New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-26
MAN OF MEMORY
BY GIOVANNI ROCCA

almost Immediately its tone became clear ami '-
outs as before
Toscanni went home much impressed. AM
before retiring began 20 sing the melody he Boz
that afternoon. All at once his voice emitted . .e
discorlant effect produced by the violin; bu, '
atcy afterward became mcoliOuS.
\ few days later an old friend Of his father, D. n
came 20 the house. and the boy whiSted 10 h'' ED,
same melody. 70 find out the name Of the cor p
The visitor informed him II a melody Of Beet, -
and made Toscanini remark that certain note "" III
OF tune
For many years aftcrward Toscanni would rcpc he
same melody and at a certain point always repeat 10
same dissonant tone. This illustrates the impr,
that piece OF music had made on his memory.
WHEN Toscanin was still a student at the conS,' ID;
w tory one day a friend young composer, as ed
him to play a symphony OF his own. But ToScan,i,
who was in a hurry to catch train, begged the friend
to wait till his return. y few days aterward the CONF
poser reminded Toscanni OF his promise. The latter
who had forgotten to look over the composition ".S
a little embarrassed. However, without saying 'E-
thing he took the music to the window. He glance 10
the composition only and then trlumphany went
the piano and played it by heart. One can imagine
the surprise and pleasure OF the young composer, who
was none other than Giacomo Puccin
ANOTHER time in Berlin the PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
thought Of playing ToScanini little trek. Ihcy
asked him, only few hours before the performance I"
direct a concert, and gave him the SEQ .
phones. ToScanni did not appear I'M rp--.. '.".
thing unusual was asked of him. tic .."N". . ..''
music then SAID:
81 am ready.
And he surprised his friends by directing verifying
without once looking at the score.
ANOTHER very amusing incident happencd nh,
1 once in Milan. \ friend asked ToSCanin {" .icm
a sprtualiStic meeting. He went, and the host c'lTO
him aside to ask him little favor He laughngy tou
him that the meeting would not be serious one but oN
Il. /. 81 I, s-.,, IA
he had planned with his wife that at a certain monCh'
the spirit of Beethoven would appear and play one o >
SonataS. He asked ToScanini If he would i'Iic'"''
Beethoven and play. The conversation was ini''.,'
then, and roScanin forgot later To ask where inc f'
would be placed ~.
The meeting started, all the lights were eXtingush'
the medium took her place at the table, and the 'u"
knockings began. .
After a few seconds a voice called out, Beethoven
Beethoven"
Toscanin not knowing where to CO. did not now
The voice kept calling, Beethoven BeethoNt,'
At last the host in despair, softly took IoScanh oH
the arm and forced him to sit at the piano. N',i =
second or two a Beethoven symphony was heard when
lasted for half an hour without interruption and wheh
the last chords were executed thunder OF applause
burst out from all the guests while the host was pushing
the electric button TO illuminate the room -.
The intended dupe meant to have been loSC','',
his friends having planned the spiritual meeting III oi
to put him to the test to determine whether nc CUM
play without seeing the keys. - -.
In Italv Toscanin is called the "Alago. tie know
by heart more than sixty operas and he never uSeS Wv
scores not even when he directs new opera TOT TIE MS
time In a word Arturo ToScanni is phenomenon u
prodigious memory and splendid example OF ar'iS''