The age-herald., 1902-04-02

and seated herself far away from the piano and
 Of course she is just the same Edna Gockel that everybody adored when she went to Berlin two years ago. Even two years in German pension" and Schar- wenka and Wagnen opera every night have not the power to make any radical change in the heart of an American girl. When the time comes for her to give it up. when she finds herself at home once more when she looks again into the old familiar faces Berlin and Bayeuth and all the rest of it fade away and she would not give the world for moment of joy that is hers at being home once more.
 Tt is so good to be back again" Miss Gockel was saying delightedly.
 'I had the opportunity of remaining longer in Berlin" she went on, but I could never be contented to live there, as would have been the case had I &C., cepted position that was offered me to teach in the conservatory of music. I could not think of spending my life away from my own country.
 "Of course it is delightful to study in Germany. There are advantages there that are not provided elsewhere and that give to Berlin particularly prestige not enjoyed by other cities
 There I met students from all parts of the world. There were several Austra- Han girls in the Conservatory, while America was of course largely represent ed. There were great many Western women, far more than from the South or East
 What does an American girl do after reaching Berlin? Well, I should say that she spends her time making herself un- derstood and selecting her pension.
 T could not speak German and the woman who kept the pension could not speak English, and consequently we had difficulty In arriving at the same conclu- sions.
 There are so many music students In Berlin that the pension keepers have them in their power, and no music stu dent is ever allowed the luxury of a front room. She Is forced to take a back room, but has to pay the same price as charged for front apartment.
 Then you know there is another rule in Burlin made especially for students of music. No one Is allowed to practice be- tween the hours of and o'clock in the afternoon. because every one is suppos- eu lo WALL lO sleep at tildI lifle. I0lS has made the dumb piano necessary, and increased the popularity of the Virgil sys- tenn.
 This system was invented by an Ameri- can and has come to be invaluable to the student of music It Is a system of physical culture and develops every muscle in the hand. Where, as Is so often the case, the muscles of the little finger are very weak, by the Virgil method every muscle may be gradually strength ened until no finger Is stronger than the other
 This is considered extremely importane for in playing scale each note must be distinct. The scale must be, as they say in Burlin, as perfect as string of pearls, where every pearl is the same size''
 'Is it difficult to get into a class at the conservatory?" I asked Miss Gockell.
 Not difficult to get into the conserva- tory,"i she said, but very difficult to secure the teacher one prefers. It depends very much upon the mood of the teacher and whether one is frightened or not; these are the two things that decides ones fate.
 "A pupil is usually asked to play by sight and to answer few questions on the general knowledge of music, and that is all. But this Is where ones form CT training receives a test. Fortunately l was admitted at once to Scharwenka' S class, and from my own experience and judging from what was told me. I am sure that no American girl was ever better trained to enter the conservatory at Berlin than myself"
 Miss Gockel's tribute to her old mas ter MT. Guckenberger was very sincere.
 In Berlin Miss Gockel studied piano with Xaver Scharwenka and compost tion with Philipp Scharwenka. She had her score lessons from William Berger. In addition to this she attended lectures on Scharwenkas methods. Then there were the extra lessons in chamber music.
 Miss Gockel in referring to her favorite composers said that when she first went to Berlin she preferred Wagner.
 'I wanted nothing but Wagner" she said No other music contented me. If there was not a Wagnerian opera at the theatre. why then I would not go. At Bayreuth I had Wagner to my hearts content, and then my tastes changed. did not care for this fiery, emotional composer.
 "Then followed my Beethoven and Men delssohn days. Nothing but Beethoven or Mendelssohn, with perhaps Schubert or Chopin. Then there was a vacation in favor of Wagner.
 These days it is mostly Chopin or Schubert. and of course Scharwenka."
 One could follow Miss Gockel's moods as she was speaking
 Miss Gockel will remain in Birmingham through the summer. Next winter she will make a concert tour under the di- rection of New York manager.
 Her debut as pianist with the Thomas Orchestra at the Musical Festival next Monday evening will give her a prestige that few American girls enjoy. She will give as a solo Scharwenka's Concerto recent composition of this great master. It has only been played once in this coun- try Miss Gockel studied 1t with the old master himself.
 What a wonderfully dramatic moment it will be when she plays Scharwenka' s masterpiece on the opening night of the festival. But 1t will be the string of