The San Francisco call., 1899-06-04
EMIL SAUER AND THE PlAN0LA
THE GREAT VIRTUOSO PREDICTS
A FUl URE FOR THE AGE
END PIANO PLAYER.
The Famous Pianist Visits the Ware
rooms of the Aeolian Company
to Hear the Pianola.

Mr.. Sauer, accompanied by Mr.. Ernest
Knabe, Mr.. William Knabe and Mr.. Vic
tor Thrane, after listening to and playing
the Pianola submitted to an interview
which is accurately reported as follows:
"It is really wonderful 1 can freely say
the Pianola gives me more pleasure than
1 have had from thousands of so-called
treats of pianistic effort.
81 have heard great many musical in
ventions, but the Pianola is the first
which has a reason for existing.
"It is sure to have a future. This is my
candid opinion. You know an artist often
has to assist a struggling brother with
words of praise a little exaggerated, but
in this case it is different. When / say
that the Pianola has a musical future L
am talking about something L really be-
lieve in.
1T plays La Campanella' of List, and
other pieces which call primarily for tech
nical evenness, in really good style and
with a technique fairly astonishing. No
pianist could approach 1t.
"Of course in romantic or sentimental
music in what l should call erotic; music,
it must be less satisfactory, as the per-
sonality or individuality of the player
counts for so much more In music OF this
class.
l want you to send one to my home in
Dresden. Here is a card which gives my
address: Hahnelstrasse 8, Dresden, Ger
many AS soon as it arrives l shall give
a reception to all the best musical people
No musician can help admiring it" -
Do you think there is anything to be
said about It's uSe1ulnesS 70 musicians musicians ,II anu
composers and for musical purposes gen.
orally?
deal to be said. Why, it will be of prac-
teal service to me, and | fully intend to
employ it in that way. You see, L often
have to practice a piece for two weeks
and get 1t we'll under my hands before
can tell whether not L can create an
effect with it Sometimes I find that no
satisfactory effect can be produced, and
so lose my time and labor, For it is La:
bor Now, the Pianola would tell me this
in two minutes.
Mr.. Sauer was much pleased with the
planned that the ''Espenlaub,' could not
be played rapidly enough. 1t was then
tried on another instrument with faster
motor and played at correct tempo: H3.,rros
de Vent ;" added Mr.. Sauer, "and also
my 'Galop de Concert They ought to be
just the things to be enectiTUe: Uotoq 10Y fS alSo
TASTE, 1slamei' 1t is a horribly difficult
work, but the Pianola would play 1t beau
Mr.. Sauer was asked what he thought
about the usefulness of the instrument to
composers.
aid the cause of the composer" he re-
piled 'in disseminating a knowledge OF
his music. AS 1t is now, hundreds OF mer-
itorious compositions cannot get near
about them. Some of these pieces get one
hearing But that is not enough. Real
music to be appreciated must be heard
again and again.
Before leaving Mr. Sauer expressed his
appreciation again, congratulating the
company for having produced the first
successful musical invention, and added,
humorously, You American inventors
will xiii our profession The artists of the
future will have hard time of it. In ten
years there will be no more virtuosi: No
player can do what that instrument has
/ just done. 1t is not possible.
on Sunday afternoon a representative
of the Aeolian Company played for Mr..
Sauer in his rooms at the Hotel savoy
! and strengthened the impressions of the
| previous day.
| Statement of Emil Sauer:
Il have examined all the pages Of this
article with care, With some alterations
with my recollection of the interview. AT
any rate it expresses my views with ac-
| curacy." (Stgned) EMIL SAOER.
! New York. May %. 1899.
The Pianola is for sale by the agents,
Kohler & Chase, IS and 30 OFarrell
! street.