The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-11
OLE BULL.
The Great Violinist Interviewed for
the First Time.
NOTES OF A MUSICAL LIFE
Crushing Denunciation Of Wagner and
His Mu,derous Music.


world. VIVA. Raphael and Rembrandt were to pant
ing the two great violinsts to music in this
century. Poor Paganni rests lar away in
his own sunny land. aud the balmy
winds waited from the blne mediterranean
sing mournful drses over hts early grave His friend
aud rva hardy child OF the frozen NORTH dwcils with
u.s. and though the SHOWS Of sxty.seven winters rest
upon his head hts hand Is as steady and his step Us
elastic though he young athlete aud not tho
violnist whom a generation which mas passed
away pronounced great. Neither have mis- mental
powers felt the influence OF time. for his memory Is
wonderfully clear, ana he talks in his frank.
open way his eyes sparkle with brightness that
shows the fires Of youth have not yet burned out,
despite the snow winch hangs upon his brow IL
would be difficult to Imagine more interesting figure
than this youthful scxagenaran with his noble nguro
and clear manly features large and massive, but
flexible and changeiu as summer Cloud. knowing
how much interest tho public take in this distin-
guished man, HARALp reporter was sent to request
from MIN some remipiscence OF his life, request
which he accedcd to with thoughtful courtesy.
HIS YOUTH
was born in Bergen, in the Kingdom OF Norway
began the distinguished musician, of amusical family
For though my father was an upothccary he was also
distinguished musical amateur, NJ were many other
members Of my family, especially an UNCLE who was
the editor OF the only newspaper published in Bergen
II was he who first taught me my notes while was yet
little than infant He played on the VIC lon
cello. and remember well when used TO go TO sleep
in tho violoncslo and have to be wakencd up
play my part in tho family concerts. My nrst
violin was presented 70 me by THIS uncle.
" was little yellow instrument, anu
I. learned to play step by step When was only
eight old was sufficiently advanced to be able
10 play III the Philharmonic concert at Bergen, and
at nns played the lrst violin in Boethoven's SYM
phony In D. From that time my progress was rapid.
FIRST CONCERT TOUR
In 1881 made my nrst concert tour / very
little known, and was principally engaged playing
substitute Tor better known men when they
unable to iulnl their engagements This was q very
pay. About this time a lucky accident happened,
or rather accident when turned out luckily.
| was beginning to be somew hat known aud
engaged TO play at concert to BIO gwen by the
Princess Danrenond, Tor which performance was to
receive live lous dor or about ono undred france
Having to select some other musicians 10 accom- any
me- engaged Ernst and tho brothers Boucher. Whom
arrived a. tho Princess hotel tho Swiss who stood
guard over tho Grand Chamber Intimated that
only musicians wo should 90 to some other room
nnd wait until We were called for. THIS annoyed mo
very much, and after waiting some time said to tho
othors, "Let 90 IN; invited 10 this concerto
and, taking hold OF tho doors. held them open
some whitc Polish dogs which INSIDE
toward tho door, attracted by the scuiie. aud.
dressed in knee brooches aud SILK stockings, they ran
barking ut him. He frightened ana rctrcated,
which encouraged tho dogs 50 much that one OF them
BIT him.
MORSE BLOOD TELLS.
| Another came toward me, anu not caring TO DO
btton, l gave HIM kick, sans ceremon,e, which
raised him the air and knocked all fighting pluck
out OF him. He was carried out, aud, the Princess
being Informed that this awful breach OF decorum mad
been committed by ono Of the musicians, We were all
dered TO leave immediately refused unless was paid
| the ave LOUIS d or which had been promised me- and
| when they threatened TO put me out told thom it
would take tho whole lot to do u Just then the
tho troubled waters lie accompanied by she
| Duke OF Montebcilo to whom no introduced me. who
| was a great musician ana through whom mot Chopin
1 SO maid ma q
! About Two weeks lator saw an Immense procession
on the Boulevards, and learned the
togo OF tho Princess, who had probably died OF grio
| Tor the darling dog whose days had shortened.
