Ole Bull Part 5

I have bought an English traveling carriage. K. and I sleep like two kings in it.... We are to start in a moment, the postilion is impatient. I have to be in Schwerin tonight, as I have accepted an invitation from the court; the princess has promised me a letter of introduction to her sister, the Empress of Russia.

I have given one concert in Altona, and am to give two in Lubeck tomorrow, and two in Schwerin; then to Rostock, and Konigsberg; and, in a month's time, I shall be in St. Petersburg. Wherever I have given concerts I have played to large audiences and received double prices....

My dear, be patient! Two months only, and we shall be reunited.

Again, he writes from Berlin, January 31, 1838:-

You will undoubtedly have received my letter from Lubeck some days ago. I came almost against my will, and quite unexpectedly, to Berlin. It happened in this way: While in Kiel I received an invitation from the court of MecklenburgSchwerin (the Princess of Orleans is a sister of the grand duke), to play there; and knowing that I intended visiting Russia, the grand d.u.c.h.ess promised me a letter of introduction to her sister the empress. After writing my last letter to you in Lubeck I started for Schwerin. Although the distance is short (we left at one o'clock in the morning), we did not arrive there until five o'clock the next morning, as we lost our way on account of the heavy snowfall. But that did not tire me much. I lay on furs, made up comfortably as a bed.

After the rehearsal, and some hours after my arrival, the grand duke called and thanked me for coming to Schwerin. One could not meet a more charming person. At night the court was present. After the performance the duke came to my dressingroom with tears in his eyes. He invited me to the palace the following morning, and said, "My wife was much moved during your whole performance; she _must_ see and talk with you." The next day I had an audience that lasted three quarters of an hour.... The d.u.c.h.ess told me she had just written to her father, the King of Prussia, of the sensation I had made, and asked me to go to Berlin and play there, suggesting that it might be of benefit to me in Russia.... She asked me what she could do for me.... Her husband was also exceedingly kind. After the concert I was awakened by a serenade.

The next day the ducal family attended the rehearsal; in the evening the d.u.c.h.ess gave me letters to Berlin and Russia, and at the conclusion of the performance the orchestra presented me with a laurel wreath.

He went to Berlin and made his visit to the intendant, who was offensively patronizing, and appointed an hour the day following for another call at the Opera House. Ole Bull came. "Where is your violin?"

"In the case." "And where is the case?" "At the hotel." "But did I not ask you to play for me?" "Excuse me, sir, I could not think you were in earnest. I play either for honor or for money, and in this case neither is in question." "But it is impossible for me to present you to his majesty without having heard you." "If the request of the grand d.u.c.h.ess is not a sufficient recommendation to his majesty her father, I am quite content to leave the city,"-and he did leave Berlin at once.

He next gave four concerts in four days in Konigsberg, and, being crowned with laurel, which he tried to decline, he responded by playing "Heil dir ein Siegenkranz." In Riga he gave four concerts in five days.

In St. Petersburg he had some difficulties to encounter with another intendant; but shortly after his arrival he played at the Imperial Theatre. The empress, the imperial family, and the court, were present.

On his entrance he was warmly received, and the "Polacca Guerriera"

created the greatest enthusiasm. The applause constantly interrupted the orchestra, and the musicians were obliged to wait patiently the pleasure of the audience. This applause Ole Bull acknowledged, when called before the curtain, by playing the Russian National Hymn. This created another furor, and he was recalled again and again, the applause being led by the imperial family. A critic wrote:-

I never witnessed such a universal ovation; Ole Bull's tones have the power of melting the hearts even of the envious. When he commenced, he played to both enemies and friends, but he ended by playing to friends only. He has, by his personal worth, made himself universally beloved here.

He gave three concerts in the Great Theatre to crowded houses, although the usual prices were quadrupled. He played also in private for the empress, who presented him with a ring-an emerald in a setting of one hundred and forty diamonds. The emperor sent him an autograph letter.

Being invited to Moscow he gave five concerts there, and received many jewels from the n.o.bility of the city, among them a valuable ring from the Princess Galizin.

Here the sad tidings of his father's death reached him. He writes:-

A letter from my brother Edward describes most touchingly my poor father's death! He says he spoke often of the antic.i.p.ated delight of his dear Ole's return, after so many years of separation. He read all the poems and criticisms, and knew that I was on my way home, with my dear Felicie. He constantly heard divine music that made him forget his sufferings. When dying, he spoke of me, and his face was beautiful to behold.

I am so sad! Such fears! Ever the thought haunts me that I may not see you and our child again....

Tomorrow I play a quartette of Beethoven's, a quartette of Mozart's, a quintette of Gebel's, and a composition of my own....

G.o.d protect you both!

His grand concerts in St. Petersburg were given in a hall that would seat five thousand people, and it was filled at every performance.

