Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-11
A REMARKABLE MUSICIAN.
Count Zichy's Wonderful Performances
with One Hand

win one Haul.
PARIS, Feb. 24.-Count Geza Itchy, the
celebrated pianist, arrived here last week
and is the lion of the hour. He has been
charming the elite by his performances
during the past few days and will give
grand concert on the 27th at the Sale
Albert lie Grand, in aid of the VictiDes
d. DeuOir, under the auspices OF The
Paris press. Count Itchy has only one
arm, and is the greatest living pianist,
with the exception, perhaps, of his coun-
tryman and teacher, Able Franz List
The Count was born in Hungary in 1919
aud from childhood eVinced marked
taste for music and poetry. When boy
he made verses and played on the violin.
He imagined that be saw visions and even
composed serenades for them. His father
placed him under the care of a music
teacher, but he did not mskel much pro-
gress. At last the teacher visited the
father and sadly remarked: "rhat boy
Of yours has an excellent right hand, but
his left will never amount TO anything"
Never was a prophecy more strikingly
falsifed. When IA years of age the Count
lost his right arm by an accident while
hunting. His physicians forbade him
pursuing any physical or intellectual
work for some time after the amputation.
The Count cbated under this enforced in
activity for time and finally one daY ne
handed his tutor a sealed note With in
struetiOns not to open 1t for year. The
note. when opened, read as follows: "If
within a year from this date cannot do
with my left hand everything that other
people do with both hands will blow my
brains out"
The young Count set to work resolutely
to carry out his resolve. He refused TO
eat any meat unless 1t were cut with his
own hand, or any fruits unless he peeled
them himself, and be even let his nails
grow till be could pare them. At the end
Of three months he was able to drive his
horses, handle the oar, fence like an
hlete and hunt like a NimrOd. He soon
resumed bis musical exercises, but was
compelled 20 substitute the piano for the
violin. Meantime he studied law and de-
voted portion OF his spare hours to Hight
literature. He was fond of the theatre
and wrote four comedies, which were
played at a theatre in Buda-Pesth, and
published several romances and two
small volumes Of lyric poems.
One day the famous Able List heard
the One-armed YOUTH practicing on the
piano alone in his room. Tue master lis
tened Tor a time with Tapt attention, and
then stealing on tiptoe to the boys pres.
ence, stopped down and kissed him on the
forehead, exclaiming: Young man,
you Will be without a riVali Tu Ma cell
lus eTis." Itchy at once became Liszps
pupil and remained under the instruction
of the great master for six years. List
taught the pupil 10 substitute his thumb
for the right hand in playing the piano.
But the master after wards declared that
''he did not then dream bis pupil would
ever succeed in executing the chrOmatiC
scales or making tiger bounds OF iye and
octaves by the use OF his thumb"
Alter his SIX years practice un-
der Liszt, Count Itchy entered on
his public career. His first app arance
was At Vienna, where the celebrated
critic Handschlick exclaimed, after hear
ing him: "Many people play the piano;
some delight US with IL, but Zichy en-
chants.0 The Count has never rr9eived
any remuneration from his ~ ices.
They are given 10 the cause OF " fity,
and be has Travelled over all Europe in his
philanthTopic mission. lie has realized
hundreds ~ thousands Of dollars for the
poor Of all countries. A lady, referring
TO Count Zichy's inhrmity, exclaimed one
day In the hearing OF List: "rhe poor
mani How I pity Hump "PitY himw
replied the master; ''uOt at all madame (;
but bis plano is 70 be piued; and the pe0-
pie VINO never heard him play ~, sill
more So" The Count Is a capital shot,
and has been the victor In three duels.