This story was generally circulated and made IN i'm.
mense sensation and soon after III connection with
Ernst Chopin aud the two Boucaors, gave n
CONCERT first introduced Norwegian melodies. when
were real novelty IN Paris, where they had never
impression. 1t was with thc money made nj thus
cert went to Italy to study Italian sony, SO 10
know the principle OF constructing musical Phrases
| aud wh,e there composed several melodies IN tho
Italian style.
! MEErs pAGASyE
1t was about this time l first met Paganini. went
| to hear him. and next day while walking the
Boulevard met sind, the banker, who was IN rapturcs
was just expressing enthusiasm when Sind said,
! "wuy. hero comes Paganini; WIN introduce you.
Wnen he shook my hand he said, "why, Mr. Ole Bull,
| know you" lie then invited me warmly To his
house lie received mo in the most charming manner
and conhded NIL his grcis 10 me- he complained BIT
| terry Of his treatment by the French critics
whom he denounced Tor their ignorance. He was
wont to declare that the French knew nothing about
except what they had learned IRON tho Italian
master Viotti and that they were destroying all the
improvements he had made 10 the art OF violin playing.
But The French were eonceilcd they thought they
could the Italians to play while IN reality they
could neilhor make vioIins nor play them
While In Italy gave concert at La Scala, but
fortunately introduced the Austrian national air, which
took from Paganins arrangement, aud rs no played
II thought might do SO. but the Italians regarded
an insult ana was hereby attacked ny the critics.
When learned the cause sought out tho chief critic,
thanked HIM Tor his good advice. and, having con.
vnccd him that no insult was intended, from
critic he became ono OF my best friends.
THE MASTER SINGER.
Learning that had gone to Italy 10 study melody
he promised 10 Introduce me to great repei0Je. lie
brought me to u concert, where heard tnis old
sing with his broken down voice AS hcari man
sing before since. This Old man the famous
Nlcheroux, the teacher OF Pasta. Ancr this com.
posed a number ot peces and the writer VINO ut nrst
ran me down praised my work SO highly that used
u be quito ashamed
FORTUNE saILEs.
AT last the turning pOl;t III career arrived after
long waiting and very hard work, wished to give
al Bologna bu, found that the theatre
trolcd by Nabran and he. husband, dc Bcriot, who
would not permit me to use IT, But one evening when
II was very sth, was playing IL my room IN the
hoteI Rossn's lrst wife, Nine. Colbrnnd was passing,
aud caiing ms playing three aud Jour parts thought
4 IL quartet. On Inqnring the hotel
sho Was told that there wac only Que young man,
aud, beng very much struck by my execution, went
that evening 10 the Marquis Iamp,crc, who Pres
dent OF me Philharmonic, 10 induce him To engage
lie did not heca the Suggestion, however ut that
time, but when tho day .! the concert
came Malibran sick and De Beriot had
bad nnscr Then Ia,nplero thought of
aud came TO request that l would play, AMI
/ consented aud played quartet alone TINS
great success aud the audience recalled often
that uskcd lazy the 'front.' 10 give theme
to improvisc. Ibis lady happened TO DO the Princess
PonnlowsKi and she was very much battered. Hor
husband invited me TO Florence. where he arranged a
very succcssiui concert speak about those early
strugg, not much from personal vanity en-
| couragcmcnt to others never to pivo up the ship.
Acrward visited Naples and travelled all Italy.
RETURNS NIGGA.
On my return To Paris gave a concert at the Grand
Opera II was very well attended, nearly NIL the
tDguishcd people being present. and here made last
ing friends with Mcycrbccr ami Jules Janin Janin
was dcg hted and wrote a nagn lccnt criticism on my
performance. He called mo ''thc Northern Savage
but chased me above even PaganinL This, however,
was due 10 personal Iccng because Jnnin had taken
great dislike 70 Pagann on account OF having refused
10 play al concert Tor The benefit OF the people oil
JaDihs native village, who had suffered greatly by an
Inundnton AIler lhs travelled al over Europc md