Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-09
LUCKY HUNGARIANs.
Music at a-Pesth-Between War,
PeStiIence and Eamine-JOachIm.
Xechy and LIszt at Home
Opinions of sarah Bern
hardt and the Prince
of wales,

BudaP esth CORES pondence of the Edin-
burgh Scotsman: "We have seldom heard
so much and so beautiful music as now, at
| the hight OF the season, a time which is
generally consecrated here to the worship OF
| Terpsichore. Concerts, and such concerts,
alternate with splendid balls, and people en-
| Joy themselves as If that terrible shadow in
the east were but dream-as if no plague
| existed and no war made many households
| desolate. We dance between the dreary past
and the threatening future, and those whose
hearts are sore have plenty of opportunities
to enjoy the most soothing of arts. First we
had Joseph Joachim, who gave two concerts,
which were, of course, triumps for the great
| artist. | find it difficult to say anything
| about his performance since our il,ustrious
compatriot is as well known in England as
here. You are the nation best adapted to
appreciate the leading qualities of Joachim s
genius; the objective quIetness and classical
purity of his style. JoachIm's performance
is SO simple and so noble that, enthralled as
we are, his wonderful velocity passes almost
unnoticed, and such is his dread of even
the semblance of humbug, that he sometimes
carries too far the precision of his per-
formance, rather than offend the vanity of
art by the slightest eXaggeratlon of SENSIBLE
ity or enthusiasm. Joachim gave US a con-
cert of Spohr and a new concert of Brahm 3,
which the talented composer directed him.
cone, of Bach, probably the Hottest of all
compositions which has ever been written for
the violin, and which he plays as no violinist
has played It before. Nevertheless, 1t is not
Joachim who is the Zion of our musical sea-
son, but Count Gejza Itchy, the wonderful
pianist with one hand, who has returned from
Paris covered with laurels. In some of my
former letters ! nave already mentioned
Count Itchy and his misfortune. But this
misfortune has become the source of his fame,
and has rendered him Specialize which
even artists admire. The Paris Figaro pub
fishes leng article about the wonderful per.
formances of the young Hungarian noble
man, who plays with the left hand with the
JraroHra of four. Erard opened separate pi-
ano room for Count L,chy, where he played
every day in the presence of ilustrious
audiences. The Prince and Princess of
Wales, for instance. we've enchanted by his
playing; and Sarah Bernhardt, the celebrated
actress, sculptor and authoress, struck by the
ingenious manner with which he plays the
melody and the accompaniment at the same
time, exclaimed with admiration, 1t is lucky
for you that you haven't lived in the fifteenth
century; they would have burned you alive.'
And 1t IS really wonderful to see him play
the difficult compositions of Bach with the
purity of an artist who mas mastered only the
natural difficulties. 1t is not his present sue
cess which we most admire, but the great
patience, the strong will and inspired love of
art, which have made this young rich noble
man toll with unceasing ardor to conquer his
misfortune, and become an artist in spite of
his defect Count Itchy gave a concert for
the endowment fund of poor literary men,
and the concert room was crowded with the
elite Of Buda-Pesth. He was received
with reclamation, and his triumph was
complete. Llszt, the great tutor of this
distinguished pupil, assisted at the concert.
The maestro returned a few weeks ago from
Rome In excellent health and spirits. 1t is
interesting to visit this great genius in his
simple home in the house OF the Academy of
Music. Liszt, who in former times liked to
surround himself with the luxury of a Syba-
rite, lives now In two simply furnished rooms,
whose only adornment are eua5roideries and
paintings, the works OF MS numerous ADM
rers. Only on festive occasions does he open
his recepton-rooms. which, though spacious
and elegant, are very simple. Surrounded as
he Is by his pupils and admirers, List seldom
finds tune TO work in Pesth. The Villa Este,
near Rome, is the place where his creative
powers expand with the greatest facility. and
duung the few months he passes in the re-
tirement of his beautiful abode, he writes
those masterpieces OF religious music which |
will make his fame immortal.