The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-18

lived with them and contributed to their support.
advanced age-what would call late born child:
His mother, by the way, was older than his father.
what were the mental characteristics of Brahmsf
HE was great reader. especially OF herman
poetry and knew the best of II less by heart
To strangers he was monosyllabc in conversation.
with me he was Joyous and communicative. In fact,
he had perfect reliance in my Judgment
that he would succeed. and seemed to accept
were matter of fate. At this time he was giving
lessons tor the patry sum of fifteen cents an hour.
determined to take him away from Hamburg, but
every body with the exception of his mother smiled
at the suggestion and regarded it as fraught with
folly: However, in the spring of 1883 we ieit tue
city for the purpose of going to Wemar Dut 10 6e1
there we required money, and We had none. we nau'
therefore. to play our way from station to station
giving concerts in the small villages and towns writ
ing and distributing the programmes ourselves anu
content with receipts that did not average more than
20 or SO From an eItant gaze you see ss;,d
Everywhere r0ute recommended my Johannes 10
everybody genius, for desired him IN my
enthusiasm to be recognized by the whole world Az
last we reached Hanover, when went straight to
Joseph Joachim, with whom l had studied in the
Conservatoire at Vienna. He was ut this time about
twenty years of age and favorite of the blind
King (who is now dead), occupying the position OF
concert mester to His Majesty. l at once told him
l had no money and that he must assist me. also
said that had left behind me In the little inn
young companion, named Johannes Brahms who
was musical genius. At this stereotype statement
he smiled, and said he would willingly recommend
me and my companion to the King, in order that we
might. perhaps obtain the privilege OF giving con-
cert before him and thus secure sufficient sum to
carry US on our way.
BEL ORE THE KING.
"In the afternoon OF that day was called, with
Joachim to the presence of His Majesty. He in
quired who desired for an accompanist and re-
Piled Your Majesty. want none, because have
with whom l regard as great musical
genius The blind King replied We'll, we will
hear your genius in the evening, when you shall
give o concert before the court circle
.'In the course OF the evening the King asked
Brahms to play some of his compositions. When
he had finished His Majesty. taking my hand, led
me to the window and said My dear Mr.. Remenyi
/ believe your enthusiasm is Overdone; your "musi
cal genius has no genius at ALL
'This historical moment was recalled to me by
the King himself when in Paris in 1874. At con-
cert at the Sale Herr. after had finished playing he
observed to me:-'With reference to your friend
Johannes Brahms, You were right and We all were
wrong. I remember your prediction in 1858 con-
corning that young lad and his present reputation is
an honor to your judgment.
1.-The present Duke of Cumberland the of the
King ana the whole suite were standing near by
when His Majesty recapitulated the circumstances in
detail They all stared at me.
RRMINIscENCE OF LIszr.
from Hanover went to Weimar, the then home
of LsZt the maestro and proceeded to the Hotel do
Russe. 1 dressed in my finest clothes for the great
event of presenting myself to him. l went to his
residence alone ana had scarcely arrived before was
ushered into q beautiful drawing room full of the
most exquisite objects of art, whore tremblingly
awaited the appearance of the great man. As he came
in the sight Of his fine Dantesque face, which once
seen never be forgotten. almost overwhelmed
me, but in q very few moments his kind manners
and. charming conversation put me completely at
ease and restored my self-possession. He asked me
concerning my plans and purposes. told him
frankly that desired to avail myself of his nstruc
ton in music. He at once consented, adding that it
would give him an especial pleasure to teach me
because / fellow countryman-a Hum
garian He said he had heard OF me-
and made many inquiries concerning my past expert
ence In the course Of the conversation he acetiously
inquired if was well supplied with money. l told
he. ! told him at neghboring hotel He
swerel. Put your things together and come and live
with me- You cannot imagine my feelings was
tude. l said to him. But, my dear master, / am not
alone and in few hurried words explained the dis
covery had made in Hamburg. and described my
friend Johannes. oh, WELL said he, 1T does not
matter Come and live here together. heavy
weight fell from my breast and I ran back to the
hotel carrying the good news. Brahms much
overjoyed as myself We packed our baggage, and
the next morning went to the Altenburg-the resi-
the great master said:-sweli, what is your
genius. as you call him. able to do
to aa'e which hope p viii satisfy Your high %ds
ment Brahms therefore invited to sit down
the piano, but hesitaed not daring to do in the
presence of illusrious parsonage Seeing this.
List kindly sad:-'If You have your compositions
at hand will play them for YOU He read two
three of them only the great maestro is able to
plry ut 6rst sight. Brahms was oyerpowcred, and
wcp.. Alter finishing them Liszt lett the piano and
walked up and down the room, saying nothing ex-
cept We'll, well! We shall see shall see!'--
nothing more. and reapsed into silence. After this
pupils in. and of those interesting lessons
Atenburg, where music was better taught and in
more genial way than anywhere else in the
world. II was sublime combination, Of theory
and practice illustrated by the brain and fingers of
the greatest exponent of music who lives have no
need to tell you that his pupils regarded Lszt with
yeneration-n fact, almost worshipped him.
A SLEEPY MUSICIAN
s.And now comes an incident which has been puzzle
to me until the present time. While Listz playing
most sublmely to bis pupils Brahms calmly slept in
a fIutesni at least seemed to do so II act
that produced bad blood among those present and
thunderstorm. In going out questioned Brahms
concerning his behavior His only excuse was:-
WELL was overcome with fatigue; l could not help
it, My friend, William Mason. distinguished
American pianist and teacher who is now in this
city, was present on this memorable occasion
and will corroborate the circumstance / have
described. mentioned it to him only the other day.
and he remem bered it perfectly. said to Brahns:-
Whatever the that moment time tor
Sleep and see clearly that there is no staying for
you here commenced to think about his reaioval
to congenia place. still determined however.
to adhere to my first judgment. After weeks resi-
dence at Altcnburg, said to Brahms:-It is useless
for you to remain in this neighborhood any longer;
still cannot 20 with you because the great master
is kind to me and must continue my studies with
him therefore will write letter for you to Joseph
Joachim. praying that he will send you to
Robert Scnumann. at Dusseldorf He agreed
to the proposition. We put little funds
together, with which Branms enabled to
reach Hanover. whence he went straight to Robert
Schumann with letter of introduction from my
friend Joachim. Strange enough did not
hear anything. from Brahms for some time;
painfully until day while sitting dinner with
Liszt lit was his habit to open his letters and
papers when eating) he turned to me suddenly with
the remark We'll Remenyi, 1t seems that your judg
ment is right, after all Here is letter in the
Ieipsc Muscd Journal written by Robert Schu mann.
that will astonish the musical world. 1t says that
new musical Messiah has arrived and that Minerva
stood ut the cradle OF Johannes Brahms burst
into tears, for felt in instant that IL was a
rccompense for my devotion and the persstcncy with
which / had unsehshly adhered to the fortunes
of my friend. List became very thoughtful but
said nothing more. From this moment waited for
q letter from Brahms. but il came. And this
said Mr.. Remenyi, sis the plain narrative of the Incl
dent which you have asked to divulge. and which
for twenty-five years have held sacred.
QUESTION OF CHANCE.
"By the way" added the speaker, turning 70 vol
ume see stated here that in 1868 young Brahms
made his first concert tour and by chance went
to Dusseldorf, where he took occasion to make the
acquaintance of Schumann.' You from what I
have said That this is absolutely not true The visit
TO schumann was most deliberately planned by my
self and my letter TO Joaohin and the letter from
Joachim TO schumann were simply stepping stones
in tho career of Johannes Brahms"
.u.v. vote met Brnhma Rince NJ