The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-30


| where Mende1ssohn was then living. He
loved Nlcndclssohn's Music and wished
to meet him and obtain his autograph
| Mendelssohn received him with great
cordiality and not only gave him hts
autograph but added n chorus, in his own
Baynrd Taylor then relates that Moses
Mendelss'ohn. the celebrated Jewish phil
osopher, was his grandfather, and his
father now living, Is accustomed to say
that In his youth he was spoken OF as
the son Of the great Mendelssohn (thc
phlosopher); now he Is known as the
composer!'' Bayard Taylor then goes on
to speak Of the charming qualities Of
the great co mposer, Of his fine intellec-
tual face, etc.
Rubenstein.
In striking contrast to the pleasant way
in (which Mendelssohn received Bayard
Taylor. who was then unknown to fame,
shall record an episode ilD the career.
OF Rubenstein. DR.. William Mason tells
In his Musical Memories that on one
occasion a young lady came to him, and
handing him paper and pencil asked him
If he would kindly request Rubenstein for
his autograph after thc concert was over.
Mason did as requested for his lady
friend And what did Rubenstein do 7?
paper and pencil into the street! This
reminds me OF etory once read OF
Goethe. young student desired to meet
Goethe He called at the great poets
residence and sent UP his card. The
servant was told to show the young
man In When the student entered Goethe
sat perfectly still, never looking up, but
Quietly pursuing his work; the student
took the situation In and proved fully
equal to the occasion He stood In front
of the great man. cycling him CALMLY
walked on each side of him and took
good observations q him; went behind
and took a rear view. Then he got back
some distance, and STOPPING down, took
a view in that position. Then he walked
up to the table by which Goethe sat. took
out piece OF money, and placing It on
the table, departed, just as one would do
when he goes to look at some animal
on exhtbltlon And Goethe was served
just as he should have been. a man.
can never be too great or too busy to.
be polite. How l wish that that young
lady whom Rubcnstcn treated SO rudely
had been near when he threw her paper
and pencil out OF the window, and that
she could have given him rcbuke IKE
the student gave Goethe!
Gottschalk and Thalberg.
Gottschalk. the greatest pianist America
caS ever IEOuucsu, i!ut$ 1!lcEQ, q O1iS -
the most trlumphal public players OF
the world in his day. was born i! New
Orleans. He always created "a furore
with his "Banjo' piece, being compelled
on one occasion in Philadelphia to play.
1t three or four times at a concert.
Years ago Mr.. William Boiling. OF Viz
ginia, used to play this piece. There was
an old gentleman in the country that
was peculiarly effected by this piece
whenever he heard Mr.. Boiling play t..
lie liked It immensely and as the per-
former would reach The closing pa ges the
old gentleman would get 50 wrought UP
ne would jump up in the middle Of Inc
floor and shout with all his might in
a dellrium Of JOY.
When Thalbcrg played in Richmond
years ago a little girl, who had heard
people play his variations on Home
Sweet Home" (thc best. blythe way, that
have ever been written on that favor
ito old air), came down to hear him.
When he played Homo" the little girl
mistaken" The little girl is grown up
now, and ds living to-day IN Richmond !,
/ Thalbcrg's variations on the sweet
melody OF Lilly Dale" arc superb, but
very difficult A gentleman who heard
him play this piece tells me, that At re-
minded him very much OF aElittle plrd
up Il tree singing the melody, while some
one ullutIIlc8luL &c " aS tlSSH'1'p''''t''o -''N
little bird on a harp
Courlaender. .f
Before closing this article wish to pay
a brief tribute to BERNARD Courlaender,
who for many years was pianist TO the
King of Denmark, and considered tho
greatest pianist in that part OF the world.
beautiful, too fine, too artistic, TO be
forgotten, ZIG has leftifit%to me to re-
wise edit and bring them out again.
which, as soon as ] can find the time.
shall do with great pleasure, Courlaen-
der was the first to introduce Grleg's
music to the American pubL!c, lie was q
great performer IN his day; ms last
wears we're spert at the Peabody Con-
scrvntory In baltimore. This eminent
man died In 1898.
rhe last time saw him was In tho
closing days OF August 1886, ]otted
down in my note book, soon after that
| visit these words: \,
After q most delightful visit pade
| fnrewell-not Cor the last time, y trlst-
| TO ono whom esteem In q very hlgh
| degree both as n pianist and Il scholar
| ~ musician. and hWrNng TO the Charles
| Street stnt!on OF the Pennsylvania rail-
way. was soon flying homeward on
the fast express 10th to leave such
| pleasant surroundings yet I was glad 70
hasten to the blue hills OF Virginia. for
| the pretty little child that fitted about
| tho parlors ut her grandpa Courlaender's
reminded me that "A brlght-cyed and
curly haired little boy was waiting 70
welcome me home With kiss ana q
smile such as only child can give,
! The thought OF dear old Thackeray ana NJ
| his pretty lines from "'rlle White squat
came 10 imind--I could not reprass theh'
| And when Its force expended,
| Tho harmless storm was ended.
| And rs the sunrise splendid.
Camo hlushing DER the sea;
i thought as day was breaking,
My'littlc girls were waking.