Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-07-21
EngeniO MauriciO Dengremont.

1 wish that all the children in the
world might get together some beauti-
full June Gay, and then there certainly
could he nothing more charming for
them than that they should all be still
for a while, and listen to the wonder. nj
| violin playing of Eugenio Mauricio Dem
gremont. the child-artist.
Let me tell you what / know of him.
He was born March the 18th, 1866. at
Rio JaneirouBrazil. His father, having
other boys, as well as girls, and being a
| musician in moderate circumstances,
had no idea of making musicians of his
children, and did not dream that the
son born to him this day was so gifted.
But, at the age of four, Mauricio asked
his papa to teach him to play the violin.
This his father did not feel inclined to
do. He was himself violin player in
the thenter orchestra, and felt the life
of an ordinary musician an uncertain
one and not desirable for his son; but
the child never gave up the idea of be-
ing a violinist, and would leave his play
at any time to stand near his father and
eagerly watch his practice.
At last, in 1872, when the boy was
six years old, his father removed to
Montevideo, where he played again in
the theater orchestra, whittier the boy
usually accompanied him. Here Maui
ricio begged so earnestly to study the
violin that his father. taking him Mt his
word. decided to crafty him and said:
"Well, my boy. If you begin to study
the violin you will have to carry the
business through"
~ shall do SO. papa" said the boy;
and his lessons BEGAN.
He was so small! and so much in
earnest! and his father spent hours
bending over the tiny figure and guild
ing the boys little arm in the bowling.
And now take notice, all bows and
girls who "would so much love to play
well, but can't bear to practice
Great as this child's natural gifts are.
he at first practiced three and four
hours faithfully every day. To be
gifted, no doubt, makes the work
easier, but a certain amount of real
drudgery must be done by one who
succeeds in any art, no matter how
gifted he may be.
After four months study, Mauricio
could play the scales and in thirds.
also quite difficult on the violin) as
well and as rapidly as his father; and,
besides. he played so remarkably that
his father discovered him to be really
genius. as his name indicated, and SO he
faithfully and strictly attended to the
boys teaching.
After fourteen months study. the
father decided to allow the boy 20 give
his first concert, but fearing lest his son
might not have the self-control neces-
sary for successful public perform
ance. he took him to a little town
Paysander-up the river, to make trial.
The concert at Paysander entirely
satisfied the father of the bows nerve
and self-command. and, returning to
Montevideo, he gave his first concert
there to benefit the unfortunate victims
of railroad accident. Here his play
ing created great excitement, and, aft
er that, every appearance of his in pub
lie concerts was an ovation.
Since this modest beginning in the
South American town. the boy has been
petted and battered by all Europe, al
though he is singularly unspoiled, both
son and father being of generous ma
ture. But like to think OF him, in his
childish grace and beauty, beginning
his musical career with this kindly deed. |
He seems to me capable of doing such |
thing nobly.
After the concert in Montevideo, and !
a grand concert in Rio Janeiro, he left |
his brothers and sisters, and his mother !
Whose personal beauty he inherits-
and went with his father to try his for |
tune in the Old World.
He went first to Lisbon; thence to !
Madrid, where he played before the
King, and received no end of honors !
and decorations; and from there to |
Paris, where he gave ten concerts.
Think of it: scarcely ten years old!
From this tme-1S76-h had private |
lessons from Leonard. in Paris. These |
lessons hardly would have occupied
more than year, if given without a
break, but they extended over a longer
period, during which he Travelled over
all Europe, excepting Russia and Italy. |
Everywhere he met with great success.
Such is meager history of this won
derful bows child-life enough, how
ever. to give us hope of a glorious man.
hood for him, for Mauricio is not an I'M
precocious child-a forced
hot house bosom but healthy, fun
loving, boyish boy. with buoyant ami
NAL spirit, and as ready for wholesome
fun as for earnest study; and withal,
certainly much more of a child than the
average American boy OF his age.
But, then. when his face is quiet, the
violin under his chin, and his bow in
motion, he is again something strange
" above us-a true musical genius.
Nicholas.