scurriious narration OF
the DOctOrs domestic rOuOles, so well known,
rejecting bittorly az inst him, Yes" oontin-
ued the manager strongly, in paper printed
In the German language was this Vile attack
az inst tho great German artist, and some enemy
had taken tue pains ~ place II where II would
| meet his eye as soon as he lnded IN America.
American ladies' did him honor. cOuntrynan
sought 10 do hin dishonor here
" Thus came ABOUT his nrst Impressions OF
Germans In America. 10 men like liniOw i'm.
pressions are not easy to eradicate. lhcn came
the Bersmann affair. Poor Bergman Is dead.
] wish to sav nothing ng iinst him. but tell
! the facts. whtcI oug1t - be told In justice to
Won 80 ow. After securing Beremann to con.
duct at the l0lOw concerts, went with MIN To
Boston, drove him 10 tue Parker House, gave
| hlm = Iod apartments, ordered wine, and gave
orders mat all MS wants SHOULD he supplied:
With n rare thoueh fuIness had a MD tbS,
! he should be glad To meet Mt. Bergmann,
| scores together, so that at the rehe srs ais he
! (BuOwl would not be Obliged to give MI Berg
u nm n nqnts IN me nresenee OF nls orchestra;
| how TO treat conductor. Bat the next day,
Saturday, Bersmann did NOT appear. | learned
at third class German hotel, aud vas enjoying
himself with his friends. l fuuad him, and he
promi,e to come at seyen In the evening. But
In short Won nulow did not see him
| until about fifteen minutes before the rehearsal.
! Consequently he had to Instruct him in the
presence Of his orchestra, much 10 Bergmanns
il-concealed dspleAsure.
" The breach VS. furtber widened when, at the
| lfst concert, BergmaLn. after the overture. as
Bnlow was about to play the famous Bach
fugues. sad aloud, that | and many others
| heard: "Gentiemen, les 70 ana get a glass Of
| beer" BLOW could not forgive that insult lie
| brought ABOUT quarrel Win Bergman. who
re-l-ned, and MIR. Lang, an American, took his
| ulace. 80 mere yOu have he prin ~ causes thai
! led on bu %" ~ mink lightly OF Germans and
"What Inc said on the subject YOU he ard and
! reported CORRECTLY continued the speaker.
" Ihe result YOU couldn't guess, and do not
know. IL was % large loss financially To us. and
! to on Bulow OF the GOODWILL VI the thousands
ofGerman, - America. rnenext morning n or
the interview was Published the doctor received
Al.