Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-05-28
LIST AND THE GYPSiEs.
"c'r" music Which Enchanted and Sur
prlNed the Great Maestro.

"e'r' Music Which Enchanted and Sur.
pri"ed tire Great Maestro.
"hcn Franz List was staying at the
oastle Basili Aloxandris, in Mircesci,
NO expressed wish to hear Roumanian
gypsy music, and his friendly host en-
gascd band OF Gypsios to come. They
were Gypsios from Jaffa and their
loader was called Barbu Lautar. All
the band wore a sort OF kaftans, which
were beltod girdles. They also wore
caps OF shoep-skin and on their feet
they had sandals.
When they were broughtinto the hall,
where there was numerous company
assembled, each one laid his hand on his
heart and bowed deeply, upon which tho
host had them served with champagne as
greeting. Then Barbu gave sign by
pointing with the first fingers Of his
right hand, and Immediately there re-
sounded strangely peculiar music
through the hall. The instruments con-
sisted Of Addles, flutes and the cobza,
the strings Of which were beaten with
drumsticks. At first they played a
national march. After it was finished
the Roumanian Bojars, who were pres
cnt, full OF enthusiasm, threw gold
pieces into the old mans cup, while
they called "Drink, Barbu Lautar;
drink, master!" And the old leader
slipped his wine, while he kept the gold
pieces in his mouth.
natter that followed Gypsy melody.
The whole melancholy Of the steppes
brcathed from this piece, when sudden
ly the song was interrupted by a shrill
cry OF lamcntation, then the instrument
stormcd away in wild prestissimo,
like regiment OF lcavalry passing over
to an attack.
Lizst was completely enchanted by
tho wonderful performance of the mu-
steal vagabonds, of whom mono knew a
note, and when at the close all broke
out in applause, he, too, went up to old
Barbu, threw gold pieces into his cup
and drank to his health. Then he said
"Iou have now made mo acquainted
with your music; you shall also hear
mine"
With these words the great virtuoso
seated himself at the pianoforte, while
every one listened eagerly and all noise
ceased. After a short prelude the master
improviscd Hungarian march, whose
broad melody he adorned most wonder
fully with trills and arpeggios. He
seemed to intoxicatc himself on the tune
and to forget every thing around him.
1t was felt that he sought to give vent
fn AZ
forth BY the Gypsy performance. With
fantastical swiftncss his fingers flew
over the keys, and always again re-
sounded the vibrating melody of the
march through the cascades of sounds
The hearers seemed spellbound. and
hardly dared to breathe. Old Barbu
stared with wide-open eyes at the player
and not note escaped him.
When the storm Of applause had sub
sided, which had broken out by this i'm
provisation. the old leader, too, went up
to Liszt with a glass of champagne il,
his hand and said: Nov it is my turn,
master, to beg you to drink with mcr'
glass against the one held hy the
gypsy, ne SalO: ''Nell, l}arDu, what
say you to this melody" 1T is pretty,
master" replied the old leader. Il
would like to try to produce it, ii you
will allow it."
Liszt smiled somewhat doubtfully,
but nodded an assent Then Lautar
turned to his orchestra, propped
his fiddle up to his chin and
played tho Hungarian march. No
trill, no arpeggio and none of
the other ornamentings of the
melody were wanting. Note for note
Barbu reproduced the improvisation of
the piano-player on his violion. His
orchestra accompanied him, all the
members keeping their eyes on their
old leader and following the blending
which his bow indicated as though led
by instinct When the last sound had
died away List sprang up, clasped the
old fellow stormily in his arms and
called out, completely cnrapturcd:
"Barbu, you are truly an artist of Gods
mcrcy!'-Ucbcr Land unl Nicer.