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, however, that he might be induced to change his mind by inviting him to play for the benefit of the sufferers from the fire in Wermeland, some of whom were then in Stockholm collecting subscriptions. He presented five hundred dollars to the sufferers, but declined to play. His presence at the palace was requested, and the king, during the interview, asked him to remain and play, saying that he made the request as King of Norway. He could not well refuse to comply with a request so put, and, notwithstanding his anxiety to hurry home, he consented to give five concerts, the last of which netted five thousand dollars. He played at the palace twice. The "Polacca Guerriera" so moved the old warrior king, to whose ears martial music was ever the sweetest, that he rose from his seat, and remained standing until the piece was finished.

The following incident occurred during Ole Bull's first audience with Bernadotte. The king remarked that he had written to the Emperor of Russia, that he, too, had his Poles, the Norwegians; probably forgetting, for the moment, the nationality of his listener. Ole Bull replied with warmth: "Can your majesty mention a single instance in which my countrymen have not proved themselves lawabiding and loyal subjects?" "Your remark, sir, is out of place." "If my remark is out of place, your majesty, I myself am out of place, and will take my leave."

"Remain, sir!" cried Bernadotte, extending his hand with a commanding gesture. "No, sire! I will see if a _Norseman_ is free in the palace of the King of Sweden!" and the artist bowed low as he retired. Instantly the cloud lifted, and, with a winning smile and courteous words, the king said, "I pray you, sir, to remain; it is the duty of a prince to hear the opinions of all his people."

Before Ole Bull left, Bernadotte offered him the Vasa order, which he declined, saying that a handkerchief or a b.u.t.ton from his majesty's coat would be a precious memento of this visit. When the king found that both order and jewels were firmly declined, in parting with Ole Bull he told him that at all times he would be admitted directly to his presence, and concluded, "You will not refuse an old man's blessing"-which the violinist knelt to receive.

The order in brilliants was sent later to Ole Bull in Christiania, through his friend, Count WedelJarlsberg, with a message from the king requesting the artist to accept the gift, that the world might know his king appreciated and honored genius.

The artist arrived with his family in Christiania, the capital of Norway, July 8, 1838, having gone directly there from Stockholm. The people were impatient to hear him, but he felt it necessary to take a fortnight's rest after his long and fatiguing journey. The students hastened meantime to greet him before his public appearance, and on the 19th of July a dinner was given him by the foremost men of the country.

Poems were written and read, his portrait was wreathed in flowers, and he himself was at last crowned with laurel. Wergeland says of his arrival and concert:-

Business even was dull while awaiting him. The talk was only of Ole Bull. The people had evidently thought of him as walking about with diamond b.u.t.tons on his coat and surrounded by a sort of triumphal halo; and it was a surprise when he at last stood before us, exactly the same as of old, the same modest, una.s.suming man, with the same kindly smile and the piercing glance. Before his concert he made a visit to his old teacher, Paulsen, who had been unfortunate and now lay upon a sickbed. He played for him until the old man was happy, and when he left he took care to insure his permanent comfort.

Of the first concert it is enough to say that the great expectations of the people were not disappointed. Wergeland continues:-

The greatest marvel of all was that he brought Norway home to the Nors.e.m.e.n. Most people knew the folksongs and dances, but were ashamed to admire them. Lifted by him into their confidence and love, these homely melodies suddenly began to gleam like stars, and the people came to feel that they too had jewels of their own.

Ole Bull's name was now known in every part of Norway. Among the strangers who came to Christiania to hear him was the giant, the engineer Engebret Soot. Wild and pa.s.sionate as he was, music could subdue him like a child, and his family used to resort to this means of taming his Berserk nature. He had taken a short respite from his work and gone as fast as possible by carriole to Christiania, but arrived only at night after Ole Bull, weary from the first concert and its triumphs, had fallen fast asleep.

There is a knocking at his door, which, repeated, is at last answered: "Who's there?" The door is already opened. "Good evening, Ole Bull! It is I-Engebret Soot. I am come too late for your concert, and I want you to get up and play for me now." "I am really too tired. I-it is impossible,-besides"- But by the light of a candle which his unexpected visitor has succeeded in finding and lighting, the violinist sees before him a man of giant size grandly proportioned. "I have traveled ninety miles today to hear you." "Yes, but tomorrow"- "I must be in Aremark.

You _must_ play for me now, Ole Bull."

They exchange looks; they are physically the two best developed men in Norway; they understand each other, and Ole Bull takes his violin.

Sitting on the edge of the bed he plays and, in his turn, subdues and controls his formidable friend, moving him at will to tears or laughter; but he himself is not permitted to sleep until he has given his one auditor more than the audience of the evening had heard.

One of the most beautiful of the Norwegian poems addressed to Ole Bull was written by the famous poet Welhaven under the following circ.u.mstances. Crushed by the death of his betrothed he was leading a life of entire seclusion, and his friends were fearful that his depression would seriously affect his mind. He was persuaded to hear Ole Bull; the music brought him the relief of tears, and moved him to write this grateful tribute to his friend.[7]

[7] This poem, with a translation, will be found in the Appendix.

