The New York herald., 1879-09-25
RAFAEL JOSEFFY.
RIVAL OF THE HUNGARIAN pIAN1sr-s SKETCH

ARRIVAL OF THE HUNGARIAN PIANIST-sKETCH
OF HIS CAREER.
Musical celebrities from Hungary seem to be mul.
tplying fast in this country After Etelka Gerster.
lima di Murska and Edouard Remenyi. there is now
in midst Rafael Joseffy the Hungarian pianist.
who arrived yesterday in the Amerique. Mr.. Josefy
was welcomed by q number of his friends and fell
low artists in New York, and was. Immediately upon
his arrival Americas hospitable Shores the re-
cpient of q notable compliment the part of Mr..
August Belmont. who had sent his carriage to the
French dock to convey him to the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. representative OF the HERALD boarded
the steamer while Mr.. Joseffy was receiving tho
greetings OF his friends in the cabin, and during
the course of brief conversation learned some
interesting details to his past artistic The
Hungarian virtuoso is q young man of twenty-six,
and having quite smooth face. with the exception
of dminutive mustache he looks even more youth
full than he really is. He is quite short with an
unmistakable tendency to embonpoint for young .
man. large round head of Oriental type. pleasant
features and fine. large. dreamy eyes, which he
fixes upon his interlocutor with an expression Of
great candor ana earnestness. When asked IL he
ried on the conversation in German said it had
been delightful. and spoke in terms of the warmest
praise OF the excellent accommodations OF the
| French steamer.
JosEFFY's MUSICAL EDUCATION.
"Wil you tell something about your past
| artistic career" Herr JoseFy was asked.
~ was born in Miskolcz, Hungary, and was edu.
Gated in Pesth. began to show love of music at
the age OF hve, and when eleven appeared for
tho first time in public in Pesth. received much
encouragement that was sent to Lcipsic to study
under the famous Moscheles and received there the
first prize of the Mendessohn 'Stit.' Later on the
great Tausig who died prematurely at the age Of
thirty. and who was then regarded Germany the
greatest master of the piano living took In his
special charge and remained with him for about two
living, but did not study under him as was not
specially attracted by his peculiar school, My taste
had changed and was now for more serious and solid
art"
| "where did you make your first great SUCCESS a.
an artistY
'In vienna-you know what an intensely musical
city Vienna is, and was determined. alter had
completed my studies. to achieve before the
viennese public-probably the critical In point
of musical taste in Europe. WELL / appeared in
concert under the best auspices and made grand
This was such an astonishing statement. coming
porter fairly speechess.
FAILURE FOLLOWED BY SUCCESS.
Yes, Herr Joseffy said frankly, ~ am not
ashamed to avow it-it was a great fzzle. Tho
play was too wild and crude. and that had yet to
learn o great deal. not in point OF technique
syo That purity sn ~ nna
set diligently to work, and for three years more
studied and practised almost inccssanty. My style
was chastoned and purified, aud upon my next ap-
pearance, am happy to say. achieved success
the like of which had hardly been known in
Vienna-cortainly not since Rubinstein. One critic
wrote that 'Tansig was re-rson.' another spoke as
fine as young Liszt.' third-Otto Rensdorf. in the
Vienna Musihreitungsad he is Rubinstein and BH.
these kind words"
'IIave you appeared in many other cities?'
"Yes, my success was repeated In Dresden, Loip.
sic, Stuttgart and many other musical centrcs. I
travelled with Carotta Patti through Holland. but.
after ALL did not like the trip very much on account
of the secondary position which l. az pianist had to
occupy beside her vocal pyrotechncs; with Sivori.
the only Living pupil OF Paganini, through Italyi
through Holland and Southqn Germany. was to
make my debut in Paris this winter, but, as artists
have always to look at pccuniary Inducements, and
as also had desire to see this country, was per-
suaded to accept this engagement
(which are your favorite composers?"
Chopin and Bach. I shall probably mako my
debut with Chopins concert in Moll, In which
nave acMeved one OF my greatest successes. This
l recently found in a manuscript left by Chopin.
At one time was very much devoted to Liszt; but
now my taste Is for more serious and classical
music. play also Beethoven good deal"
"Will you play much Hungarian musicf"
"As little us possible" Herr Joscfy's reply,
and being called away by his friends, who desired "a
leave the ship, the interview here Terminated.