Omaha daily bee., 1888-03-25

about his finger, and, with deep sigh,
'it has never been and never will be
laundried."
But the most valuable souvenirs she
possesses are two original manuscripts
of the great composer, one a song,
"Sainto Cecilo," the other an "Elegie"
for violoncello, pianoforte, hard and
harmonium. The words of the song are
in his own hand and there are the
erasures and alterations just as he made
them.
Besides the Liszt souvenirs, Miss
Stevens is fortunate enough to have
many letters from Won Bulow, Th.
Kullak, Scharwenka and Moszkowski,
and the latter, the greatest living COM
poser of the younger school, has dedi-
Gated to her superb conception
dance spagnole"-which she renders
in a startlingly effective manner. She
also takes great pride in note from
the divine Patti, before whom she
played in Omaha at a luncheon given
the divi, who was enthusiastic in her
expressions of delight and gave Miss
Stevens a cordial invitation to visit her
at Craig-y- Nos Castle.
Unlike most musicians, Neatly
Stevens seems not TO have one tinge of
professional jealousy. She speaks with
enthusiasm of her sister pianists, and
during the entire conversation did not
give vent to one spiteful or ill-natured
criticism. In speaking of Mr.. Bagby's
"Some Pupils of Lizt,n in the March
Century, she referred to Adile Aus Der
Ohe
"Adile and | were close friends. See,
here is a note from her" showing the
little billet. She was the most simple
and unassuming of girls, considering
her phenomenal ability. She was in
tensely Interested in America and there
seemed something prophetic in her love
for our country, as she has made such q
great and pronounced success hero. Her
playing is wonderful. She is musician
as we'll as composer"
Her manner in speaking of Nine.
Bloomfield-Zeisler's qualities was
marked with the same gentle justice.
Miss Stevens is a western girl and has
made Chicago her home for several
years. She has played in all the large
cities of the west, and has
made an unquestioned success at each
being all that could be desired by the
most ambitious. She travelled one
season with Nine. Materna to the Paci-
fic coast and created q furore wherever
she appeared. She is very young and
has, without doubt, a great future be-
fore her. She plays with great brill
liancy and dash. Her conception is
artistic and poetic, her style self-con-
tanned, her tone magnetic. Moreover,
she has no unpleasant affections and is
thoroughly sincere and painstaking.
She has appeared once~this season at
the Madison Street theater, and will be
heard there again at the Artists club
performance March 81.
Apl I uyin v,la for ~ id
this obliging little lady as our inter-
view drew to a close. She seated her.
self at the grand piano and dashed off
number after number of Liszt, Chopin
Moszkowski, Arthur, Foote, and other
composers with spirit and poetic con-
ception seldom equalled by a young
pianiste. AS leaned back in my chair
and closed my eyes to listen in
| perfect content there rose before Inc
a vision OF memory. l saw an enormous
building-on one side great hill GOV.
cred with trees and shrubbery. A
| glorious June sky bent over me and soft
airs played about me. On the velvet
| grass lay group of happy-faced girls in
lazy satisfaction. All had books, but
they were not studying, for from the
| chapel windows above them came the
strains of the Rhapsodie Hongroise No
2.-"Stevie" was practiclng, and there
was no study when Vassar's pet musi
clan was at the piano. And then the
day when she was playing a difficult
concerto at concert and the string
broke in the piano and she could moi
finish. How we cheered her as she re.
tired in confusionl All me! other times
other manners. To-day she is q full
fiedged artist and / am interviewing
her.