The New York herald., 1879-02-03
REMENYI'S PROTEGE.
Another Chapter Of Gossip from the
Violin VirtuOSO.
HIS YOUNG COMPOSER
The History OF an Artist-"My
Second Brahms"

SeCOQO ms.
1t will be remembered that the HERALD recently
published an interesting interview with NJ. Edouard
Remenyi. the well known violin virtuoso. The ar.
ticle in question has elected not little interest
in musical circles and provoked much comment
1t has also been widely republished by the leading
journals of the country. At the close of the inter-
view the artist promised to speak a future occa.
sion concerning his discovery of another musical
genius whom he predicted would. like his early
friend Johannes Brahms, eventually become lis.
tinguished great musical composer. The writer
called yesterday at the apartments of NJ. Remenyi
at the Westminster Hotel for the purpose of holding
further conversation upon the topic After few
preliminary remarks the artist said-
'Before going into the subject of your call must
ask the favor of making an explanation to you in
connection with the article Johannes Brahms.
You will remember that in referring to the Hunga-
rian dances plainly said that was sure Brahms
himself had nothing to do with their publication.
and that it only owing to the greediness of pub
fishers that his has been coupled with them
for many years their composer. 1t s that fact
which has led to the sale presume. of millions Of
copies, although If were Brahms should long ago
have protested against such proceedings for he has
no need to wear borrowed plumage by making the
world believe that he has composed things which
mere transcrptions or copies. Brahms has aston.
ished the musical world for twenty years, and,
predicted that he would do if he lived. he has pro
duced sublime chef dGur'es that have been played
throughout the civilized world and are Justly con-
sidered gems of musical poetry. Now, let drop
the subject and to the purpose of your visit
ing this musical light-this coming man
whom you soy. you have discovered-his name. and
AMUs1cAL DISCOVERY
cit may seem rash for me to make another predc-
ton. for geniuses are not spawned like fishes
have the authority of great name like that of
Robert Schumann to give weight to my statements;
but nevertheless. have the courage and boldly
sert coram puJco that have again met musical
marvel. 1t under these circumstances:-1
rived in America the Sth of November last and
scarcely domiciled before naturally sought the
companionship OF my own countrymen. Among
these was Mr.. Frederick Korbay, whom Ihad known
for many years. and who is one Of your prominent
topic to another my friend said to half
humorously, "Well, it seems that we Hungarians
States and showing to the world something of tho
musical productions of our country. For instance.
arrived. am making tolerabe headway. and there
would be still another II he not dead. 'Dead!'
l replied What do you mean by thata He an
swered:-'Havc you never heard Of Maymilian
.This,' said he; i met this countryman Of ours
the 1's sy on som SsS %e wss en % IL
to South America and the last that heard Of him
facetiously made was:-'wei. ,eYniescat H. pace.
peace to his ashes! Let us talk of something more
cheerful, Korbay then explained to me that this
talent and by his death the musical profession had
sustained serious loss.
NJ. voGRIcH.
"A few weeks subsequent to this conversation, and
after had appeared several times in public, hap
pened to be at Booths Theatre i'll of the dress
ing rooms waiting to go before the audience, when
gentleman whom have known for the last sixteen
years. and who is now singing with much ectas in
the character Of the Admiral, in the opera Of
III. nj. S. pinafore. ut the Standard Theatre.
in .aIs city, rsfer to sDa Mr. Thomas Whit
there is young Hungarian in the theatre who is
very eager not only to listen to you but to you
in person. yet does not dare to call on you What
is his namey asked. 'Vogrich, he replied Tho
memory OF his name at recurred to me- and
asked Mr.. whiffen to bring him in at once. He re-
turned in few moments in company with fair fea-
tured young man, apparently not more than three
and twenty years of age. was attracted by his mild
and modest expression, his retiring dcmeanor, and
By striking resemblance to the fine lineaments OF
Mozart. l reproached him in gentle way for not
calling upon before, especially in view Of the fact
that he was u fellow countryman and that We were
brother musicians lie blushed aud made few
bashful excuses Our conference then COM
paratively brief one and he left with promise to
visit me ut an early day"
'what did you discover in the young man which
so particularly attracted your
elm the first place he propitiously announced
by my friend, and secondly his personal appearance
spoke volumes. don't know wny-perhaps it
due to my enthusiastic and imaginative nature-but
was reminded of my friend Johannes Brahms and
the experiences of twenty-five years ago; and said
to myself Here is another upon whom nature has
laid her fingers and fate has pointed out for
tion. There was no mistaking the character Of the
face"
EvENTFuL CAREER.
when he called on me again asked him some
much. Yes he replied. modcstly. What
Kind of muster inquired Nearly every
fugues. opera and so on. have tried myself in
every department of composition. travelled all
the world, and have yet to fnd permanent home
All this he remarked in retiring and hesitatng way
that impressed me still more favorsbly On subse-
quent inquiry from those familiar with his past life
learned that he born In Szeben in Transylva-
mia. which In OF the loveliest portions of Hun
gary the 9th of January 1862 10y the way, sing
larly enough that is the birthday of Mozart), his
father being Antoine vogrich musical chef dorciera
from whom he received his early education. He
M was therefore. born US It were in the very
fourteen years OF age his father suddenly
taken III while rehearsing wagner's Lohengrin'
ut Brinn, in Moravia. and calling upon his son.
who thoroughly familiar with tine opera, he
handed him the baton and the lad conducted the per-
formance OF that wonderful composition. After this
he went to Leipsic where he studied three years in
the Conservatoire and became kind OF protege OF
the celebrated Moschclics He then travelled through
Hungary, giving concerts that were not lucrative.
and at the aye o. eighteen made tour of Russia,
even to the foot OF the Caucasian Mountains. In
1872 he went to Paris and then travelled extensively
Ia France. Spain. Portugal and Italy. In Italy lie
was appointed chJ dorchestr1, and in Florence
posed his opera, Wanda, which had fair rccep-
ton. but bad management spoiled the consequences
Of success. aad. disheartencd, he went from Milan
to Mexico. From Mexico he came to Now York. re-
Inaineia lew months, and, with the old spirit OF
wandering upon him. went to South America whcro
he gave concerts until bad, good luck. perhaps.
drove hiin again to this city.
THE YOUNG COMPOSER DESCRIBED.
I'm the course of the interview TO which refer
asked young Vogrich IL he would play for me. He
sat down to the piano, tins very Instrument. by tho
way. and performed tho finale Of the first act of his
opera Wanda, and among other things. especially.
magnificent fugue which would have done honor TO
the greatest of contemporaries. l was amazed at
the grand character of his harmony and exquisite
nature of the musical poetry that permeatcd all OF
his compositions. Indeed, could not resist shaking
his hands and warmly congratulating HIM upon his
Success"
..Is i,e thcu sucb m rc,nark Able pianist?'
"No: but he plays extremely WELL Yet II he did
not do would matter at all. for hc s much
inorc than pianist; hc Is poet composer.
HAS he composed anything of ateg'
'.le.ore leaving mo asked him to write theme
for the violin with piano accompaniment. TO my
asonishncnt he rctdrncd In three hours with roll
OF seven pages of music, which he entitled "A Ic-
gcnd 1 did not consider IL possible that such