The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-18
A TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. SECRET.
Revelations That Will Stir
the Musical World.
REMENYI AND JOHANNES BRAHMS.
Who Composed brahms Celebrated
Hungarian Dances 2"

Afew weeks ago representative of the HERALD
was present at one of the Philharmonic concerts in
the Academy of Music when the society played the
second symphony of Johannes Brahms and Edouard
Remenyi the great volinist performed for the first
time in this country the concerto pathetique by
Ernst gentleman who occupied an adjacent seat
observed TO his companion lit is q remarkable fact
that but for Remenyi we should probably have
heard of Brahms or his great symphonies. There is
curious romance connected with the two artists"
Attracted by the strange assertion the writer re-
aucsted further information. II cannot give it,
was the reply ''for only know the general fact. Go
and see Remenyi himself; he may be willing to tell
the story
Acting on the suggestion the writer called at the
Westminster Hotel. and. after repeated attempts.
succeeded in finding the great virtuoso at home, or
rather he put it, in his musical den. 1t was, in
fact, little less. grand piano occupied the centre
of the apartment. the top of which Uttered with
music in manuscript and print, letters books and
artistic paraphernaa. On the mantelpiece were
pictures of Wilhemi, Gerster, Sanford the wealthy
amateur pianist and scores of well known celebri-
ties, intermngled with cigarettes and empty coffee
cups His favorite violin lay in its open case. and
the lounge and all of the surroundings betokened
the carelessness of a man whose bump of order had
been largely neglected in his early education.
Remenyi however quickly kept the eye from
derng any other object than himself for there is
about him certain kind Of animal magnetism
that makes you attentive observer in his
presence and wondering critic of his every
thought and motion In person he is somewhat
below the average stature but compactly built and
well proportional His forehead is high. broad and
intellectual eyes restless and expressive. mouth mo-
bile and face clean shaver, good natured and gen.
orally indicative of great force. in which, however,
impulse is the predominatng characteristics.
SECRET OF TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
When the writer preached the subject of his visit
and explained the incident that occasioned it cloud
temporarily passed the features of the artist.
and he remarked what you heard at the Academy
is true, but reluctant to give you any further
details 1t is secret which have carried for twen-
ty-ivc years. and l necessity for making it
public now"
Then you knew Brahms Intimately
''Quite SO; yes" and curious smile apparent.
''Did you save his life or anything of that knd?'
ooh, no" 1.-THE smile broadened), ''but very
good friends in our boyhood. as you may infer from
this picture" taking from escr7tOirs old
fashioned daguerreotype, dated on the back Ham
burg, 1885, and representing two beardless youths;
one Remenyi. sitting, and the other, Johannes
Brahms. standing with his hand resting Familiarity
the shoulder Of his companion.
Then you must have known Brahms before he
met Robert Schumann?
Eyes, did
''Yet did not Schumann write to musical journal
in Leipsic in 1858 the startling statement that in the
person of Brahms he had discovered new Messiah
in musc?'
THAT is true. think it in the month Of Octo-
Der, but never mind"
There must, therefore. be some basis for the re-
mark that overheard at the Academy and which has
brought me here
"well." said Mr.. Remenyi. impusively. "I will tell
YOU although, as i said before, reluctant to re-
veal that which carefully withheld quarter
of a century Listenl' and with picture in hand he
commenced to pace nervously up and down the floor.
THE STORY.
81 was in Hamburg toward the end of the year
1882 kind Of etdnt gdN spoiled child of the elite
of the city. There scarcely q concert or soiree
where my presence and assistance required.
Probably much of this kindness and attention were
due to the fact that / then Hungarian exile.
During these concerts it was. of course,
sary for me to employ the services of an
accompanist. In January. 1858, q fashionable
musical entertainment was announced at the house
of one of the great merchant princes Of Hamburg-a
Mr.. Heinrich. On the very day the soiree was to
take place received letter from my usual accom-
PIANIST stating that he would be unable to be pres
ent that evening, owing to illness went across the
street from my hotel-Le Soleil-to the music cstab-
lshment of Mr.. Auguste B0hm, to ascertain where I
could find a substitute. In answer TO my inquiries
that gentleman remarked in a nonchalant manner
that little Johannes would perhaps be satisfactory
/ asked what sort Of johannes he was. He
replied, He is poor piano teacher. whose
name is Johannes Brahms. He is worthy
young man. q good musician and very de-
voted to his family All right. said; send him
70 the hotel in the afternoon and will him.
About five O'Clock Of the same day. while practising
in my room. somebody knocked ut the door, and in
came youth with very high soprano voice, but
whose features owing to the dusk of the evening,
could not well discern. lighted candle and then
saw standing before me young man who appeared
70 about sixteen seventeen Of Both of
S W. s- than we were in realty he Observed in
modest way. My name Is Johannes Brahms. l have
been sent here by Mr.. Bohm to accompany
You, and shall be very happy IL 1 satisfy
You as an assistant We began to rehearse
OF once, but he had scarcely touched his piano be-
fore found that he far better musician than
my previous accompanist and became interested
at once in my new-made friend. don't know why.
but at that very instant sort Of aureoe seemed to
linger around his face. 1t lighted up beautifully
and distinctly remember soliloquizing to myself
81, her yats las laid her fingers on nv friend ad
dressed TO him question after question concerning
his career and learned its most important details
amonu other things that he had made maly compost
tions of his own. We ceased rchcarsing, and when
he began to play one Of his sonstas. violin.
soiree engagements, everything was forgotten
I'm the intense that engendered tho
occasion. I was electrified and sat In mute amaze
ment. could not help making the involuntary
mark, MY dear Brahms you are q geniusi' He
smiled in melancholy sort Of wsy.in fact his faco
pression--and replied, We'll. II am genius, GER
fainy not much recognized in this good city of
Hamburg But they will recognize you.' said
and shall henceforth tell to everybody whom
meet that l have discovered in you q
musical GEM. You may imagine the chsrac.
ter OF that interview when / tell you that
we did not separate until four o'clock In the morning.
PATE.
1.-THE people at the house Of Mr.. Heinrich were. Of
course. disappointed and angry at my non-appcar-
snce but was mere boy aud cared little for conse-
ouepces ct that time. The result was that lost
many similar opportunities and became . sort Of
laughing stock among the citizens of Hamburg
Some of them snccringly said, AS you don't want
us we don't want you. Since you have found o
genius" go and help yourselves. l took up the
gauntlet.
Not 10 be too long with you" said Mr.. Remenyi
81 have only TO say that all of my engagements
ceased. but I clung TO nv Johannes Brahms