The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-05
Musical Gossip.

r RITZ KREISLER. the violinist, WHO scored
- such pronounced triumph at the armory
Thursday evening, was entertained after
the concert by Mr.. Theodore lIembergcr,
Mr.. Richard II. Weisenlue, Mr.. Fred Widmaycr
and Mr.. Frank OHala, members of the Syln.
phony orchestra. MIR. Krcsler proved himself
quite as interesting and entertaining in conversa.
! tion, As he is digniicd. manly and impressive in
his violin playing. Modesty and salfeffaccmcu:
are his dominant traits in conversation. He sci.
dom, if ever refers to his wonderful achievements
as II vionist. rs a pianist, composer. for
in either OF these directions he is considered re.
markablc. ~ am called Il Bohemian" he said,
''but my father was hungarian and my mother
a Bohemian. was born in Vienna, Austria,
twenty y.seren years ago. ! was graduated from a
German gymnasium, or seminary, and completed
| my education in Paris. My home is in Vienna,
where | shall be in about six weeks. You know
am in the Austrian army and am compelled to
serve one month OF each year in the cavalry,
but enjoy 1t immensely, for its a relaxation to
ride horse eight or ten hours day. play ten.
mis-, drill, hunt swim, and then its not hard,
for ] am an officer; OF course, ! play for them
in the evening, for they fine fellows. It's a
little hard to take orders from little fellow who
happens to be your senior officer, hut make the
best Of il, for | enjoy open air exercise OF any
kind No, didn't play we'll tonight, for am
firing Of the routine have given sixty cen.
| ccrs and rccitals this season, and in the first
twenty ] did not repeat single number. and
gave seven recitals in Boston without repeating
one number. ] like Boston, for there you can
play the best music written for the violin. !
played the six Bach fuges in Boston, and oil,
they wonderful; the notes Of Beethoven and
Bach look 20 simpe-a boy could read then,-but
I'm very nervous before I begin 10 play Bach
Beethoven, for to give an Interpretation Of either
! of these masters taxes me to tho utmost, I wish
! conld have played the Bruch concerto or
Bach f,iguc for you tonight for feel better-for
the effort they require is eneryatng. The Kneisel
Quartettte? oh. they are supreme; they have no
equals in the world-that is In conservative
| sense. We have quartettes in Europe whose play.
ins Is more spirted--but give me the kneisels.
think the Boston orchestra superb-but Gelicke
Il don't know why, but the Chicago band Inn
pressed me greatly; perhaps on account OF the
grand hall they have. The Philadelphia orchestra
will beat them all in two years. Watch them.
Fritz Shecl Is doing wonders with them. kube.
lik? Yes, he Is great boy; he is young, yon
know, and gives great promise ! consider his
teacher at Prague the greatest living ! don't
believe this talk OF his having made SlOO,OOO this
season. I know that I have not earned that
amount, and know what can be earned. | shall
take home $4,000 for the season. | am engaged
to play in forty concerts in Russia next season.
NO, ! shall not return to America for three or
four years. can make more money here, hut II
Is not for money that play altogether; must
play in my own county, money or no money.
am having things very nice now, for You know
Josef Hoffman, the pianist; Gerardy, the 'cellist,
and myself have boen together a great deal OF
late, playing trios. ! wish YOU could hear us;
think it would be very interesting, because our
tcmperaments are so different, YOU know Ilon'
man is cold and careful while Gerardy and my
self are inclined TO he inpulsive. Oh, We have
gcat times. ! call then the "kids,' for ] am
older than either. Gerardy Is 26 aud Hoffman 81.
We studied together abroad and are old chums.
Hoffman will make great man. and consider
Gerardy the greatest living 'cellist. You should
see him use the bow tell all the yiolinists TO go
and see his wonderful bowing. Your audience to-
night was quite domonstratvc, but not as bad as
the New Workers; they are awful played upon