The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-06-04

in Europe. For this purpose they pro
ceeded to Dresden, Germany, where
they engaged one ofthe Royal Chamber
Musicians to teach the boy. Very
soon, the professor thought so much ot
The boy that he took the first occasion
to exhibit him to his colleagues, and tc
the Dredsd4n public generally; causing
him to play with himself, duett FROM
Hertz, for two pianos. on the stage ol
the Royal Theatre, and this when his
pupil was but ten years old. The boy
was received with wondrous favor, was
rapturous,y applauded, and the critical
journals. of the next day, were loud in
his praises, prophesylng brilliant fu,
ture for him in the prosecution of his
art. But his teacher. almost constantly
employed by his duties in the chapel,
was unable to bestow his lessons regu-
larly; and the parents of young Denck
engaged for his teacher the Pianist to
the Court of Saxony. This artist,
holding one OF the highest places in So
ciety-in a country where artists are
honored, and not held to be more noun
te5anks-introduce his little Ameri-
can prodigy to the Court, and to the
nobility generally. He was wonderfully
impressed with the genius of the boy;
and it soon became his greatest pleas
ure TO assemble at his house all the ar.
lists of note in Dresden, to hear, from
time to time, and to note the progress
which his infant pupil was making. Il
was no unusual thing to find among
these visitors Of Mr.. Kragen, assembled
at his musical re unions, the ladies Of
the nobility, and they even came 10 the
child's lessons, to hear him execute
those pieces, as if under inspiration.
which they themselves had been labo-
riuusly studying for years. He played
at their houses as we'll as at the rooms
of his teacher frequently, quartettes
with the chamber musicians; and so
great was his success, aud the cnthusi-
asm which he inspired, that letters were
given him by the noblesse to London,
Paris, and even America. Henselt.
Dreyshock and Clara Schumann, each
paid him the compliment of attending
his lessons, pronouncing his talents, his
execution and performances to be most
extraordinary. Lizt left dinner party
to hear him play; and Lizt, as is the
case, probably, with most performers, is
as good judge of dinner parties as of
music. He stood by the piano exclaim-
ing. ever and anon, "Bravo! bravo l'
and when the piece was fnisI ed clasped
The boy player in his arms, kissed him,
and said "You have very great tal>
enis, my boy. you must work them well;
be diligent; study hard, and you will be
a man, a very great man p He then
turned to the delighted parents. and
said This boy is well deserving of
all you do for him, and if you will only
bring him to Weimer I will myself at
tend to his instruction AS Lizt will
receive no compensation for those he
teaches, so he undertakes the education
of,hose only whom he particularly fam
cies. He evidently took singular in
terest in the child, as, indeed, did all
the great artists who heard him play.
Joachim, thought him So uncommon a
boy that he warmly opposed the idea of
his returning to America while yet so
young, aud begged his father, again
and again. to send him TO finish his ed
ucation with Henselt, now the most ia
nous pianist in Europe. Henselt, too,
on hearing the boy play, voluntarily
"fered to undertake his tuition. Joachim
wrote to the first artists in London on
his behalf, and his letters were so COM
plimeniary that the boy was received
with open arms when he reached that
city. In Dresden he was petted and
Aattered to a degree which might have
turned mu,h older head; but it is one
proof Of the boys character, apart from
his talents, that he still feels himself a
child, is sinsularly modest, takes no
airs upon himself, and seems scarcely
to regard his own performances as any
thing of moment He was greatly ia
vored by Prince George, and BY many
of the Saxon noblesse. The Prince
gave him letters to the Courts Of Hano-
yer anu England. The King Of Hano-
v,r had him to supper at the same ia
bic, talk. d with him during the repast,
and told him that really be was very
grateful to the Prince of Saxony for
giving him the opportunity of hearing
such fiue music. From the Queen he
had an invitation, which he accepted,
to return next day aud play before the
Prncesses; and from these he received
the highest marks of favor. He took
letters from some ofthc German Princes
to the Queen of England, and on thc
birthday Of Victoria, at buckingham
Palace, he played before her Majesty.
She (thc Queeu) went up with Prince
Albert, to the piano, after the perform
ance, and told the boy that he had
played most beautifully, one of the most
difficult of pieces. 1t is no small part
of this compliment that the Queen OF
England, the King Of Hanover, and
the Prince of Faxouy, are all highly cul.
tiyated musicians themselves, and could
iudsc of the merits of the players, not
only as Princes, but as artists. Prince
George of Saxony played duets with
him, and on the last occasion OF his
playing before the Prince, the latter
-. H. n;ono Tro,n n,uhf fill