The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-07-19
Llszr AND THE cYPsIss.
weird Music ny Roumanlsns for the Bsss-
nt Of the Great Maestro.

When Franz List was staying at tho
Castle Basiii Aicxandris. In Mircesci.
he expressed wish 10 hear Roumanian
gypsy music, and his friendly host en-
gagged a band of gypsies 10 come. They
were gypsies from Jaffa and their lead
er was called Barbu Lantsr. All the
band wore n sort of kattans. which
wcre belted girdies. They also wore
caps of sheepskin aud on their feet
they had sandals.
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 tho host had them served
with champagne as greeting Then
Barbu gave sign by pointing with his
first fingers OF his right hand. and inn
mcdiately there resounded n strangely
peculiar music through the hall. The
instruments consisted of iiddles. futes
and the cobza, the strings OF which
were beaten with drumsticks. Al first
they PLAYED national march. After
IL was flushed the Roumanian Bojars.
who were present. full OF enthusiasm.
threw gold pieces into the old mans
cup. while they called Drink. Borbu
Lautar; drink master!" And the old
leader slipped his wine. while he kept
the gold pieces in his mouth.
After that followed gypsy melody.
The whole melancholy OF the Steppes
breathed from this piece. when sud-
denly the song was interrupted by
shrill cry of lamentation, then the IN
strument stormed away in a wild
presfissimo. like regiment OF cavalry
passing over TO an attack.
List was completely enchanted by
the wonderful performance of the mn-
steal vagabonds. of whom none knew
a note. and when at the close all broke
out In applause. he. too, went up TO old
Barbu. thew gold pieces into his cup
and drank TO his health. Then he
said: you have now made me ac-
quainted with your music; you shall
also hear mine"
With these words the great virtuoso
seated himself nj the pianoforte while
every one listened eagerly and all
noise ceased. After n short prelude
the master improviscd Hungarian
march. whose broad melody he adroned
most wonderfully with trills and ar
self on the tune and to forget every
thing around him. II was felt that he
sought TO give vent to his excitement
which was called forth by the gypsy
performance. With fantastical swift
ness his fingers flew over the keys, and
always again rcsounded the vibrating
melody OF the march through the cas-
cades OF sounds The hearers seemed
spellbound. and hardly dared To
breathe. Old Barbu stared with wide
open eyes at the player, and not u note
escaped him.
When the storm Of applause had
subsidized. which had broken out by
this improvisation. the old leader too
went up TO List with glass of cham
payne i'm his hand and said: Nov il is
my turn. master, TO beg YOU TO drink
with meln While the great artist
knocked his glass against the one held
by the gypsy, he said: We'll Barbu,
what say you TO this melody" 1T Is
pretty. MASTER replied the old leader.
IL would like TO try and produce IL, il
you will allow il.
List smiled somewhat doubtfully,
but nodded an assent. Then Lautar
turned TO his orchestra. popped his
fiddle up to his chin and played tho
Hungarian march. No trill. no arpeg-
gio, and none ofthe other ornamentings
of the melody were wanting. Note for
note Barbu reproduced the improvisa-
ton of the piano player on the violin.
His orchestra accompanied him, all the
members keeping their eyes on their
leader and following the low 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 enraptured:
"Barbu, you are truly an artist of
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