Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-05-28
. LIST AND THE. oYPslEs.
Il weird Music Which Enchanted md Sur
prised the Great Maestro.

Weird Music Which Enchanted and Sur.
prised the Great Maestro.
When Franz Liszt was staying at the
Castle Bastli Alcxandris, in Mircesci,
ne expressed wish to hear Roumanian
gypsy music, and his friendly host en-.
gagged band Of Gypsies to come. They
were Gypsies from Jaffa and their.
leader was called Barbu Lautar. All
the band wore sort Of kaftans, which
were belted girdles. They also wore
caps Of sheep-skin and on their feet
they had sandals.
4 When they were brought into the hall,
where there was numerous company
assembled, each one laid his hand on his
heart and bowed deeply, upon which the
host had them served with champagne as
q greeting. Then Barbu gave sign by
pointing with the flrst fingers Of his
right hand, and immediately there re-
sounded strangely peculiar music
through the hall. The instruments con.
sisted OF fddles, flutes and the cobza,
the strings Of which were beaten with
drumsticks. At first they played q
national march. After it was finished
the Roumanian Bojars, who were pres
emit, 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
breathed from this piece, when sudden
ly the song was interrupted by shrill
cry of lamentation, then the instrument
stormed 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 none knew
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:
"You have now made me acquainted
with your music; you shall also hear
NINE"
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
improvised Hungarian march, whose
broad melody he adorned most wonder
fully with trills and arpeggios. He
seemed to intoxicate himself on the tune
and to forgot every thing around him.
1t was felt that he sought to give vent
to his excitement which was called
forth BY the Gypsy performance With
fantastical swiftness his fingers few
over the keys, and always again re.
sounded the vibrating melody of the
march through the cascades of sounds.
The hearers seemed spell-bound, 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 List with glass of champagne in
his hand and said: Nov it is my turn,
master, to beg you to drink with mew
While the great artist knocked his
glass against the one held ny the
Gypsy. he said: well, Barbu, what
say you to this melody?" ut is pretty,
master, - replied the old leader. II
would like,to Try to produce it,,it you
will allow .'I -, ,,;'a 153!,:3a , '.. D:
List smiled somewhat. dolub sfull t,,:
but nodded an assent Then ,Iautar
turned O TO his, orchestra, :zpropped
his fiddle up to his chin sQd
played the Hungarian march. No
trill no arpeggio| and! none of
the other "a. ornamen tings :. 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
'nm1embers' 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 Liszt sprang UP, clasped the
old fellow stormily in his arms and
called out, completely enraptured:
'.Barbu, YOU are, truly. an artist Of Gods
mercy"-Ueber Land und Meer. al q; q