The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-20


ambition kept Eddie Brown in retire
ment during the succeeding year.
IF it is a wonder child you wish" said
Prof. Hubay to Eddie's father year
ago, take him now. He is greater than
Won Vecsey when he left me. If it is a
boy phenomenon you desire, he is ready
If to make money is your sole object,
there is no need to wait longer. But If
you would do him justice and make him
the great artist he should be, leave him
with me another year. Then and the
expressive gesture said more plainly than
words who can tell what he will not
achieve
Eddie remained tho additional year at
the Royal Musical academy at Budapest.
In three years he has done the work pre-
scribed in the regular course Of eight
years. He has justified Hubays predlc-
ton. In the annual competition held at
the Royal academy last June he capped
the climax of his student days by win
ming the competitive prize, Stradivarl-
us violin, valued at between $1,000 and
$4,000. This was done, it may be remem-
bered. by an American boy, without in
fluence other than sheer merit; in the
heart of one of Europes centers of mu-
steal skill and knowledge; where the peo-
pie are intensely antagonisuc toward
anyone or anything foreign; who seldom
acknowledge musical superiority in any
one beyond the western coast of Europe
and in a school where, to be student is
in itself mark of high distinction For
the Royal academy is maintained by the
state of Hungary for arts sake. The
fees are merely nominal, but the exac-
tions for entrance are barriers to all but
those who have within them a great gen
ius for work and marked talent.
Eddie is the son of Mr.. and Mrs ia
cob Brown of Indianapolis. He was born
in Chicago and received his first instruc-
ton from his father. Three years ago
the little family divided, the mother and
Eddie going across the sea and the faith
er and another son remaining in Indian
apolis.
1t has not been a path Of roses for the
little violinist For the purpose of f1c-
ton, it might be related that the boy
at once astounded the professors OF the
Royal academy But that is not what
happened at ALL They saw nothing ex-
traordinary and told him to study under
assistant professors for a year-two-
maybe three. So the struggle began. At
length the great Hubay deigned to hear
him play. Still, he was not far enough
advanced to warrant the masters atten-
ton. More drudgery. Disheartened by
the seemingly hopeless effort; wearied of
the sights and inattention of people
both in sympathy with her effort and
longing for her own home in America,
Mrs Brown again appealed to Hubay Tor
an audience. Once more Hubay heard
the boy play Eddie had been working
hard and it was evident.
Now ! am taking more interest in
him." said Hubay. Don't give up. He
has made good progress. Keep him at it.
He will come out alright"
And he did. The next time he played
for Hubay, the master, delighted and
amazed. called in his fellow professors,
who were in turn delighted. Then he
took the boy for his own and the begin
ming of the victory was in sight. There
were YET two years of hard grinding toll
! ahead-but they have come to an end.
The newspapers of Budapest call Eddie
Brown the wonder child" the --latest
product of Hubays wonder art" and pre-
dict that he will become the greatest
artist of his day.
His fame began 70 reach out during
his last year and the managers investi-
gated. Several, whose reputation is in
ternational wished 10 undertake the
management Of the boy, but it remained
! for Yunkerman. who now manages Ku-
belik, to get the contract
A series of four concerts has been ar
ranged, one each in London, Vienna,
Paris and Berlin. The first, of course, to
be in London. At one Of these concerts,
Hubay will conduct the orchestra as a
part of a promise made to his gifted pu-
pill. Following these four concerts will
| come a tour of Europe which will last
all winter. 1t Is not expected that he
will come back to the United States until
next summer.
|
| 1t was xPung Won Vecsey himself who
started rdie Brown on his career