JAN KUBELIK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 60

JAN KUBELIK.

A REMARKABLE VIOLINIST.

The recently cabled news that Jan Kubelik, the now world-famed niusiciaji and, though but 25 years of age, the acknowledged firsfe violinist in the world, is to make a tour of Australia and New Zealand under the direction of Messrs John H and Kevin Tait-, the wellknown entrepreneurs, has created a flutter of excitement in musical circles, and there is no doubt that when the great player visits this part of the world at the latter part of the year he will have one of the most enthusiastic) leceptions evei accorded an artist. Kubelik is certainly a name to conjure with; hia phenomenal career reads almost like a romance, and at the present time will bear re-telling. In the month of July, 1880, Kubelik was born of humble parentage at .1 small village called Michle, near Prague, in Bohemia. His father was a market gardener, but found time to play the violin at his leisure. He possessed nothing more than ordinary talent, but as soon as young Jan was able to understand 1 , he was allowed the us« of the family fiddle. The child began to play and pick up all tha modest detail that his father could teach him ; and the fond parent at time his son wag barely six years eld had to confess that Jaa could pCay at aayrate as well as Irs. Family, friends commenced to pay attention to the enthusiasm of the father, and they soon readily acknowledged that the parental prid© in the little boy's doings was well grounded. This led to careful attention of a more serious nature being devoted to> his studies, and whilo he was still m his early youth he was by dint of careful saving- an the part of his parents enabled to continue his work at the Prague Conservatorium. S-eveik was the professor of the- violin at the Conservatorium, and though a splendid teacher, he had done nothing up to that time to make him famous. However, he soon found out what a marvellous boy had by good fortune come under his charge, and he was most assiduous in looking after young Jan's learning 1 . Progress was phenomenally quick and perfect, and as a result, when he had reached his 17th year, Sevcik declared that his pupil was, in his opinion, even at that time, the most remarkable violinist in the world. This might have he&n prejudice, but the professor soon had verification from, the critics of Prague when his pupij made his debut early in the year 1899. A concert was given at tho Koclolfinum Hall, Prague. The news' of the wonderful attainments of the young violinist had been talked about, and as a result an immense audience assembled to hear him play. His number was the enormously difficult Concerto of Paganini, a work seldom if ever attempted even by the greatest players on account of the almost insuperable difficulties. But in addition to this, Kubelik played Emil Sauret's extraordinarily difficult cadenza. All through the audience strained forward in expectation, and as the long-drawn, out final note died away in the silence, the pent-up excitement, which had. shown itself in quickly repressed outbursts, burst forth in one overwhelming pean of applause. Examiners, critic 3, and even the Director of the Consfcrvatoriunx joined in the wild scene of enthusiasm, and when all adequate enthusiasm had been used up, Sevcik led him on to thepiatfonn and publicly embracecl his pupil. Kubehk's faither had watched his son's progress with tha- keenest, of interest, but at the tim© of the first public appearance, he waa in a state of health that caused the family the gravest concern. Ho was able to see his son's triumph, but that was all. A few days after the concert, the father, who had denied! himself so willingly, was lying in his grave, and the problem of providing 1 for those left now devolved on Jan. "With characteristic initiative, he soon saw that he would have to seek his fortunes afield, and though but 18 he wended his way to Vienna, and landed in that great city with a very small supply of money. Fortune was kind to the dauntless spirit He was offered an engagemsnj to play at a cyrJist club's rnusicai evening, and what was more fortunate still, a rich Viennese Count was present at the gathering. Count Broscli© — for ttafc was his name — was a gre?t lover of mui ; c and a keen judge, and when he heard Kubelik play, he immediately invited him! to meet him. He was so struck with the boy's talent that he introduced him to the musical people, and arranged a series' of concerts, and what was perhaps more to tha 2?oint, lent, and subsequently gave, Kubalik a boautiful Guarnerius violin, coating over £1000. A leading musical critic had heard the artist ay on his 'own modest instrument, andl

■ s so struck Tvith his playing that he reiniirked, "Give the young man a fictile, and he will conquer the world." The enthusiastic Ctount heard, this, and his gift was the result. This violin is one of three most valuable instruments pos-sesised by Kubelik to-day, his other ones being another G-uarnerius and a Stradivarius, said tc have cost £2500. After his season in Vienna which, was an overwhelming success, he set out on a tour of Italy In Florence and Milan the interest in his concerts was so great that the .scats in the theatres could have been sold peveral times over. Then folowed his appearance in Rome. His playing was the talk of the- day, sund the excitement a,rcvi&ed by the Padere-wski and Pecknikof concerts in the past was utterly eclipsed". Even the late Pope Leo would' honour him, and in a meeting that took place the Pope said to Kubelik that he would welcome him as "II Paganini redivivo." At the Pope's hands he received the Order of St. Gregory. Soon after he had all Paris at his feet, Jind more 'honours, including the- Legion of Honour. The month following he mads his debut in London. He had coma with no flourish of trumpets, but the day following his first concert * the whole city was talking of his performance. Concert followed concert, and the excitement) over his playing grew in intensity, and everycne was resounding the praises of the modem Paganini. He had indeed created a furoreThe leaders of society vied with each other in securing him. for their functions, and m a few weeks he had made a moderate fortune. Veiilv this young violinist, not yet 25, he 9 utterly bewitched the world, with, his magics bow. Beginning, as the son of a poor Bohemian gardener, he 19 to-day pe<rhaps> the re? It hies t violinist living. Soon, after his London debut, liubelik went to America, and gave 70 concerts in 40 cities, and the enthusiasm was really intense and frequently most dramatic scenes were witnessed. In America he was a craze that even exceeded the historic Paderewski mania. The receipts from these 70 concerts were the greatest ever known in the United States. Kubelik was Vie. last professional artist to appear before Queen Victoria, and the first to appear before King Edward at Windsor.

Less than two years ago Kubelik married Countess Czasky, a young and most beautiful lady, and she -will probably accompany her distinguished husband on his forthcoming Australian and N'aw Zealand iour. which is to start in Melbourne in September next. Ths New Zealand season will consist of about 10 to 12 concerts, and in addition to visiting the four large centres, the management may ino'.ucle a'-iout four of the other laigs towns. There is every reason to expect that this will be on© of the most important musical events gi\ en in this part of the world, aud the managem^aia

fire to be congratulated on securing such a j worl-d wide celebrity.