The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-07-22
Tribute to Memory
of Violinist.

Edouard Remenyi, who on May 16, 1898,
fell dead at the Orpheum Theater in
this city, has been we'll remembered
in volume about him called, 'Edouard
Remenyi: Magician, Litterateur and
Man: An Appreciation" by Gwendolyn
Dunlevy Kelly and George P. Upton.
1t is not a complete biography, but
contains many interesting papers that
will make good material to aid in the
construction of some future history of
the life of this unusually talented man,
whom the critics have praised so high
ly for his mastery of the violin. 1t
contains sketches of his life and artis-
tic career, by friends and contempt
raries, to which are added critical re-
views of his playing, and selections
from his literary papers and CORE
spondence. 1t is illustrated by hume
rous reproductions of photographs of
Remenyi, showing the artist at various
ages, from boyhood to old age.
Remenyi had intended writing the
story of his own life and the present
volume is largely made up of some
leaves which he had requested his
friend, Gwendolyn Dunlevy Kelly, to
save as the framework for that pur-
posed autobiography. She contributes
sketch of the man as she knew him
as a friend and artist. One of the
very appreciative things she has to
say of him is this:
This human power which carries
with it that intangible promise and
conviction of what the Italians call
simpatica' was Remenyrs. He held
the key to his mystery, and 1t was
not alone his bow that stirred the
minds and hearts of those who felt his
magnetism His art was a form of
prayer, and often he would play. as
in meditation religieuse, both touch
ingly and upliftingly music that APP
pealed to the listeners soul"
kemenyi, when playing in London,
moved his audiences TO great enthu-
siasm. The London Times gave him
high praise:
"As regards volume and beauty of
tone, NJ Remenyi ranks with the first
masters of his instrument. and his
technical perfection is second to few.
In addition he has all the verye and
rhy thmical decision peculiar to his ma
tionality, and in the rendering of his
national airs he is absolutely unsur-
passable."
In one of his papers where Remenyi
is writing about painting he says:
Art possesses me entirely. With me
it is not an agreeable pastime; it is
my life, my blood, my everything.
To what an extent his own special
art was a passion with him is indicated
by his peculiar care for his violin at
violin was something very precious to
him as an instrument whereby to ex
press his highest emotions. He put
both arms around it, hugging 1t as
tenderly asa mother would her babe.
1t was saved from being wrecked or
even injured by the fall"
This enthusiastic artist was Jew
and his real name was Hoffman,. He
Hungarianized his name to Remenyi
He was born in Miskolz Hungary, in
1880. He led an adventurous life and
was restless wanderer. Although
patriotic as a Hungarian, he was also
a cosmopolite. He gave his first con-
cert at Niblo's Garden in New York in
1850. 1t is said that the mans marked
individuality could be felt more strong
ly in a drawing-room than in a big
concert hall. He excelled in this close
individual appeal A remark of his
which shows the characteristics of the
man is this:
There is sure to be in every audi
ence at least one heart to which 1
can talk. That is enough. l fix my
eyes upon him. We understand each
other; or, l may not see him, but he
is there. 1 feel it. AS to the rest, if
they do not understand, l will make
them feel"
One of the papers of "reminiscences is
contributed by Colonel Henry 1. Ko-
walsky. at whose house Remenyi was
frequently a guest when he visited San
Francisco. Kowalsky also writes an
account of his death on the Orpheum
stage The last letter the musician
ever wrote was very pretty one of
thanks to Kowalskys young daughter
for sending him a bunch of carnations
shortly before the messenger of death
came TO him as he stood upon the
Orpheum stage. This is the brief note
in which he promises that the floral
gift shall. be his inspiration:
MY very dear Miss Mabel: A million
good thanks count them for your
gracious girlish floral sending. Will
try to come up with my violin to the
sender. and the beauty of the flowers
Thanks, and believe me to be always
your friend, ED. REMENYI."
"a. c. McCurg & Co, Chicago.)