Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-19
LIFE OF A PIANIST.
SKETCH OF MORIZ RosENTHAI'
WHO PLAYS HERE SATURDAY.
he WAS AN INFANT PRODIGY.
A Pupil of Joseny-He is nm Athlete
ms Well as Scholar md Artist-Can
Also Play Pokcr-Practfces Eight
Hours Daily.
Hours Daily,

The coming of Rosenthsl next Saturday
is looked forward to with the keenest an
ticipation by the musical people Of this
city. Not for many years has the artistic
atmosphere been so stirred az in the
present instance. and the great pianist
will undoubtedly receive a rousing recep-
ton. The advance sale of seats will open
at o'clock tomorrow morning al the
store of Messrs. Walter d. Moses e Co.
on east Main street, and there IS every
reason to believe that it will be something
phenomenal before Saturday night.
This concert, which carries with II
very large guarantee, is distinctly home
enterprise, for It has been arranged and
the expense has been undertaken by Mr.
Walter d. Moses. who was also instru-
mental in bringing Paderewsh. and later
Madame Nordica, TO this city.
A SKETCH OF ROSENTHAL.
Moriz Rosenthal IS n rare example Of
the endurance of young manhood. He
was barely In his 4th year when he first
began TO show unmistakable signs OF his
destined calling, and at the age of he
walked all the way from Lemberg his
native place. to Vienna, to call upon
Josery. The latter received him with
some amusement at first. but after hrar-
| ing the boy play ne became convinced or
| his real merit, and willingly undertook
| his tuition. AlikuU was ROsenthafs first
| teacher. When only 10 years old he made
his initial appearance I'm public with his
master, performing Chopn's Ronde in
1 -. u
| family determined 10 settle in Vienna,
Rosenthal placed himself altogether IN
der the tuition OF Joseffy. The work he
did at that time would have wrecked the
constitution Of a strong man, for BESIDES
| practicing on the piano for six and seven
| hours a day. he was also a student OF
| the University of Vienna. Philosophy and
| phiology were the subjects that interest
ed him most. lie passed his maturity"
examination, and went 70 the lectures or
/ Zimmerman, Brentane. and Hanslick, CD
| tanning the degree Of NJ. a. with the
highest honors OF his subsequent re-
turn to the concert stage in 1882 and his
long line Of unbroken successes in all
parts OF Austria, Germany, Russia, and
Great Britain, there is no need to dwell,
as they are familiar subjects to all who
| follow the course Of musical events.
FIRST VISIT TO AMERICA.
In 1883 Rosenthal gave over one hum
dred rectals in America, with the most
/ satisfactory results, but he was then not
| the broad finished artist he IS to-day,
| and those who hear him now VIII notice
| a perceptible difference i'm his playing.
RosenthaPs strong personality Is OF the
most pleasing description. He fairly gloWs
! with magnetism, and the result is that
! he invariably makes friends wherever he
| goes. He is exceedingly witty I'm CONVEX
| sation, and, unlike most musicians, his
range Of subjects is not confined to his
art alone. lie has marvellous retentive
| powers, as is proven by his enormous
/ repertory. The great pianist is especially
/ fond Of Heine and It is related of him
/ that he can complete any one Of the
| great authors poems If the first line Is
| quoted.
a TRENCHANT WRITER.
Rosenthal also Yields a trenchant pen,
and his style is crisp. caustic, and con-
vincing lie has numerous polomics with
| critics like Hanslick and Heinrich
Enrich, and always comes out victorious.
In the case Of Enrich. it was more or less
disastrous for the latter, for he was com
PEELED to resign the position he held on a
Berlin paper. Rosenthal also contributed
10 all the prominent reviews, and IN con-
junction with Ludwig Schytte, the Danish
composer he has written a book on tho
technique of the piano that has been
! translated into nearly every language.
Rosenthals home life is especially in
teresting. lie spends a great deal OF his
time in Vienna and Ischl but # is at his
charming little house at Abazzio. near
Trieste, that one sees him at his best. II
is situated in a very picturesque spot. and
D. altogether an ideal retreat for an ar
fist. There he gives eight to ten hours
daily 10 practice. lie is an early riser,
and after taking his maturinal plunge he
Immediately proceeds 20 his instrument.
Seated I'm a comfortable chair, he receives
visitors, chats. and transacts his business
without even allowing his fingers to wan
der away from the keyboard
A GOOD POKER-PLAYER
Rosenthars moments Of recreation are
spent at Billiards. This he varies with
the American game Of poker, at which
ne is quite proficient. tie learned the
latter during his first visit 10 America,
and has since introduced 1t all over
Vienna. lie is really and sincerely &C.
lighted 20 return 10 this country, and he
wrote 10 Mr. WolfsOhn repeatedly before
his arrival that he will enjoy the present
trip much more for he now speaks Eng
fish quite huenty. lie has been en-
gagged To- appear before an the prominent
musical organizations of this country in
Guiding Sew York Philharmonic. Boston
SYMPHONY Chicago symphony, end
others.
Rosenthal win be heard mostly in Ie-
citais in the leading cities lis Iro- /
grammcs Will include "a number of lis /
own compositions. some OF which will bee I
heard iu each o. his rectals, such as his /
"contrapuntal study on Chopin's d fat /.
Valse." and also his "Carneyal de Wen |
ra." ON themes by John Strauss All in I
aH. Rosenthal is likely 20 prove the most /
interesting figure of this years musical |
season.