The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-04
MAX PRIMER, PIANIST.

A CHAT WITH THE iUpIL OF LIszr-wHf THE
YOUNG AMERICAN WENT ABROAD AND WHAT
He PROPOSES T, DO AT HOME.
/ Mr. Max Pinner the young American pianist and
favorte pupil OF Lszt arrived in the city yesterday
by the German steamship Main. after exceed
ingly pleasant summer tour in Europe. Mr. Primer
went at to his home. in Lexington avenue. and
there. in the evening HERALD reporter found him
and had agreeable chat with him in regard to his
visit abroad and his purposes at home.
II went to Europe this time Mr.. Primer said.
principally for EXPERIMENTATION rest and enjoy
ment. During my residence in Germany and on my
concert tours through the German cities made
many friends whom was anxious to see. Besides.
wished to visit Liszt at Weimar and hear Wagner's
.Nibelungen' at Munich. You see went for enjoy
mont. went only to and hear
II suppose it will never be possible to induce
Liszt to como to American" the reporter suggested
interrogatvely
'oh never" Nh. Primer replied. HE is getting ts
be old now. and altgough he is still as vgor
Gus and active he was he will not cross the
Atlantic. He gave up playing in public and teaching
nearly thirty ago and he is not likely to begin
ag M; =, o,.r.si.. ,,o s.or;.. .,
good many ambitious young pianists" the reporter
said elf List does not teach why is it there
many pupils of List claiming public favorY'
..weil. You see. he is exceedingly good natured.
to him. l found at Weinar about thirty persons.
among them several Americans. all of whom from
Among these there only two or three persons
decided talent. but talent or no talent they tor
ment him to listen to them: If he praises them ever
little they made for life and set themselves up
distinguished artists pupils of List"
'.pid you play for him during your visitY'
..Only once. was with him fortnight, and one
day he asked me ii was going to play for him.
said yes If he wished it, He said he did wish 1t, and
then asked me what I would play. told him. with
b;s I MIA for he
piano, the only one he ever wrote. played 1t
here last winter. as you may remember. In
sunday afternoon, and he would have the
band That is the best translation can
for the event and invited all the musicians natu
rally felt very nervous, for Notwithstanding
knew him so we'll mountaineering had travelled
for him constantly, never could play one Of his
works without the nervous feeling which then
came back to me. Liszt added to my nerve usness.
too. for when l was to play :. he said.
Now wo shall have something;. Still there
and my fingers were in good condition.
and when contemplated all this forgot everything
else. and think may say I acquitted myself well:
| always do play best when am most disturbed and
doubtful beforehand. 1t is no easy task. however,
to down before the greatest pianist who has
greatest work to his satisfaction. AS composer
know Liszt well-so well that If played work of
| his which had never seen or heard could detect
his personally it; but this makes it all the
difficult for to interpret his genius satisfactorily
to myself. especially when the great master is my
| auditor"
Now that you are home again." the reporter
said, what are you going to do. Mr.. Primer. for
| music i'll New YorkY'
Really, l can't say" was the reply. II have made
no arrange Us yet. l don't like professions
tours from city to city They are very laborious
aud they tend to destroy everything that is realistic
| in art. Perhaps some day may become more prac
teal and consent to play the same programme night
| q night from town to town, but for the pres
ent l prefer to appear in public but seldom
and then under circumstances that are congenial
1 suppose shall appear during the season in
series of chamber soirees in connection with DR.
Damrosch-at least that the understanding
| when 1 went away-but beyond this have con
| sidered proposition that has been made to me
ana so far have nobody. only landed to-day
AID have been here quietly resting since lef
tho ship"