Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-04

EkFAN q HIM that I'D III SAAfhiA - -
The words of the Great Master
a were never APPLIED more exactly
than to Fritz Kreisler multiform ge-
MUS. His talents are numerous. His
ACCOMPLISHMENTS are almost beyond be-
lief. He is musician, mathematician,
logician, netaphysician, chemist, phi
losopher, architect, botanist, zoologist,
and, beyond ALL man. His giant intel
Ieet towers above his fellows. His
simplicity humbles all who come in
contact with him.
Some psychologist has said that the
human brain is capable of two billion
new ideas. If that be so, then Fritz
Kreisler is a near-exemplification of
the theory. He may not have expressed
his full quota Of original ideas, but he
has carefully nurtured his brain so
that in the course of lifetime the full
sum of thought activity may be his.
So strong is Kreisler mentally that
he gives one the impression of disem-
bodied intellect. He astounds one with
his wonderful mental gifts, his accom-
plishments. He discusses pragmatlsm
with much the same ease that the so
ciety bud" speaks of the latest mover
or the seasons most exclusive hop.
And yet he is not so intellectual tnat
he bores one. He makes 1t easy 10
listen, for his words are we'll chosen
and his ideas as clear as daylight.
The general impression of master
Niolinist. one who has brought the
world to his feet, is that he is of amaze
mic conutenance and long hair. You
would be surprised if you spent an
In Ioay h q
your ideas were entirely wrong-at
least so far as he is concerned.
Temperament Is Marked
OF course. he is temperamental. He
would not be a genius if he were not.
Temperament is said to be but the
glow of genius fire. 1t limns the genius
before the world in the same manner
that a figure is outlined by the glow
from a log burning in fireplace. But
Kreisler's temperament is not of the
usual order. It is more virile, more
more worth while, more an "outl1ner
of the man himself than the usual
Kreisler is nervous. in action. He
seems always desiring to do something.
The wonderful force Of his brain seems
to desire constant expression in action.
He no sooner sees a problem than he
attacks It. That is the secret of his
success. He has found the golden mas
Ter kew and uses it to unlock every
door shut against less fortunate beings.
Not one minute of his time is lost or
missed.
Fritz Kreisler was born in Vienna in
1875 in an atmosphere of culture. His
father, leading surgeon, was one OF
the advanced thinkers o. a coterle OF
deep delivers after truth. His mother
was a fitting mate for Kreisler's father.
From his mother came his love of
music; from his father came his de-
sire to learn. Almost as soon as the
baby Fritz crawled he began to ex-
press an understanding OF music.
When 5 years old he could draw bow
across the strings of his mothers vio-
lin in a manner that stamped him as
a prodigy aE1 an embryo genius. At
II he had mastered Greek and Latin,
and was an acknowledged violinist,
for he had carried off several prizes
from the Conservatorie de Vienna.
From then on his advancement was
rapid and along many lines.
one rule of the Kreisler household
was that talent should be used, but
not abused by excessive cultivation.
Fritz was made to study all arts and
sciences, made to take his place in the
army, and made to fit himself for va
rious occupations. Always, however,
music was the thing nearest his heart.
II would die without music" is the
way he now puts it.
Music Life Work
He has made his music his life work,
but he has developed his brain along
SO many lines that it may be said of
him. ITO him that hath shall be
given Possibly his music has made
his brain great, and possibly his brain
has made his music great, Whatever
il is, he is great-a multiform genius.
The hands of a Violinist are always
objects of much investigation.
When Kreisler held out his hands for
my scrutiny I was surprised. l noticed
that the right hand was stained a pc
culiar shade of brown. Especially was
this true of the finger nails. I asked
the cause.
Il have been using some acids" said
Kreisler, "and you know acid stains
ones hands. You see, I like chem
istry. 1t allows one to grasp some
problems of life which cannot be under
stood except through chemical anal
ysis. My father stirred my interest
in chemistry and so I have always