Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1930-02-22
BRIDGETOWER, the Great
Negro Violinist
which later became the famous Kreut-

which later became the famous Kreut-
ger Sonata.
The story goes that Beethoven had
intended naming the great sonata, for
BridgetoWer, but young lady OF
whom Beethoven was very fond,
showed too great an interest in the
young violinist, which so angered
Beethoven. that impulsively he
scratched eff Bridgetower's name, and
substituted that of Rudolph Kreut-
ger of Paris, whom he had never seen.
Such is the story told by Ries in his
"Notizen."
Bridgetower previously had scored
a triumph in that piece. Beethoven
had promised him to write it for one
of his concerts, but the composer was
so busy that he did not give it to
Bridgetower until 4:3O the morning
of the concert and then in a script
to a greater or less degree illegible.
Often Accompanied Beethoven
The concert was to take place at 8.
But BridCetower was equal to the oc-
casion, and his Interpretation of the
marvellous piece was so perfect, that
Beethoven, carried away with delight,
jumped to his feet, and embracing
the young violinist, cried: "Noch elm
NAL, mein leiber Bursch" (Once more,
my dear fellow0
Later in Vienna he often accom-
panied Beethoven in public.
In Vienna, the aristocracy turned
out in, force to see him and he be-
came the idol of the Austrian CAPT.
tai Among those present at his first
concert were the Emperor Of Austria
and his court, and the Prince Ester
hazy, the Prince de Lichenstein,
Prince Lobkowitz, and the British
Ambassador.
Visiting Rome, Milan, Paris and
other cities, he rode on the crest of
triumph. Back once more in Lon
don he became greater rage than
ever, and commanded higher price
than any other musician of his day.
His successes continued for many
years after this, and he remained in
the service of his firm friend, King
George the fourth, until the latter's
death.
Died in Poverty
After the kings death, and due also
to illness, caused by gall-stones, he
retired from public life and died on
February 30, 1860, in comparative
poverty and obscurity. He was buried
at Kensal Green cemetery, London.
Unselfish Genius
Like most geniuses, money had
mattered n9thing to him, and he
spent it as easily as he earned it.
Much of it went to aiding deserving
musicians. Because Of his close
friendship with the King, he could
have had a title, but this he refused.
At no time was his influence with
the King ever used in his own behalf,
only for that of his friends.
Samuel Wesley has paid him the
following tribute:
George Bridgetower whom they
used to denote, the African Prince,
is Justly to be ranked with the first
masters of the violin. He practised
much with the celebrated Viotti and
imbibed largely of his bold and spirit
ed style of execution.
1T was rich treat for the lover
of the instrument to hear him per-
form the matchless and immortal So
los CT Bach, all of which he perfectly
retained in memory and executed
with the utmost precision and with
out a single error Indeed whatever
the composition, or whoever the au-
thcr, whose music he undertook to
perform. he treated them in so per-
feet and mastery manner as to
yield entire and universal delight and
satisfaction to every auditor"
Was Composer
Bridgetower also wrote several bits
of music, two, of which are to be
found in the Pritish Museum. They
are q "Diatonica Armonica for the
Piano." and Ballad, You Call Me