The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-03

work very hard at the beginning TO insure
anything like success, but think it speaks
we'll for the people here that twenty-eight
concerts should have been prosperous.
"Times have changed wonderfully in
late years." continued Mr.. Beel reflect
lively. 1.-The people here are really musi-
cal, although until recent years they
have scarcely had the opportunity TO de-
velop their tastes in that direction. When
was boy it was impossible TO get first
class violin lessons. Why? Well, l think
people were looking more for gold DUST
than tor anything else. They did not de-
vote much time co developing their latent
taste for music"
other young CalifornianS who are begin
ming 10 make a name in the musical world,
seems to have stnd led in spite of obstacles.
He was born in North Oakland, and as a
boy devoted a great deal CT time to the
violin, although his parents intended him
to follow medical career. Indeed, Sig
mund Beel matriculated at the State Uni
versity and studied there for two years,
but fually resolved to abandon his col
legiate studies and devote his life entirely
to music.
liz was toward Germany that he turned
his steps when he made this resolution, for
as every one knows, Germany is the home
of Joachim, the master among the violin
lists of the age. In Munich, Levy. the con-
ductor of the Bayreuth festivals, CHANGED
to hear the young Californian play, aud
was so charmed with his talent that lie i'm
mediately persuaded him to go TO the high
school In Berlin, with warm letter of
recommendation to Joachim, who directs
that celebrated institution.
Joachim was thoroughly satisfied with
Sigmund Beeps ability, and took him as
his own personal pupil for the violin. an
honor by no means conferred upon all tie
students IF the high school. In this COR
/ Ial a tmnanhRrR fNafif ia
plunged into hard study, supplement ting
| his violin lessons by instruction in theory
from Franz Schultz. in piano from Aexan-
| der Dorm, whose father was the teacher of
SchumanD. the famous composer. and by
attending Professor Spltta's musical lee
| lures.
When questioned respecting his student
lie in Berlin Mr.. Beel replied enthusiast til
cally: "Of course 1t was delightful 1t is
not alone the music heard that gives the
life its charm, but the fact of living n an
entirely artistic and musical world 1t
has always seemed to Ine such simple
sincere life that they had over there.
remember once when several OF us were
giving concert in the town of Potsdan.
We met the old pastor in the afternoon
when we were looking through the beauti-
fu memorial church. He promised to
come 10 our concert, aud in
the evening after the performance he
thanked us Tor the pleasure we had given
him by laying hand on each of our
heads and giving US his blessing. l think
we were all deeply impressed by the in
ciGent.
"But my pIeasan test recollection of stu
dent life is that of Joachm's fiftieth
anniversary as musician. 1t was great
day, for Joachim is adored by his pupils
and friends as well as by the public. All
of his old pupils came from far and near
to take part in the festivities Of his ami
| versary.
Years before Joachim had composed
two overtures, one to Hamlet and one to
Richard ILL They had never been per-
formed and he had them under lock and
key in his desk, and seemed, In fact, to
Ishaye forgotten their existence. The stu
dents found out about them, however, and
managed TO steal them without Joachim S
knowledge. Then they assembled an i'm
mense chorus and orchestra and rehearsed
them. with Vaidemar Bargiel as con-
| ductor.
ION the anniversary day all the students
and professors assembled in the hail of
the nigh school. The exercises opened
with a cantata by Bach, which J0ach I'M
conducted. Then Professor Spitta sur
| prISed the master by unwilling his bust
and presenting it to him in few we'll
chosen words Alter that we began to
/ perform Joachim overture, and l never
saw man so taken aback in my life.
i u opCCCn. VIZ Cdilcu Jul az IUc
end, but joachim was feeling SO affected
that he could scarcely utter word, though
he is very capable speaker on ordinary
! occasions. Then the student began TO cry,
| Play something and he took up the
nearest violin and played a chacOne of
| Bach as he had never in his life played
before. That smy happiest recollection of
| student life." concluded SignIund Beel.
"And how did the day end ?" was asked.
There was to be BANQUET il Joachim s
! house In the evening, and l suggested that
we should take the horses out of the cal
! rage and drag our master there ourselves.
| Such thing had never been heard of in
! Berlin, but the students caught on 20 the
idea. At the banquet johannes Brahms
presented him. in the name of his friends
| in Berlin. with $500. and the Emperor
sent bin a great gold medal for art and
science. 1t had never been presented to
any one since Spontini's time.
THAT Is Joachini's picture" said Mr..
Beel pointing to a large photograph that
hung over the piano in the mushroom of
his home on California street. "and that
picture in the corner" he added. lis
Il