Ole Bull: A Memoir

Strong as a Viking of his own proud North He trod this deck, two little years ago— A kinglier man, or one of nobler worth, Nor his nor any land shall ever know— So brave, so goo...

On the 17th of May, 1814, the constitution was adopted by the convention. It provided that the people should make the laws through their chosen representatives; that the people...

Ole was exceedingly fond of beautiful cocks, and when eight or nine years old, after he had played in public, while walking home carrying his violin in a gingham bag, he discove...

Aided by peculiar physical and nervous force Ole Bull presented that rare combination,—excellence in the _technique_ of the left hand, with equal excellence in that of the bow....

I saw the new flag hoisted above our nation: that flag which adorns the harbors of the world, and which, at half–mast, has mourned many of the men who, in the face of opposition...

From Charleston he went to Columbia and Norfolk, and thence by sea to Baltimore, giving concerts in each place. He then went direct to Boston, by way of New York, where Schubert...

The shelf of rock on which the Hall stands is about fifty feet above the water, and some two or three hundred feet below the highest point on the island. Immediately around the...

When you were in Paris I showed you some instruments with which I had taken extraordinary pains, and you liked them. I have since kept up this kind of work, and had made some qu...

To–morrow is the day for my first concert. I have to–day had the third rehearsal with full orchestra. It is impossible to tell you all the intrigues I have had to encounter. I h...

The purpose of this, therefore, is to request that, should Mr. H. institute proceedings against Mr. Bull of the character I have suggested, you will procure for him the necessar...

In preparing this memoir my aim has been to use incidents, criticisms, and tributes which brought out characteristic traits, as recognized by others as well as myself, and to su...

For my encore last evening I gave them an improvisation on the National Hymn. I may decide to give a good number of concerts, as they are fighting like wolves for seats. The kin...

You will find many alterations in the finale of my Bravura Variations. I have still much to do as regards my compositions themselves, and my playing of them, before they are sat...

I had never seen a violin save in the hands of a country dancing–master, and it was like a new revelation when this high–bred gentleman stood up “every inch a man,” and with “ch...

Early in March he went to Baltimore to see his counsel, who had written him of the favorable termination of his suit with Schubert. He also visited Lexington, Kentucky, among ot...

The Teatro Pagliano yesterday presented an imposing scene. Every part was full to overflowing. The most distinguished families and the ladies of the highest circles, including t...

He now went through Finland, giving concerts in the chief towns, and thence to Stockholm. Being in haste to reach home, he resolved not to give any concert there. It was hoped,...

Paganini’s last Parisian concert occurred in the year 1832, at the Grand Opéra. He played three pieces. Habeneck, professor of music at the Conservatoire, on this occasion wield...

The concert was advertised, and the Polacca was in the programme; still it had no existence, except in the musician’s soul. “_Have_ you written that music?” said Thorwaldsen. “_...

Ole Bull once admiring the ability with which Malibran read music at sight, she challenged him, saying, “You cannot play anything, be it ever so intricate, but I can sing it aft...

Schubert has published the “Adagio Religioso,” which will be sent you at Paris. You will find _your_ name on the title–page. The “Bravura Variations” are dedicated to King Karl...

The press notices are reminders of the large audiences of 1876, and the pleasure manifested at the efforts of the artists. In some places,—in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, for inst...

Where on this planet is a place so sublimely appropriate as the rocky coast of Norway, to the newly–invented Æolian sea–signals? Metal pipes, attached to floating buoys, are pla...

Criticisms of Ole Bull: London _Times_, 84, 86, 87; _New York Herald_, 179, 276, 292; _Corsaire Satan_, 189; _Le Constitutionnel_, 190; _Le Sud_, 192; the _Español_, 195; the Va...

From this ardent study, assisted by eminent teachers of Italian song, came his command of melody, which enabled him to reproduce with their true native character the most delica...

I use a bow longer by two inches than the ordinary standard. A powerful, heavy bow is required for four–string passages and many _tours de force_. The bow, while elastic, should...

Akenside and Beattie, 1 vol. Ballads, 4 vols. Burns, 1 vol. Butler, 1 vol. Byron, 5 vols. Campbell and Falconer, 1 vol. Chatterton, 1 vol. Chaucer, 3 vols. Churchill, Parnell, a...