The New York herald., 1879-02-07
A Talk With Old Frederick
MOllenhauer.
His EARLY STRUGGLES And SUCCESSES
What lie Thinks of Wilhelmj, Remenyi
and Sam Tilden.
American Girls Voices and the Future OF
Music in This Country.


the features of that great master; snow white hair
brushed smoothly back from the square brow;
closely cropped white mustache; firm prominent chin
and that peculiar deeply cut under lip that William
Black declares finds out of Germany
all the finer characteristics intellectual German
face here the calm, reflective eye; that is
dim and sghtless and the hand that is extended to
greet his visitor gropes with the painful uncertainty
peculiar the blind. This the personnel of Fred
erick Mollenhauer not familiar one to the public,
except the small portion that attended his farewell
concert at Steinway Hall last November. though be
has lived among for nearly quarter of a
century Our grandmothers, in papersoed
shoes. wide embroidered collars and 'change-
able" silk dresses who accompanied our
grandfathers arrayed in satin stocks white vests,
fob chains and blue swallow tails, to Castle Garden
to hear Julliens famous orchestra would find no
semblance to the dark haired darkeyed. impetuous
Frederick. eldest OF the celebrated Brothers Moen-
hauer in the blind old who. though bowed by
the weight OF his sixtytwo years. remains standing
with fine oldashioned courtesy, until his detects
by the sound Of the moving chair that his visitor is
seated.
The object of this visit, Mr.. Mollenhauer is to
gather OF your experiences artist and COM
poser, together with few of the more important
points in your history. but chiefly your opinions
upon the artists OF your day. well as the present
familiar most Americans through the biographical
sketches that have appeared of you from time to
time; but nothing far, it is believed, has been
added from your own lips"
The venerable artist answered with some hesita-
ton, moving his fingers nervously and turning his
sghtless face toward the speaker "It is true that
in 'Schuberth1s Musical Hand Book published in
1850 believe. there perhaps dozen lines de-
voted to the brothers Monenhauer. and in Watson's
1~1 Of las hero
sketch OF my life which correct in every parti
cular but outside of that brief publicity other
account has been given to the word-nothing
tainly from my own lips. And yet have noticed.
and not without certain PRIDE that the press gen.
orally not only kecp me in mind. but seem pleased
to preserve such memories they have Of me, who
IS only blind old man."
When it was recalled to the venerable musician
that we were not rich in citizens whose personal
friendship with Mendelssohn and Schumann and
other masters of melody might be made subject for
boosting that could afford forget them utterly,
he smiled and said. proudly
Eyes, knew Mendelssohn and Schumann we'll;
they were my friends. I will tell you presently
what Mendelssohn wrote about my brother.
Yes, that was letter and should have been
sacredly preserved 1t sad day to when 1
lost it; but have it all here in my storehouse,"
tapping his forehead
ton of Mendelssohns letters published for the first
time in one of the current monthlies."
'I have not heard of that-but he was great soul;
his presence was an inspiration. remember him
in Leipzig, at the house Of Mr.. Week. Clara Schu-
nann's father. great musician, of whom all stood
in awe. There also David and Joachim and
Robert Schunann. who editor Of the new Nusi-
cal Zeitung The veteran Fink editor of the old
Zcitung, and power he made it. too. The old Doc
xnrs Enowleloe insDired he deer awe
wherever he appeared. All, his a great mind!
had the honor of being frequent guest of Mendes-
sohn. He treated me with the greatest considers
ton-in fact he seemed to feel a personal affection
for all musicians. He lived in beautiful
house. surrounded by every luxury. and his
the most exquisite l. ever saw;
his whole nature was extremely refined and sensi-
tive When he played. which he did often-for. no
matter what other artist present, the evening
was not considered finished unless Mendelssohn per-
formed-his face seemed transfgured. Schumann
and retiring; but Clara-what grand noble soul
hers! Those were rare days. indeed! and the
old artists face glowed with the memories he had
evoked.
Where you born.- Mr.. MollenhauerY'
IT was born in Erfurt. the capital of Thuringia.
My father wool merchant, in good circum-
stances. but plain man and greatly ayerse to any
love for music, OF which my parents knew
nothing, aud stole away to listen at the
window of a neiehboring house where an
violin to handful of pupils. / seized with
uncomfortable longing to become the owner of
until could no longer resist the temptation, and
took few pieces nom my mothers drawer about
nifty cents. and bought violin. ran to the old
schoolmaster and begged him to teach me TO play;
he charged but few pence lesson. and expended
the greater part of that in drink. Between every
piece he stopped to up the bottle to his mouth.
Many times soundly whipped for not returning
from school at the proper time, but husged my
violin in secret and was happy. I realized that
my progress had taken Inc beyond my teachers
knowledge and must get another instructor. Invent
60 j. Braun. excellent vionist and pupil of Spohr.
whose terms were 81 per lesson. took lesson
every day and made astonishing progress; but
long both teachers demanded payment and the ex-
ploson came. At first my father enrayed. but
when took up my violin and played at first tremb-
1ngly and then with and confidence, his amaze
ment only cqualled his delight. and the neighbors
n s 70 hear s sse Payf OF can Ms wonder S%
had Obtained my violin his stern sense OF recitide
oyercame all other feelings. and was severely pun.
ishcd. He, however, consented TO continuance Of
the lessons. and studied with Braun for two years.
taking lessons in harmony and composition from
pabst, and also lessons the yiooncello from Meth
fessel. Then / began to instruct my brothers
Inward on the violin and Henry on the cello. was
Edwards senior by nine years aud was his soie
teacher My brother Henry years my junior
aud also received instruction solely from me. For
several years studied and played together. when
HumIncid who was capell-meister of the Court OF
saxe-weimar and a most excellent pianist became
finally he presented us TO the Archduchess Our
playing created quite 1ore at Court, and as we had
letter OF introduction to her friend the Princess
frederika OF Holland, who received us most amiabiy
and our concerts az the Hague brilliantly at
tended. We travelled throughout Bavaria. and ut
Munich received at Court by Queen Amelia
mother of the present King Ludwig III. Her brother
the Archduke Maximilian. was sort of protector to
us. You must know in Germany the nobility are
many OF them fine musicians. At concerts
had once Crown Prince play second violin in
quartet. At Gottingen met spohr. lie came often
there and the residence of the Countess Malzburg
he played second violin in my quartet, which l had
dedicated to him."
"You knew Prosper Sainton alsoT'
"Oh, very WE'LL 1 met him at Hamburg. at the
house of ROthschnd. the great banker Nine. Roth
schild was fine pianist and drew many artists
about her. had been very successful In Hamburg
and was not little of IL and disposed put
alrs but ~ soon heard Sainton play the hrst
four bars was humblod, and before the concert
finished put my head behind pillar and cried ut
my foolish arrogance. met him oiten, and learned
deal from him. picked n style. and