The record-union., 1899-04-07
Student Life
In Europe.


To the Saturday Club-Greeting II
is pleasure to comply with the re-
quest of Mrs. Elkus to write a paper on
student life in Berlin and Paris. 1 re-
gret that the time is too limited to treat
the subject as / Should like and as it
deserves. However, 1 shall endeavor
to give a glimpse into life in the music
world, and will be more than satisfied
If my words can bring the. least inspir-
alton to any discouraged student
Paris is essentially the home of the
vocal student. The piano student soon
realizes he is out of place. He finds no
inspiration there, other than what
comes from within. his own interest
and ambition, and, of course, the ad-
vantage of a good teacher.
Paris has eminent teachers, but the
French school has a distinct style of its
own Paris also possesses good rep
resentative of the Leschetizky school of
piano playing. When one considers the
dearth of good piano concerts in COM
parison with other places, and the great
loss of time in getting about it is not
strange that the earnest piano student
soon turns his footsteps from beautiful.
fascinating Paris toward Germany, the
Mecca of all musicians
While both Dresden and Leipsic- offer
excellent musical advantages yet it is
conceded that without doubt Berlin oc-
cupies the first place in the musical
world. Then it Isl not surprising to find
the students of music congregated here
from all parts of the world. There is
inspiration in the very air. One soon
ceases to wonder why the Germans are
musicians. How could it be otherwiseo
1t is as natural as for the Italians, with
their wonderful galleries and mountain
of carrara marble, to be sculptors The
German is familiar from childhood with
the operas and all the great compost
tions for orchestra. violin and piano.
Berlin is the home of many of the
worlds greatest artists and can boast
of many eminent teachers: Barth
Raiff, Rudolph of the Hoch Schue
Ooyal High SCHOOL,, Busoni, Jedliezka
Seharwenka
How could one live in such a musi-
cal atmosphere and not become en-
thusiastic?
Student life is any thing but monoto-
nous. In fact, it is constant excite
ment and one often feels the necessity
OF suppressing ones enthusiasm. First
come the lessons with a great teacher
which in themselves are a never. fail
ing delight. We Americans come over
with such advanced. modern ideas that
we think Czerny ''old fashioned" How
ever, we are quite modest about ex-
pressing our opinions, and about the
first lesson We find ourselves lin style"
for all the eminent teachers of Europe
teach Czerny, and are very particular
about the way it is played. Thorough
a avg n
mans express it, plenty of fish and
meat first
In addition to my own lessons, / often
have the pleasure of attending some
other pupils lesson. by invitation of
Professor Barth. Such lessons are a.
benefit to both parties, but frequently
doubtful pleasure to the performer,
however much advantage in ~instilling
self possession, so necessary to the
pianist.
One daily comes in contact with stu
dents from all parts of the world I
attended rather unique recital last
evening at Professor Barth's home. The
players represented six countries-Rus-
STA, Poland, Germany, Austria, America
and England. The little girl and boy
from Russia and Poland are prodigies
Young Rubenstein al years ODD bids
fair to be worthy successor to the IL
lustrfous artist whose name he bears.
1t is marvellous to hear a child of his
years play a Bach suite and a Men,
delssohn concerto with the ease and
style of an artist
The American students are especially
favored in Berlin. What was originally
the Girls Club has broadened into the
American Women's Club. under the pa
tronage of the ladies of the American
colony. Mrs. White, wife of our EN-.
bassador, is the President of the club.
and is very earnest in her efforts to do
all she can for its success. Both EN-
bassador White and his wife are inter-
ested in the student life in Berlin and
encourage the students to call and tell
OF their plans and ambitions.
The club has attractive rooms with
good library at the disposal of mem
bers. Once a week a reception is given
from to g. and all Americans are
made welcome; so there is little danger
of forgetting the mother tongue.
One soon finds oneself with a large
circle OF acquaintances. 1t has it's ad-
yantages in that you meet those study
ing with different teachers and an ex-
change of opinions is always of benefit.
We are never forced to resort to the
topic for conversation-the weather.
The first question is usually, What
part of America do you come from. if
l may aslI?" followed by the inevitable
of course you are studying music !:
with whom?" It was quite the sensa-
ton for moment the novelty of one
girls reply, who said she was here "ab-
solutely without excuse One could
better understand the reply of the girl
from Boston who told me she came
to rest but was studying vocal and
instrumental music and German
The concertsl How shall I give vou
a faint idea of their influence ,,pon the
student?
Everybody recognizes that one Of the
Chief advantages of foreign study Isl the
opportunity to hear good music and
certainly Berlin affords every oppor-
tunity in that direction There are not
days enough in the year for the concert
givers, the artists and debutantes are
so numerous. Hence every day there
is not one, but many concerts, and one
marvels that there are always crowds
to attend. I have noticed as MANY as
b. forty concerts advertised for one week.
and that does not include grand opera.
which may be heard every night in the
year, If the pocketbook permits and one
so desires
The student early realizes the neces-
sity to discriminate in concert going
and confine himself to large extent to
his particular line
During the season most of the great