The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-22
oREGON's NEW CONCERT MASTER.
A Wagner Disciple settles Ina the
City of Portland.

Gustavus Muller, the new concert mas
ter OF the Portland symphony orchestra.
has had a remarkable musical experience.
having PLAYED under all the famous con-
dactors OF Europe. and many OF the great
composers besides. during the first produc-
ton of their works Wagner Idszt.
Brahms, Won Bulow. Humperdinck
Strauss. Tschaikowsky, Dvorak Anton
Seidl Theodore Thomas and host of
others
For "a considerable time he lived In the
same house with Wagner at Baireuth and
he has many interesting stories to tell OF
the great master. who was very eccentric
In his habits He used to walk In tho gar
den clothed in theatrical costume: one day
1t would be velvet he preferred. for he
maintained that the touch Of velvet
brought him certain musical ideas: anoth-
er day IL was silk that he needed to infiu-
ence his inspiration. He was very sensi-
tive TO matters OF this sort and very ex-
citable in temperament Whenever mu-
steal idea came TO him. no matter where
he happened to be. or IN what company,
he would burst out singing Justify
On the approach OF a thunder storm he
opened all the windows 10 his apartments.
and, sitting down AT the piano, impro-
yised a fantasia to the accompaniment Of
the storm. whistling as he did So for he
was an exceptionally fine whistler In
this way was produced much OF his storm
Dutchman."
The following story IS told for the con-
ISOLATION Of violin players, who have ex-
perienced difficulty In Wagn~risn music:
Once Wagner was present at a rehearsal,
and was busy giving directions 20 the
stage manager. when he happened 10
overhcar some violin players making fran
tic efforts TO get In every note OF certain
exceedingly hard passages In the opera
lie came forward 10 the footlights and
said TO the disheartencd violin players:
why do YOU break your fingers trying
TO get In every note of that passage VIII
helmJ himself cannot play IL as 81 Is writ
ten. That ought to end the matter l
did not write that passage with view
to having every note In u played All
that is necessary Is TO produce n vague,
underlined noise as Of the wind rustiing
the leaves " the forest"
Wilhenj. by the way. was Mr. Muner's
godfather. and helped TO decide him upon
his career OF music. That was when he
was II years old. During four years prev
ious TO that. "a a young bey he had been
a member OF the Heidelberg orchestra.
for Heidelberg was his early home HIS
father being professor IN the fieidei-
berg university. position he atill fills
In recent visit 10 Heidelberg he was
again a member OF the same orchestra,
which had meantime become Increased TO
fel players. n now enjoys the distinction
Of being selected 30 play the new cornpo-
sition- 81 al the great composers ~ tho
day under their personal leadership
After studYink sith Ferp Waiter Ia Nh
mich a yasr. Mr.. Muller pursued his
studies In Berlin under the great
Joachim. ana from there went "a Wei
mar as a pupil Of conceFtmaster August
koempel, a disciple of spshr soon join
ing the Wagner thester under Anton
seldL After being coucertmaster Tor three
wears nt FreiburE. in the Black Forest r'
he came 20 America as second concert
master ia Thomas orchestra and with
him came Ia the rRCiHe coast In San
Francisco he Joined the Pike Orefa Com.
rauy travelling with them three wears.
IA Xxx be settled in Portland entered the
army in Vancouver. went 90 Germany for
a few years and upon BIS retprn to ore
gon ioiued tire Second Oregon troops in
the Spauiah-Anerscau war For ghs fu-
fuFs he expects 20 make his home IN Port
land which is fortunate ia having s. *
perieuced aud capable musician Tor the
eoneertnaster Of its symphony orrhss-
ira New York Times