Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-26
BY GIOVANNI ROCCA

almost Immediately its tone became clear and melod
as before
Toscanni went home much impressed and at night
before retiring began to sing the melody he had heard
that afternoon All at his voice emitted the
discOrdant effect produced by the violin; but immed
ately afterward became melOdouS.
few days later old friend of his father musician
to the house, and the boy whistled to him that
melody, to find out the name of the composer.
The visitor informed him it melody of Beethovens
and made Toscanin remark that certain note
of tune.
For many years afterward Toscanin would repeat the
melody and at certain point always repeat that
dissonant tone. This illustrates the impression
that piece of music had made on his memory.
X1HEN Toscanin still a student at the conserva-
w tory one day friend young composer, asked
him to play symphony of his own But Toscanin
who in hurry to catch train, begged the friend
to wait till his return. few days afterward the
poser reminded Toscanini of his promise. The latter
who had forgotten to look the composition, was
a little embarrassed. However, without saying any
thing he took the music to the window. He glanced
the composition only and then triumphantly
to the piano and played it by heart One imagine
the surprise and pleasure of the young composer who
other than Giacomo Puccini.
ANOTHER time in Berlin the Philharmonic Society
1 thought of playing Toscanni little trick They
asked him. only few hours before the performance to
direct concert and gave him the for all the SYM
phonies Toscanin did not appear impressed that any,
thing unusual was asked of him. He looked at the
music, then Sad
Il am ready.
And he surprised his friends by directing everything
without once looking at the
ANOTHER very amusing incident happened to him
in Milan. A friend asked Toscanini to attend
spirituastic meeting He went, and the host called
him aside ask him little favor. He laughingly told
him that the meeting would not be one but only
intended joke for the benefit of his friends and that
he had planned with his wife that certain
the spirit of Beethoven would appear and play of his
sonatas He asked Toscanni if he would impersonate
Beethoven he m
then and Toscann forgot later ask where the piano
would be placed.
The meeting started all the lights extinguished
the medium took her place at the table, and the usual
knockings began.
After few seconds voice called out, Beethoven!
Beethoven"
Toscanini, not knowing where to CO. did not move.
The voice kept calling, Beethoven Beethoven
At last the host despair. softly took Toscanin by
the and forced him to sit at the piano. After a
second two a Beethoven symphony heard, which
lasted for half an hour without interruption and when
the last chords executed thunder of applause
burst out from all the guests while the host pushing
the electric button to illuminate the
The intended dupe meant to have been Toscanni,
his friends having planned the spiritual meeting in order
put him the test to determine whether he could
play without seeing the keys.
In Italy, Toscanin is called the "Nlago." He knows
by heart than sixty operas and he the
Scores not when he directs opera for the first
time. In word, Arturo Toscanni is phenomenon of