Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-21

OF the hundreds that gathered to
hear the marvellous Mischa Elman, the
Russian violinist the Rock Island
Musical club presented in concert Feb.
, s, one person, it is very certain, re-
ceiyed every atom of benefit that was
contained in the evening of rare priyi-
lege. This person, if one may group
so large a word around so tiny maid,
was little Miss Linda Sool, who with
her parents, resides in this city. For
in Linda Sool, not yet ten years of age,
is embodied all of the genius that is
demonstrated in Mischa Elman, to-
gether with promise of something
finer, if can be, in tender intultive
touching of heart chords; and, like
Elman, her measure of divinity is kin
died in the most satisfying of all must
cal instruments, the violin.
Linda was born in New York, of
German parentage, Mr.. and Mrs. Sool
having been reared at Greic, province
of Sachsen, and at the age of five was
taken to the homeland wherein her
mother and father had spent their
childhood. She was placed in kinder
garten and readily absorbed the
hausfrauly intricacies of the Froebel
system. Returning to this country in
1910 her parents came directly to Rock
Island. Linda entered the Lincoln
school and up to this time had had no
knowledge of the English tongue, her
German, nevertheless, the envy of any
high school wanderer in verbs. Though
Mr.. and Mrs. Socl refuse to trace any
natural aptitude of their little daugh-
ter to heritage, it is quite significant
that music had a definite form in their
idea for the education of Linda, and
with their appreciation of the best as
sumed that a schooling should, OF
course, include that study. Thus at
six years and nine months her father
took her by the hand and she, Juggling
a violin quite as big as her fairy self,
was guided to the teacher that more
fttingly than any one else held the
key that unlocked the magic bow.
Right there another element, and likely
the most determining, was added to
the wealth of talent; her path had led |
to a teacher who, recognizing the !
genius. shrouded her with the sacred /
ness of trust, feeling a responsibility /
to a Divine Mind.
The too big violin was discarded !
and a smaller one-Quite small-that |
fit the length from shoulder to wrist I
was substituted and lessons begun
under the tutelage of Mary Alice Will
liams. 1t was some months before Miss
Williams discovered that her little
pupil was devoid of English. The deli
cacy of the child concealed the fact
hat her United States was limited
70 few phrases; these. however. were
perfect Much in accident Miss Will
Jams one day replied to her in German
md was overwhelmed at onslaught of
huge hug and voluble flow of Ian
suage that Embossed the hitherto silent
ceilings of her pupil.
Practicing but one hour a day, at
ending school regularly, and romping
through playhours with the abandon of ,
be normal child. at the close of a
ears work Linda had advanced in a
Iegree that justified her teachers ;
lopes. To verify by others opinion, !
asst March an audience was sought }
With Max /. Fischel. one of the most
prominent teachers of violin in Chi ,
ago. writer of studies and scales and ,
n authority on student ability. Mr. :
fschel was enthusiastic in praise. of ,
linda and predicted that she would
oubtless weave fame for herself and
er home city. las soon as she play
d the second note 1 knew what she
'as. Why, she phrases even the
Gales" commented Mr.. Fischel. Ii was
uring the visit to Chicago that she
card Elman play at Orchestra hall last
aster Sunday. While there she took
art in several private recitals playing
efore critical audiences, In each in
lance her genius being instantly de-
.cted.
Having outgrown two vlolins. as a
IT on her eighth birthday. her par
hts desired to get a really fine instru-
ent John Hornsteiner. one of the