At the request of deputations Ole Bull now gave concerts in the princ.i.p.al towns along the coast and in Bergen. The people of his native city received him warmly, and festivities in his honor were the order of the day. During his visit there he composed "The Mountains of Norway," the last piece played by him at his last concert in 1880. He received everywhere proofs of the fervent sympathy and affection of his own people. At his farewell concert in Bergen he was greeted with a very rain of flowers by the ladies, although the season was so far advanced that these were grown in their houses and not in their gardens.

In October, 1838, he left Norway for his third continental tour. He gave five concerts in Copenhagen, one of which was for the founding of a pension fund for the chorus of the Royal Opera. He was presented at court, and played for King Frederic, who gave him a gold snuffbox set with diamonds, saying, "As you have won the hearts of my people, it is fitting that I should present you the key to my kingdom." On the cover of the box was a picture in enamel of the fortress by which the harbor of Copenhagen is defended.

The following letter from Hans Christian Andersen will be of interest here:-

COPENHAGEN, _December 8, 1838_.

MY DEAR GOOD FRIEND,-At this moment you are in my birthplace! I must bid you welcome there, and once more chat with you. It is only some days since we first met, but there are natures that need no longer time to become dear to each other, and ours, I think, are of them.

Thanks for the lyric strains of your violin,-if they could be rendered in words we should have a wonderful cycle of poems.

Although you played to the world at large, and many felt deeply what a human heart spoke to them in melody, I was egotistic enough-or perhaps you will give my feeling a n.o.bler name-to imagine and dream that it was singing for me alone; that I alone heard you tell in fragments the story of your artist life through your tones! Ah! long before I heard you, I had felt an interest in your genial personality; but now that we have met face to face, seen and understood each other, that sentiment has become friends.h.i.+p. I feel it will be a pleasure to know that you have won a soul; therefore I tell you, and am not ashamed. Everyday people would not understand me, and they would smile at this epistle, but I do not write to them in this strain-only to the friend Ole Bull.

One of these days I shall call on your uncle to see the dear little Ole,[8] kiss him, and think of his father and mother. The poor _bonne_, so suddenly dropped down in this corner of Europe, must be lonely. I send your lovely wife a whole bouquet of compliments. She cannot have forgotten me altogether-because of my wretched French, if for no other reason. Yesterday I dined with Thorwaldsen. We spoke of you, and when I told him that I should write to you, he asked to be remembered. He had tried to find you at the Hotel d'Angleterre, but they told him incorrectly, it seems, that you had gone to Roskilde, and he did not succeed in seeing you.

[8] The first baby, the darling child, whom Ole Bull mentioned in his letters before and after his birth, with the greatest tenderness.

What an agreeable surprise would a few lines be from you! Ah, do let me know how your own bodily self is thriving. You were not well when we said goodby-write of yourself. But do so at once, while the feeling is warm; later-well, I fear that if you do not, others will absorb your time, and that you will _not_ write. Send at least a few words-and now, G.o.d bless you! May you have all the success and happiness you deserve! Your name has a pleasant sound in Europe, your heart is known to your friends. I have many greetings for you from the C.'s, where I make my home. The _spirituelle_ daughters think a great deal of you; they said they hardly knew you well enough to ask to be remembered, but why should I not tell you what must always be dear to you? Much, much love to you. Farewell! with fraternal heart. Yours,

H. C. ANDERSEN.

By way of Odense, Flensborg, Schleswig, and Kiel, Ole Bull went to Hamburg, where he appeared three times; then to Bremen, Brunswick, and Hanover. He also went to Ca.s.sel, having received an invitation from the prince and Spohr, who now received him in the most kindly manner, and seemed anxious by his cordiality to blot out all memory of their former meeting. The following letter will show their friendly relations at this time:-

Ca.s.sEL, _den 19^{ten} Januar, 1839_.

WOHLGEBORENER, HOCHGEEHRTER HERR,-Gleich nach Empfang des Briefes von meinem Bruder habe ich Seine Hoheit den PrinzRegent um das Theater fur Ihr Concert gebeten und selbiges fur den ersten freien Tag, namlich nachsten Dienstag den 22^{sten} bewilligt erhalten.

Sollte dieser Brief Sie nun noch in Hannover antreffen, so werden Sie freilich zum Dienstag nicht hier seyn konnen; dann wurde die Bewilligung aber auch fur Freitag den 25^{sten} oder Dienstag den 29^{sten} ubertragen werden konnen. Da Sie nun jedenfals einen freien Tag und das Theater zu Ihrer Disposition finden werden, so lade ich Sie nochmals ein, uns mit Ihrer Hierherkunft zu erfreuen.

Eine vorlaufige Anzeige derselben in der hiesigen Zeitung werde ich sogleich veranstalten. Alle ubrigen Veranstalten zum Concert la.s.sen sich dann sehr bald besorgen. Da die Nachricht Ihrer Hierherkunft unter den Musikfreunden grossen Jubel erregen wird, so darf ich wohl hoffen, da.s.s Sie auch mit dem pecuniaren Erfolg des Concerts nicht unzufrieden sein werden. Mit vorzuglicher Hochachtung,

Ew. Wohlge., ergebenst, LOUIS SPOHR.