Evening star., 1933-07-02
"reminiscences of Liszt
Celebrating July Fourth
Old Magazine Reveals Story of Composer $
Musicale on independence Day. 1SS5-Pan-
American Concert Commentaries Holiday.
Bv Alice Eversman.


day, will be an attractive
picture to the many lovers
of this great genius who COM
bined the superlative qualities OF
performer, composer, mystic and
warm hearted humanitarian in
his artistic makeup. On the
Fourth of July, 1885, in the city
of Weimar, the great master
found time to stage real cele-
bration of the day dear to his
American pupils. of whom there
were always many, and to enter
into the spirit Of the occasion
with genuine enjoyment. The
story deserves to be told as fully
as space will allow and for this
interesting account written by
Albert Morris Bagby in a Septem-
ber, 1886, copy of the Century
Magazine, appreciation is ex-
tended Doree Germaine Holman
for having brought it to the at
tention of this department.
Mr.. Bagby spent the Summer
in Weimar as one of the class of
pupils having tri-Weekly lessons
with LisZt. He first describes the
masters appearance: His once
erect, tall form was clad in a
black suit with short housecoat
and Waistcoat buttoned high. A
broad. black silk crayat, low
standing collar and black mo-
rocco slippers. without backs or
heels, displaying a liberal eXpanse
of white worsted hose. completed
his simple attire. The heavy
masses of long, silky, snow-White
hair were brushed loosely back
from his forehead and touched
his shoulders. A kindly smile of
welcome played over his features
as with friendly word or embrace
he received each of his pupils
according to his or her place in
his esteem or affection.
That Summer there were
Just two Americans studying with
List and it occurred to them that
they might celebrate the ami
versary of the independence of
our country if the master and
his pupils would join in a soiree
musicale on the Fourth. Liszt was
greatly pleased with the idea, but
created a deal of CONSERVATION
when, after having me play
Yankee Doodle ordered Arthur
Friedheim to write variations on
the tune for the next days party
and also ordered me to provide
Rubenstein's variations on the
same national air A cry of pro-
test went up for the variations
were long and difficult. but Liszt
said each pupil should play at
them on the morrow, a pro-
nouncement that did not add to
the joys of anticipation.
When o'clock Saturday after
noon came. the ladies of our
household advanced to the head
of the stairs to meet Liszt. Miss
G. pinned the national colorS in
flowers, worn by all the guests, to
the lapel of his coat. We are all
Americans today said the master
with patriotic ring to his voice
An American flag of flowers,
stripes of red and white roses,
squares of blue corn-f1owers, with
small white tar-fowers, made
especially for Liszt, rewarded this
speech.
Finally he said: Now We will
have some music and took his
seat in the front row. Then
Gollerich and Stradal of Vienna
played, appropriately to the day,
LiSZt 'Festklange,' for two pianos
The master left his chair and
seated himself between the two
pianists. where he could make
observations and occasionally
heighten the effect by playing on
one end of the keyboards. After
a pause, List called for the next
number and gallantly led Miss
G. to the instrument. sat at her
side and encouraged by muttered
'bravos' and good as she per-
formed an etude of his. The mas
ter then asked for Friedheim's
variations on Yankee Doodle.
Ansorge, one of the best artists
present, was at the second piano.
After an impressive introduction
came the familiar melody, but the
music grew gradually wilder and
more complicated and in the
grand crash of the finale the clos
ing chorus from Beethoven's
Ninth Symphony and the bell
theme from Wagner's ParSifal'
were diStinguiShable.
THE freaky medley developed a
proper Fourth of July humOr in
all. the master especially shook
with laughter. During the enSu-
ing pause for refreshments it was
my duty to toast our illuStrious
guest. In response to 'hoch' for
the master, he cried America,
hoch. Now for Rubenstein's
Yankee Doodle exclaimed
Liszt. The music, which had been
procured in haste from Leipzig
was placed on the rack. Who
shall begin? All. yes, here L., you
may be the first to play
"'Dare ask to be excused. mas
ter? I am Just in from a two
weeks tramp in the mountains
and have no piano. My fingers
are very stiff said L., uneasily.
Then Sauer may begin.
Dear master, my wrist is very
painful from over practice on the
Rubenstein concerto yesterday.
Will you excuse me?' 'Ha, ha, ha,
laughed the master, good, very
good. Then Stradal shall begin
Several watched the opportu-
nifty and glided into the adjacent
rooms. Reading at first sight be-
fore the master is rather venture
some for the consciousness OF
having played badly in his pres
ence is punishment enough even
though he were not so ruthless in
his criticism. Liszt keenly enjoys
this game of hide and seek and
during the ordeal at the piano he
rirculotad freely thr0uph the