FAMOUS ARTISTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22476, 21 July 1936, Page 11

FAMOUS ARTISTS

SIDELIGHTS ON CAEEEES KREISLER'S START IN BERLIN A FINANCIAL DISASTER An Italian speaking nine languages, a former associate of some of the greatest pianists and violinists in the world, and a leading figure in the musical circles of Berlin and Buenos Aires for many years, Signor Guido Carreras arrived from Sydney by the Niagara yesterday. Ten years ago he "discovered" I/a Mcri, the celebrated international dancer, who is now his wife, and who is to make a tour of tho Dominion. Signor Carreras began his career as an impresario in Berlin 30 years ago, when that city was regarded as tho musical centre of the world, and he has intimate memories of such worldfamed artists as the great Anna Pavlova, and those geniuses of tho violin, Fritz Kreisler and Jascha Hcifetz. It was in 1904 that he took Anna Pavlova from St. Petersburg to dance in Berlin. She was then at the height of her fame as a prima ballerina- of the Imperial Ballet, but her visit to Berlin was the first step in an international career. Thirty Shillings Taken Three years later, Signor Carreras, who was then almost exclusively interested in classical music, was associated with Fritz Kreisler in his first public concert in Berlin. Tho great violinist had boon acclaimed in Vienna, but was unknown to the general public in Berlin, and although his recital was an artistic success, tho financial results were disastrous. About 20 marks, in those days the equivalent of 30s, was taken. Signor Carreras explained, however, that in no capital town in Europe was a first concert ever a financial success. Krelsler's Tribute Signor Carreras has vivid recollections of the first appearance in Berlin of Jascha Hcifetz. He assisted Leopold Auor, one of the world's greatest violin teachers, to launch the 10-year-old boy upon his great career. Never was there such an assembly of great violinists as that which attended Heifot/.'s first recital, which was urivate. In the middle of the concert Kreisler rose to his feet and said, " I accompany this man." And this "man',' was a boy with golden curls. After that concert, Leopold Schmidt, of the Berliner Tngeblatt, most severe musical critic of the period, wrote, " Such a revelation like this youngster happens only once in a century." After 11 years in Berlin, Signor Carreras had to leave, as Italy had declared war on Germany. On account of his knowledge of German, he was sent to tho Italian Embassy in Buenos Aires, but did not return to Europe after the war liad ended. His knowledge of languages and of international law, which he had studied during his travels, gained for him the post of head translator to the Argentine Senate.